The newspaper otherwise known as the Grey Lady has made a decision: The waterboarding techniques employed by the U.S. government against suspected terrorists is not torture, which means the New York Times won’t be using the word. Public editor Clark Hoyt’s own article on the decision — which much of the media find themselves struggling with — doesn’t even use the word once. But the Times (and CBS News) conducted a poll, asking Americans whether they thought waterboarding was torture — and a resounding 71 percent believe waterboarding is torture (PDF), notes WhoRunsGov.
Funny that the Times‘ OWN ARTICLE ABOUT ITS OWN SURVEY doesn’t even mention this finding.
So the Times‘ own survey data informs them most of America believes waterboarding is torture. But the executive suite at the Grey Lady does not.
getreal
Why has no new magazine done a story on exactly what water boarding is with an example of someone being water boarded. I mean since Bill O’Reilly says it isn’t torture why won’t he be water boarded on his show.
Chitown Kev
The real news is that Arlen Specter is now a democrat and the Dems have a filibuster proof majority!!!!
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30456741/
Alec
@Chitown Kev: Wow. Goodbye, obstructionists.
Chitown Kev
@Alec:
Hello.
And Specter is good on LGBT issues too. Not great, but good.
Specter was always one Republican that I liked and respected.
Jaroslaw
I think there was a recent short article in THE WEEK about a former (United States) military guy who described the experience. I think he was anonymous, but his descriptions of it and the subsequent nightmares etc. and how it effected his life – it is hard to see how ANYONE could not view this as torture.
And yes, absolutely, if it is not torture, let Bill O’Reilly show us what a tough dude he is and be waterboarded on his show.
I’m not suggesting for a second that we coddle criminals or terrorists but WB is too much.
TANK
Hitchens believes it’s torture. He said anyone who does hasn’t experienced it, and should. The full experience, not the out of shape pundit sweeps softball.
Jared
@Jaroslaw:
Funny you say that, because I believe Hannity has said he’d be waterboarded to prove it isn’t torture/for charity. Olbermann’s been finding people who are experts and willing to do the waterboarding.
Oaklander
How long before there are injured-children lining up to BE waterboarded at the Folsom fair ?
rick
i could have sworn the only people on the news that don’t think waterboarding was torure are those on fox and morning joe. i do not consider right wing blowhards on talk radio to be the media.
Pragmatist
The answer to this question is that American media are very, very deferential to the government. That’s why.
blake
@Chitown Kev:
Do some research on Specter. He has a solid history of supporting most of the conservative Republican platform: Iraq War, warrantless wiretaps, etc.
Specter’s joining the Democrats means that there are more obstructionists in the Democratic Party who can band together to hurt progressive legislation. Yes, Specter’s leaving does hurt Republicans but it doesn’t mean that it will be easier for progressive to get the votes that they need.
Specter voted for the stimulus package but he also pushed to gut it against the recommendation of many economists who thought a bigger package was/is necessary. Now, Specter can caucus with Evan Bayh, Marry Landrieu, and others who are members of the conservative Blue Dog Democrats.
Jaroslaw
Jared #7 or anyone – can you provide the exact source to back that up; that Hannity would be waterboarded for charity? I would LOVE to see this.