Did Bush Really Admit to Waterboarding?

Image licensed under Creative Commons by Muhammad Adnan Asim

Did our current and 43rd President of the USA just publically admit to waterboarding US detainees and prisoners? If we heard correctly, then he just admitted to the use of torture on some - if not all - of these individuals. The very first sentence in the Wikipedia article regarding waterboarding is its definition as torture. We know the Wikipedia has been criticized for its use of consensus in its content, but the article on waterboarding gives something like 140 references linking waterboarding to torture in one form or another. True, not all of these are direct links and their reliability needs to be verified independently, but a strong case could be made that the outgoing and current administration has just publicly admitted to the use of torture.

President-elect Barack Obama has so far been mum on the topic of prosecution and punishment for this alleged crime. Now, with an open admission on the subject by the leader of the free world, the next leader seems to be left with little choice. Of course, he could leave that decision up to the incoming Atorney General or even a lower official or court. With the closure of Gitmo imminent, the detainees themselves might even file legal complaints regarding the alleged abuses. Or possibly some rights group(s) (Amnesty International, the ACLU and so on...) might even be filing legal claims against the outgoing administration.

We hate to say it, but what if the World Court in the Hague steps in (steps up?) and seizes Bush and Cheney and bring them to justice? Will we have a new precedent set? Wasn't Mr. Bush concerned with any of these potential consequences? What on earth prompted him to even make such a statement during his last press conference? Does he really see himself as some untouchable being whose judgement cannot - indeed, must not - be questioned by any other living being or body on the face of the earth? Or, does he see himself as some heroic figure, prepared to face any legal consequences that may be forthcoming? Of course, the Secret Service and other government organizations stand at the ready to protect our current leadership even after they are out of office. But, how far can this protection extend? Or, as we have said before, does he live in a Solipsist Nimbus? We wonder.

Israel halts attacks to let relief into Gaza

http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/01/12/israel.gaza/index.html

Israelis 'edge into urban Gaza'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7824288.stm

Rights Group: Israel Used Incendiary Bombs

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/01/12/world/main4714068.shtml

White Phosphorus

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_phosphorus_(weapon)

Gaza Airstrike Claims CBS Family Member

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/01/12/eveningnews/main4713882.shtml

Israel Escalation: New Targets Pounded

http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=6625809

Palestinian death toll tops 900: Gaza official

http://www.newsdaily.com/stories/tre5053r7-us-palestinians-israel/

Israel pounds Gaza

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28616710/

Israeli military enlists reserve units

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28616710/

Judge Rules Against Bush On Visitor Logs

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/01/10/national/main4712006.shtml

Obama: We Are Going To Close Gitmo

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/01/11/national/main4713038.shtml

CNNMoney: 2 million jobs may be lost in '09

http://money.cnn.com/2009/01/12/news/economy/economy_job_loss/index.htm?postversion=2009011210

6 job blogs you should be reading

http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/worklife/01/12/cb.work.blogs/index.html

Bush and Obama set to tag-team lawmakers on bailout

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28618062/

Bush May Help Obama Get TARP Funds


http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Economy/story?id=6626721&page=1

Analysis: Bailout likely to shift course

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28582222/

Obama hasn't asked for TARP funds

http://money.cnn.com/2009/01/12/news/bush.tarp/index.htm?cnn=yes

Bush defends administration response to Katrina

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090112/ap_on_go_pr_wh/bush_newser_katrina;_ylt=Ai6nqKXT.swL83qSf6_e9M2s0NUE

Bush defends interrogation record

http://news.yahoo.com/s/politico/17320;_ylt=Aof3a1pWNdcHjVatiOkk4M0DW7oF

Big 3 make their case

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28609237/

GM may need more money, COO says

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28619470/

Economy made few gains in Bush years

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28612358/

Prices for new homes creep up 0.7% in November: StatsCan

http://www.cbc.ca/money/story/2009/01/12/housing-index.html

Sea Level Rise Of One Meter Within 100 Years

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/01/090108101629.htm

Top 11 Compounds in US Drinking Water

http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn16397-top-11-compounds-in-us-drinking-water.html

Russia 'to resume gas supplies'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7824510.stm

Obama to meet Mexican president

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7823862.stm

Petrol bombs hit French synagogue

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7824009.stm

China TV faces propaganda charge

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7824255.stm

60 arrested over China's tainted milk

http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/01/12/china.milk/index.html

Shipping magnate seized in Greece

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7823866.stm

Attica Group

http://www.attica-group.com/

Warning over new US travel rules

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/7822794.stm

Storm-hit Fiji declares state of emergency

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090112/wl_nm/us_fiji_floods;_ylt=Aj6hE74dxFhEoQGmtP11XsQPLBIF

Mozambique floods kill 19; worse may lie ahead

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090112/ap_on_re_af/af_mozambique_floods;_ylt=AqVbbDQK_Qrgn.Ki8WmKngQPLBIF

Consumer group blasts FDA melamine decision

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28582585/

Safety council: Ban cell phones while driving

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28609580/

'Carbon cost' of Google revealed

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7823387.stm

Major airlines fly 2 years without fatality

http://www.cnn.com/2009/TRAVEL/01/12/us.air.safety/index.html

Baby selected to be free of cancer gene

http://www.newscientist.com/blogs/shortsharpscience/2009/01/is-this-the-start-of-designer.html

Keeping home life-support up when power goes out

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090112/ap_on_he_me/med_electricity_for_life;_ylt=Av4QvzOQeEbOZ5yUdvhsFYqs0NUE

Flu shot mismatched on B virus, early data suggests

http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2009/01/12/flu.html

Senate boosts wilderness protection across US

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090111/ap_on_go_co/congress_wilderness;_ylt=Ask1KSZTrjiv.O0B.s5e4T0PLBIF

Report: US Marshals misused as sports escorts

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090112/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/misused_marshals;_ylt=Ai40ySBcwNQuuep8HAUU8UCs0NUE

WWII remains believed to be 1,800 Germans found

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090112/ap_on_re_eu/eu_poland_germany_wwii_remains;_ylt=AvWcm6umkorF0iXOX.igGnas0NUE

Despite ricin threat, Seattle gay bars hopping

http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/01/11/ricin.seattle/index.html

Ricin

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ricin

Australians recruit for 'best job in the world'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7823812.stm

For Saturday, January 10, 2009

Israel warns Gaza of escalation

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7822049.stm


Accord signed in Russia gas row

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7822093.stm


Economists see longest recession since World War Two

http://www.newsdaily.com/stories/tre5090ql-us-usa-economy-forecast/


Flu Strain Resistant to Leading Flu Treatment


http://abcnews.go.com/Health/CuttingEdge/story?id=6614633&page=1


Is a 'Katrina-Like' Space Storm Brewing?

http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/JustOneThing/story?id=6615005&page=1


Bush readies request for rest of bailout cash

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28589265/

Obama releases analysis of economic plan

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28590554/


Grim job outlook turns bleaker

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28565918/

Obama, Dems look to revamp bailout

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28577991/


Stocks end sharply lower on bleak jobs data

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3683270/

Feds plan 'surge' if Mexico drug war spills over

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28589917/

Quakes feed fears of Yellowstone eruption

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28591072/

Salmonella outbreak linked to peanut butter

http://www.newsdaily.com/stories/tre5090hm-us-salmonella-usa/

CDC director is out, government e-mail says

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28585195/

Report: NASA inspector general not effective

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28582463/

Consumer group blasts FDA melamine decision

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28582585/

China honors scientists to spur innovation

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28576914/

Troubled GM cleans out its garage

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28581960/

U.S. advisers back 1st drug from DNA-altered animals

http://www.newsdaily.com/stories/tre50873t-us-gtc-atryn/


China officials 'lost millions'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7821747.stm

Lloyds pays $350m to end US case

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7821600.stm

Baltimore Mayor Charged With Theft

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/01/09/politics/main4710709.shtml

Sheila Dixon

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheila_Dixon

Zimbabwe troops 'eat elephants'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7820885.stm

Zimbabwe introduces new $50 billion note

http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/africa/01/10/zimbawe.currency/index.html

Best-selling writer among Madoff victims

http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/01/09/madoff.alexandra.penney/index.html

For Thursday, January 8, 2009

Israel and Gaza - 11 image licensed under Creative Commons by Amir Farshad Ebrahimi

Israel launches strikes on 60 Gaza targets

http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/01/08/israel.gaza/index.html

Kid brother dies as cameraman films

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/world/2009/01/07/holmes.gaza.boy.cnn

Israel accused over Gaza wounded

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7817926.stm

Gaza conflict map

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7812136.stm

2008-2009 Israel Gaza Conflict

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008%E2%80%932009_Israel%E2%80%93Gaza_conflict

U.N. halts Gaza aid, blaming Israel

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28404637/

Rockets fired from Lebanon

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7817247.stm

Who fired the Lebanon rockets?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7817408.stm

Report: US had unrealistic goals in Afghanistan

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090108/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/us_afghanistan;_ylt=AvAtoFVlli7xTscBRplQVIys0NUE

Congress asks judge to keep Bush records at WH

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090108/ap_on_go_pr_wh/congress_contempt;_ylt=As016OcCccimGueN.707ASms0NUE

Salmonella outbreak spreads to 42 states

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28545378/

'No progress' in Europe gas talks

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7817043.stm

Obama: Pass stimulus or slump goes on

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28555437/

CNNMoney: Got $500? Want a house?

http://money.cnn.com/2009/01/08/real_estate/thousand_dollar_homes/index.htm

Global economic woes deepen, more action urged

http://www.newsdaily.com/stories/tre4b70me-us-financial/

UK interest rates at all-time low

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7817453.stm

Mexico takes urgent economy steps

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7817106.stm

Asia job cuts amid economy woes

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7817093.stm

Do you have the keys to financial success?

http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/01/08/velshi.excerpt.investing/index.html

Bergen: How Bush botched terror war

http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/01/07/bergen.war.terror/index.html

India IT firm faces scandal probe

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7817449.stm

Satyam in crisis as India vows to end company fraud

http://www.newsdaily.com/stories/tre50616h-us-satyam/

SFO opens UK Madoff investigation

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7817584.stm

Melamine found in more U.S. infant formula

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28544768/

China jails democracy activist for 6 years

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28555277/

Army sends 'John Doe' letters to kin of dead

http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/01/07/john.doe.letters/index.html

US to lead new anti-pirate force

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7817611.stm

Twitter hit by security breaches

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7813558.stm

Police 'encouraged' to hack more

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7812353.stm

Sleeping Guards Cost Nuclear Plant $65K

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=6597151&page=1

Nine Sentenced to Jail for Homosexuality

http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=6600835

To Climate-change Worries, Add One More: Extended Mercury Threat

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/01/090107134635.htm

Avian Flu Becoming More Resistant To Antiviral Drugs

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/01/090107122658.htm

Lab discloses problem with vitamin D testing

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28557342/

USDA taking applications for Cattail eradication
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090108/ap_on_bi_ge/farm_scene_killing_cattails;_ylt=AsrbfpfDrOOPcDBhE.KNKOGs0NUE

Typha

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cattail

More species invasions feared for Great Lakes

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090108/ap_on_re_us/great_lakes_invasives;_ylt=Ah14zBPO6xIACNYaAGdGjVCs0NUE

Tilting At Wind Farms

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/01/090107092724.htm

Alaska trooper says politics slowed drug arrest

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090106/ap_on_re_us/palin_johnston_arrest;_ylt=AgblJYmuwvivfuCzC5.IPHwDW7oF

For Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Chesapeake Bay image licensed under Creative Commons by frances1972

Thanksgiving

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thanksgiving

'World mandate' on climate action

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7748247.stm

Universal test 'would slash Aids'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7749437.stm

Obama: Volcker to chair economic 'recovery' board

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27924569/

Who's Who: Obama's Dream Team

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/President44/story?id=6297764&page=1

Fed, in shift, floods system with cash

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27912025/

Durable goods orders tumbled in October

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27924990/

Feds warn of potential NYC terror plot

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27925893/

FBI Warns of Al Qaeda Attack on New York Commuter Trains

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=6338514&page=1

Iran says it has more than 5,000 centrifuges enriching uranium

http://www.yahoo.com/s/993403

Melamine Found in U.S. Infant Formula

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory?id=6335884

America's Looming Health Care Disaster

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/SmallBiz/story?id=6309491&page=1

Europe announces 200bn-euro plan

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7749382.stm

Europe's 10bn-euro space vision

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7749761.stm

Big drop in US consumer spending

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7750465.stm

China calls off EU summit over Dalai Lama visit

http://www.newsdaily.com/stories/tre4ap443-us-eu-china/

India navy defends piracy sinking

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7749486.stm

Britons in Thai 'no man's land'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7749510.stm

Solar Energy As A Sustainable Source Of European Economic Growth

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/11/081126091621.htm

Denmark Works To Cut Carbon Dioxide Emissions By 50%

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/11/081126075617.htm

Sea Level Rise Alters Chesapeake Bay's Salinity

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/11/081120122157.htm

NASA And DOE Collaborate On Dark Energy Research

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/11/081119171826.htm

Researchers: WWII Marines entombed on atoll

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27922629/

Supermarkets 'to halve bags used'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/7739229.stm

For Saturday, November 1, 2008

China, India fear 'huge' economic impact

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27486986/

National Debt Soars $500B In Under A Month

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/10/31/politics/main4562416.shtml

Evidence of a recession piles higher with new data

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081101/ap_on_bi_go_ec_fi/financial_meltdown;_ylt=AhbjDwMAl3XqGE0AmNtU50us0NUE

Melamine may already be in global food chain

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27475689/

US campaign enters final weekend

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/us_elections_2008/7703845.stm

Candidates vow to aid ailing auto industry

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27476286/

Obama 'unaware of illegal aunt'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/us_elections_2008/7704052.stm

Justice Ordered To Produce Wiretap Memos

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/11/01/national/main4562971.shtml

Bolivia Suspends U.S. Anti-Drug Efforts

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/11/01/world/main4562978.shtml

Schwarzenegger backs McCain

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/us_elections_2008/7703688.stm

How the states stack up - for Obama

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/us_elections_2008/7693060.stm

Palin Medical Wait, Day 11: Why the Delay?

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2008/11/day-six-and-sti.html

Libya's Gaddafi pitches tent in Kremlin garden

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20081101/od_uk_nm/oukoe_uk_russia_libya_tent;_ylt=AtB0BcuP1U0vzRvRScwHejrtiBIF

Obama Won the Debate - The Economy is Still a Loser

Sorry, we didn't have time to watch the debate in full. But we did catch the part where John McCain quoted Teddy Roosevelt as saying "Speak softly, but carry a big stick." It was definitely the "Gotcha" moment, and expertly played by Mr. Obama. We grinned with wicked glee as Obama stuck the dagger in and watched Mr. McCain squirm like an insect stuck on a red hot needle. It was a great moment. Obama did show McCain to be a chump.

What troubled us (besides our senior editor appearing to be mentally ill - or a mildly retarded stroke-victim), was the $ 53 Trillion While Elephant standing squarely at the front of the audience (see yesterday's post for a link to the commentary on this debt). Whoever the next POTUS will be (we're predicting Obama) will inherit a creaking, card house of financial debt that looks to be about 5000 times bigger than the financial crisis that is Zimbabwe. Obama may have won the debate - but the economy, the global economy, is still a loser. When it collapses, we're predicting worldwide famine and drought. And the war starts. McCain might be the best to be a war president, that just might be one of his greatest talents. But, Obama will still win. Will he be presiding over a financial apocalypse? Can any one person handle it? No.

We know that you're probably thinking, "Ridiculous. You sound like Chicken Little." Perhaps, but we just want to get our questions down before everything goes black. Or, should we say Red - as in Red China. Will we be borrowing funds from Russia and China? Or, will the nations go to war over funds, food and water? Is world Communism coming - to a future near you?

Central banks slash interest rates

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7658958.stm

IMF: U.S. set to go into deep recession

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27083134/

Retirement account losses near $2 trillion

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27073061/

Newsweek: Poor are not to blame for mess

http://www.newsweek.com/id/162789

How to recession-proof your family

http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/wayoflife/10/08/o.recession.proof.family/index.html

CNNMoney: What this economy means for you

http://money.cnn.com/2008/10/08/pf/money_crisis.moneymag/index.htm?postversion=2008100808

IMF: World economy to slow sharply, led by US

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081008/ap_on_bi_ge/world_economic_outlook;_ylt=AmsQH9.aOiD_ARRo0G4_sV4DW7oF

Facing Foreclosure? Here's What to Do

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/PersonalFinance/story?id=5894527&page=1

India leads S Asia market falls

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7658899.stm

N Korea 'building atomic warhead'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7658986.stm

Debate verdict

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7658313.stm

Debate fails to give McCain a game-changer

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/10/08/1511667.aspx

Analysis: No new ideas for new contagion

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27078786/

US: 2 American journalists missing in Lebanon

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081008/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_lebanon_missing_americans;_ylt=Aq1qeF51F46UCR7IJ_SKaLqs0NUE

Federal judge grants delay in Rezko sentencing

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081008/ap_on_re_us/fundraiser_trial;_ylt=AirBc9saY.Rl8fJXLmatQ9es0NUE

Man indicted in hacking of Palin's e-mail

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27083761/

China sets melamine levels for milk products

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081008/ap_on_re_as/as_china_tainted_milk;_ylt=AplNPQFqQ7Ro2MAr4EqRcj2s0NUE

Taiwan suggests SARS a China warfare plot

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20081007/od_uk_nm/oukoe_uk_taiwan_china_sars;_ylt=ApGP5viiSwYfaowGfJjnDiXtiBIF

Severe acute respiratory syndrome

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SARS

Feds to use chips to foil cactus thieves

http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/10/08/cactus.thefts.arizona.ap/index.html

H-bombshell - French FM says Israel might "eat" Iran

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7658728.stm

Bernard Kouchner

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernard_Kouchner

Rescue plan for UK banks unveiled

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7658277.stm

Waxman bashes AIG’s luxury spending

http://news.yahoo.com/s/politico/14372;_ylt=AjFkbgptR1xORmlG1fodJm4DW7oF

US budget deficit soars to 438 bln dlrs: congressional agency

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/useconomybudgetdeficitcongress;_ylt=AoX5asiEMurZag3u5EYuin8DW7oF