Americans in Thailand warned after release of CIA report

[quidnunc]

"What makes this all the worse is that a left wing liberal bleeding-heart President signed the treaty outlawing torture. I wish he could be retroactively impeached." Are you talking about Reagan or Bush the elder? The treaty came into being in the US in 1988 under their regime. Bill Clinton was not anywhere near a "left wing bleeding heart liberal", unfortunately, and that is who I'm guessing you are referring to. Actually, I think Nuremberg pretty well settled the question on torture and war crimes. Perhaps that is what some are justly afraid of.

Isn't Reagan the President who ran up huge deficits and bailed out the failed Savings and Loan institutions? That makes him a certified dyed-in-the-wool Socialist.

[zydeco]

Not really a problem. I'm not an American. I'm from Texas.

[slipperylobster]

just say your canadian end of..everyone likes them...

LOL...Really?

I really do not think everybody likes people from Canada because they are Canadian.

It has more to do with how the Canadians sit back and enjoy their freedom and security without doing anything at all. Easy living next door to the most powerful country in the world, sitting on their haunches while chewing walrus fat and drinking moosehead beer...eh? Free loaders...at best. And annoying, opinionated ones, at that.

Edited December 10, 2014 by slipperylobster

[quidnunc]

Maybe the Thais should worry. There have been far more terrorist killings of Thais in Thailand since 9/11 than there have been of Americans in America.

That is of course because the Thais run Gitmo Kill terrorists all over the world Torture terrorists regularly in Bangkok Butt into everyone elses' business the world over Terrorists are terrorists and do what terrorists do.

And US governments do what they do best, selling war to its people that is.

This is a common misconception about how things work in America, even by many Americans.

The U.S. government does not 'sell' war to the American people. They go to war, then try to justify it to the American people who have no power to stop what is happening.

The only time in modern history, meaning since the end of the Vietnam war, that the U.S. tried to 'sell' war was after the attacks on 9/11. But, they not only sold war to the American people, but to many other powerful countries in the world; England, Australia and France to mention a few. And they happily got on the war boat and sailed to the middle east.

If you are to have any understanding of how things work in America, you have to realize that, no matter who is in the White House, the U.S. government DOES NOT REPRESENT THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES. They represent the rich and powerful only.

You might find that you can narrow it down a bit further as to who actually runs the US Government, it might in fact point to that horrible little dump of a so called "country" that is full of lying, racist, corrupt xenophobes that have started and financed almost every major conflict since about 1 AD. and No, I do not mean Thailand......but they fit 3 out of 4.

Finally, someone unafraid to tell the truth. Down with Luxembourg!!!!

[SinCityGr8One]

Actually I'm kind of seriously asking the question ... if you are aggressively approached to identify your nationality by someone who appears to have a nationality probably hostile to the USA, what do you do?

Just say, "Ja, I Kommen frum Switzerland where I maik der cheeze mit der holes in it!" Ok, Good, Ja? Ok, Bye, Dank You!

[slipperylobster]

Not really a problem. I'm not an American. I'm from Texas.

Ahhhhh.... a Mexican !

[mercman24]

just read the post about one party getting back at another the reason for the publication,, why in hell's name have they done this, and put all American lives at risk , if i was an American i would never vote for this party again

[Emster23]

Russians seem to be the ones wearing US flag articles. I'm an American: bring it on mofo's! I'll bleed all over ya! I've lived long enough anyway.... traffic or stray shots far greater danger, as has been pointed out. I also go out of my way to meet Mid East Muslims here in sin city. Have a good friend from axis of evil aka Iran. No surprises from that report, although some countries that said didn't have black sites may be trying to come up with some sort of spin.

[pegman]

Maybe the Thais should worry. There have been far more terrorist killings of Thais in Thailand since 9/11 than there have been of Americans in America.

That is of course because the Thais run Gitmo Kill terrorists all over the world Torture terrorists regularly in Bangkok Butt into everyone elses' business the world over Terrorists are terrorists and do what terrorists do.

And US governments do what they do best, selling war to its people that is.

This is a common misconception about how things work in America, even by many Americans.

The U.S. government does not 'sell' war to the American people. They go to war, then try to justify it to the American people who have no power to stop what is happening.

The only time in modern history, meaning since the end of the Vietnam war, that the U.S. tried to 'sell' war was after the attacks on 9/11. But, they not only sold war to the American people, but to many other powerful countries in the world; England, Australia and France to mention a few. And they happily got on the war boat and sailed to the middle east.

If you are to have any understanding of how things work in America, you have to realize that, no matter who is in the White House, the U.S. government DOES NOT REPRESENT THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES. They represent the rich and powerful only.

You are off about the French, remember Freedom Fries.

[Petchou]

Yes all goes to show that if you read Paul Craig Roberts excellent blogs (Google it if you do not know of it) you would have been aware he is no idiot and been informed way before this how evil and corrupt Washington is and has been over the past 14 years or so. As we Brits also speak native English we sometimes get mistaken for US citizens so be warned fellow Brits and also take care. I sometimes want to wear a big sign that says "Don't blame me I am NOT an American" but alas not very proud these days to be British either with our terrible Washington puppet Government we need to get rid of, and Europe, Canada and Australia are not much better either.

Let it be known I truly oppose both US and UK administrations over these and similar terrorist style activities they participate in. Statistically the US have killed and maimed more innocent people and children than practically all the world's other nations put together including ISIS and other Muslim terrorist groups. So that makes the US in many open minded folks eyes, and not without good reason, the Worlds biggest terrorist state so is it any wonder they are hated far and wide. Sadly though it is not the people but their sick administration with no decent alternative political group as yet for them to vote for, at least in the UK we DO have an established ready to rule without Tory shackles centre based party we can if sensible elect in next May

As I say it is high time at least the US and UK citizens did something about removing their respective evil corrupt Governments before it is too late. I trust you are all aware that nuclear war with Russia is not so far fetched now after Washington's terrible lies and demonization of Russia and their highly popular leader and capable leader Putin. I am not particularly pro Russian but I would easily side with them these days than Washington and that is a complete about turn for me and many others over the past 10 to 15 years. Personally I am neither Capitalist nor Communist/Socialist but favour real people and true more honourable centre based politics that is open minded enough to adopt all that is good form both the destructive extremes.

Anyway back on topic, yes it is best to keep your heads down right now and in the circumstances after this report do not expect any sympathy unless you too openly and rightly denounce Washington and particularly the old evil Bush regime. NO, before anyone incorrectly says it again, I am not Anti American, any more so than the huge mass of US citizens are these days. I simply share their views as to being strongly anti Washington and the undemocratic corporate run police state nation the US has corruptly become. Yes I feel the UK are not a lot better either. Just open your minds folks and take any blinkers off that you may have on, and seek the truth not the lies and misinformation fed to us all by the Western media every day.

All my respect, you said it all in very rational and factual way. You can add Israel to the duo of USA and UK in terms of killings...

[6NS]

Maybe the Thais should worry. There have been far more terrorist killings of Thais in Thailand since 9/11 than there have been of Americans in America.

That is of course because the Thais run Gitmo Kill terrorists all over the world Torture terrorists regularly in Bangkok Butt into everyone elses' business the world over Terrorists are terrorists and do what terrorists do.

And US governments do what they do best, selling war to its people that is.

This is a common misconception about how things work in America, even by many Americans.

The U.S. government does not 'sell' war to the American people. They go to war, then try to justify it to the American people who have no power to stop what is happening.

The only time in modern history, meaning since the end of the Vietnam war, that the U.S. tried to 'sell' war was after the attacks on 9/11. But, they not only sold war to the American people, but to many other powerful countries in the world; England, Australia and France to mention a few. And they happily got on the war boat and sailed to the middle east.

If you are to have any understanding of how things work in America, you have to realize that, no matter who is in the White House, the U.S. government DOES NOT REPRESENT THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES. They represent the rich and powerful only.

Your right,

They represent the IMF/World Bank only,,,,,at all times.

The people and Politicians have no say.

[soalbundy]

wear a British flag,we're peaceful, but you would have to learn to speak English first.

[sgtsabai]

The report has absolutely nothing to do with Democrats (aparently I can't say demoRats and repugthuglicans anymore) getting back at Republicans. It has to do with uncovering the truth. The truth most of the world has known and Americans have buried their head up their respective asses over. It sickens me to hear the defense of torture, there is none. It sickens me even worse to here the calls for torture from those that don't know anything about anything. I can understand those that have been in the "fire". Yes, I can see revenge, anger, for the wish to do damage to people, been there, done that. That doesn't make torture right, never has, never will.

[soalbundy]

Yes all goes to show that if you read Paul Craig Roberts excellent blogs (Google it if you do not know of it) you would have been aware he is no idiot and been informed way before this how evil and corrupt Washington is and has been over the past 14 years or so. As we Brits also speak native English we sometimes get mistaken for US citizens so be warned fellow Brits and also take care. I sometimes want to wear a big sign that says "Don't blame me I am NOT an American" but alas not very proud these days to be British either with our terrible Washington puppet Government we need to get rid of, and Europe, Canada and Australia are not much better either.

Let it be known I truly oppose both US and UK administrations over these and similar terrorist style activities they participate in. Statistically the US have killed and maimed more innocent people and children than practically all the world's other nations put together including ISIS and other Muslim terrorist groups. So that makes the US in many open minded folks eyes, and not without good reason, the Worlds biggest terrorist state so is it any wonder they are hated far and wide. Sadly though it is not the people but their sick administration with no decent alternative political group as yet for them to vote for, at least in the UK we DO have an established ready to rule without Tory shackles centre based party we can if sensible elect in next May

As I say it is high time at least the US and UK citizens did something about removing their respective evil corrupt Governments before it is too late. I trust you are all aware that nuclear war with Russia is not so far fetched now after Washington's terrible lies and demonization of Russia and their highly popular leader and capable leader Putin. I am not particularly pro Russian but I would easily side with them these days than Washington and that is a complete about turn for me and many others over the past 10 to 15 years. Personally I am neither Capitalist nor Communist/Socialist but favour real people and true more honourable centre based politics that is open minded enough to adopt all that is good form both the destructive extremes.

Anyway back on topic, yes it is best to keep your heads down right now and in the circumstances after this report do not expect any sympathy unless you too openly and rightly denounce Washington and particularly the old evil Bush regime. NO, before anyone incorrectly says it again, I am not Anti American, any more so than the huge mass of US citizens are these days. I simply share their views as to being strongly anti Washington and the undemocratic corporate run police state nation the US has corruptly become. Yes I feel the UK are not a lot better either. Just open your minds folks and take any blinkers off that you may have on, and seek the truth not the lies and misinformation fed to us all by the Western media every day.

All my respect, you said it all in very rational and factual way. You can add Israel to the duo of USA and UK in terms of killings...

wrong there, we Brits don't do things like that, we let other people do it for us

[EnglishJohn]

You America haters should go search the internet and see what ISIS are doing to people - like stringing a woman out in the street along a pole then cutting her throat like a pig, or beheading young children.

Then go look at which countries are doing anything about it. Then go to bed tonight and feel safe while you sleep in your blissful hypocrisy.

[The Deerhunter]

Actually I'm kind of seriously asking the question ... if you are aggressively approached to identify your nationality by someone who appears to have a nationality probably hostile to the USA, what do you do?

Safer in the closet, don't come out until this dies down. If forced on a Pattaya sidewalk, say Canada, then point toward this guy

Article-Lead-wide6266195611b7vnimage.related.articleLeadwide.729x410.11b29w.png1414120940331.jpg-620x349.jpg

and say, "Yah, there's one of thooose Americans right over there, eh?"

Looks like Polynesian tattoos. Perhaps he is from American Samoa! 555.

[hobz]

We have tortured some folks / Obama

[impulse]

You America haters should go search the internet and see what ISIS are doing to people - like stringing a woman out in the street along a pole then cutting her throat like a pig, or beheading young children.

Then go look at which countries are doing anything about it. Then go to bed tonight and feel safe while you sleep in your blissful hypocrisy.

And if America Bush and Cheney, Rumsfeld and Wolfowitz hadn't gone into the Middle East and screwed the pooch, there wouldn't be an ISIS.

America should turn all of them over to a war crimes tribunal in the Hague if asked. To show the world that NOBODY is above international law.

Edited December 10, 2014 by impulse

[hobz]

You America haters should go search the internet and see what ISIS are doing to people - like stringing a woman out in the street along a pole then cutting her throat like a pig, or beheading young children.

Then go look at which countries are doing anything about it. Then go to bed tonight and feel safe while you sleep in your blissful hypocrisy.

You mean the ISIS that us supported when they wanted to take down the assad government? You mean that ISIS?

[Jingthing]

...

But Israel and it's atrocities is another matter and not for this thread.

But y'all couldn't help yourself, could ya?

Irrational Israel demonization ... it's hard to have any political thread without that ugly OBSESSION rearing it's head.

Edited December 10, 2014 by Jingthing

[Jean Pierre Jacquot]

Hope nobody is surprised. The US has ALWAYS been above any international laws and using torture is just one of the many things these terrorists have been doing in recent years. There are definitely on the same line like North Korea.

[Loptr]

Actually the US government has warned Americans everywhere, not just in Thailand. Ashamed that our government stooped to such lows as torture, but also proud that we as a people are able to admit it our flaws so we can move forward. Don't find that in many other countries.

I might agree with you if the intent is to come clean on US interrogation tactics during this time, but sadly this is not the case... The CIA interrogation tactics in question were stopped 6 years ago... It serves no purpose to release this information to the world now, unless there is a political motive, which is where we are... The Dems lose the Congress on Jan 1st and this report would have never seen the light of day with the GOP in control... This is a last-desperate attempt by the Dems to attack the GOP in the run up to the 2016 elections... No more, no less... What, you really think anyone in the current administration has any moral compass and would not have done the same? This is just more of the "it's Bush's fault" mantra...

[lust]

just say your canadian end of..everyone likes them...

LOL...Really?

I really do not think everybody likes people from Canada because they are Canadian.

It has more to do with how the Canadians sit back and enjoy their freedom and security without doing anything at all. Easy living next door to the most powerful country in the world, sitting on their haunches while chewing walrus fat and drinking moosehead beer...eh? Free loaders...at best. And annoying, opinionated ones, at that.

Wow, where exactly are you from? You think Canadians live in igloos right? You think this Canadian soldier was wounded fighting walruses in the North Pole?

Edited December 10, 2014 by lust

[Jingthing]

I'm a democrat and I don't get the purpose of this either. Americans abroad already have some tough things to deal with. We want to keep our heads intact, yeah?

[BradinAsia]

The NewYork times has an interesting article on this topic

"White House and Republicans Clash Over C.I.A. Torture Report

By MARK LANDLER and PETER BAKER

DEC. 8, 2014

WASHINGTON — With the long-awaited Senate report on the use of torture by the United States government — a detailed account that will shed an unsparing light on the Central Intelligence Agency’s darkest practices after the September 2001 terrorist attacks — set to be released Tuesday, the Obama administration and its Republican critics clashed over the wisdom of making it public, and the risk that it will set off a backlash overseas."

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/09/us/politics/white-house-and-gop-clash-over-torture-report.html

Yes, leave it to our wonderful liberal Democrats to scatter information that should be in-house (even if true) all over the world and put Americans in danger.

Those cobras would kill their own mothers to score a political point.

Based on my observations of the Dems and the Reps since 1952, whatever the Dems do

(or are even alleged to have done) the Reps will put a negative spin on it.

Such monotonous and boring behavior, just watching it could turn you to a pillar of salt.

[american12bthai]

Maybe the Thais should worry. There have been far more terrorist killings of Thais in Thailand since 9/11 than there have been of Americans in America.

That is of course because the Thais run Gitmo Kill terrorists all over the world Torture terrorists regularly in Bangkok Butt into everyone elses' business the world over Terrorists are terrorists and do what terrorists do.

how much terror, could a terrorist tare(?..lol) if a terrorist could tare terror?

[sgtsabai]

Many won't like this but please listen. This is from a right wing hero, Mr. "bomb, bomb". I know most right wingers at least won't stay tuned for the second speaker. The 1st Senator covered most of it anyway. http://www.c-span.org/video/?323106-7/senators-mccain-rockefeller-cia-interrogations

[dotpoom]

"Release of U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence’s report on the CIA’s Rendition, Detention and Interrogation Program".

Somehow, i can't see the average Mr. or Mrs.Thai rushing down to the local library to get a copy of this report.

[kleelof]

there could be some fanatics who don't understand that this American tourist has nothing to do with the crimes of his government.

This could be the understatement of the year !

Pretty much explains the whole philosophy of terrorism.

Not to excuse this behavior in any way. But, I'm certain many involved in terrorism don't understand why their brothers and sisters were killed because of things that had absolutely nothing to do with them.

[Partigo]

car720 - onya mate... don't know what else to say...Glad to know at least 3 of us see / have seen it.

Here's a quote from 'The Adelaide Advertiser' (1936) front page : "Adolf Hitler has Mellowed from a Firebrand to a Peacemaker" *********we have fallen so far since then..