Sunday, October 09, 2005
Beck to purported torturer: "I appreciate your service"
Beck to purported torturer: "I appreciate your ... [Media Matters]
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After devoting a portion of the October 6 broadcast of his nationally syndicated radio show to discussing pending legislation that would prohibit "cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment" of detainees held by the U.S. government, Glenn Beck interviewed a caller who claimed to have worked as an "intelligence officer" and to have "extracted intelligence" from U.S.-held prisoners by torturing them. The caller said his preferred methods of torture included burning the retinas of prisoners' eyes with high-powered halogen lamps and blowing out prisoners' eardrums with high-pressure water and air. He also claimed to have known "a contractor that did drilling on live teeth." After hearing the caller describe these torture techniques, Beck responded, "I've got to tell you, I appreciate your service." During the interview, Beck asked the caller if he ever had trouble sleeping at night. When the caller answered, "No," Beck responded, "Good for you." He later added, "[W]hen all is said and done, I'm glad people like you are on our side."
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Imagine, if you will, a reporter for Al Jazeera, say, interviewing a member of Al Qaeda who is describing how he tortures captured American soldiers; and then the reporter says, "I'm glad people like you are on our side." "I appreciate your service." "No trouble sleeping at night? Good for you." Essentially, "keep up the good work."
I'd venture to guess that we would bomb Al Jazeera. What do you think?
Duck and cover, Glenn. Duck and cover.
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