2002 Justice memo OKs CIA interrogation tactics, page 1

2002 Justice memo OKs CIA interrogation tactics

breakingne ws.nypost.com

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Justice Department in 2002 told the CIA that its interrogators would be safe from prosecution for violations of anti-torture laws if they believed "in good faith" that harsh techniques used to break prisoners' will would not cause "prolonged mental harm."

So the degree of torture is OK as long as it is within the agreed definition.

The Aug. 1, 2002, legal opinion signed by then-Assistant Attorney General Jay Bybee was issued the same day he wrote a memo for then-White House Counsel Alberto Gonzales defining torture as only those "extreme acts" that cause pain similar in intensity to that caused by death or organ failure.

So if it is done right and is not as extreme as to "cause pain similar in intensity to that caused by death or organ failure" the it is legal?

Justice spokesman Peter Carr said Thursday the interrogation techniques currently authorized by the Bush administration are legal

Is there a difference between legal and justified?

This quote is disturbing.

Tenet's memo also authorized the use of both "enhanced techniques" and "standard techniques," and said no other methods could be used "unless otherwise approved by headquarters."

Other than enhanced and standard, what else is there the headquarters would approve?

breakingne ws.nypost.com
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