Topic: Waterboarding

ProPublica issued a major retraction regarding its reporting on CIA Director nominee Gina Haspel. The original report incorrectly claimed Haspel was personally involved in the waterboarding of Abu Zubaydah. NPR interviewed ProPublica's editor-in-chief, who admitted the "chief of base" at the time was a different individual. CIA contractor James Mitchell also spoke out, defending Haspel and accusing the media of a smear campaign.

Gina Haspel has been nominated as the first female director of the CIA, sparking controversy over her past oversight of "black site" prisons. Critics highlight her involvement in the enhanced interrogation of Abu Zubaydah and the destruction of interrogation tapes. The discussion also mentions a report regarding former intelligence officers running for office as Democrats.

Donald Trump signals a change in his position on waterboarding after consulting with General James Mattis, who argued that the practice is ineffective. Media critics debate whether this represents a "flip-flop" or a sign of healthy temperament and flexibility in a leader.

Declassified CIA documents reveal that Al-Qaeda suspect Abu Zubaydah was waterboarded 83 times, despite medical assessments suggesting he was cooperative before the "enhanced interrogation" began. The report highlights a request for legal immunity from Attorney General John Ashcroft and the use of private psychologists as consultants for the program.

In a surprising shift, the hosts of The View describe Donald Trump's response to the Brussels attacks as "reasonable." They discuss his calls for maximum interrogation techniques and border security, with some panelists admitting his message resonated with them. The discussion also touches on the idea that Western rhetoric is being blamed for fueling terrorist fires.

Comedian Larry Wilmore interviews a panel of Black voters who support Donald Trump, expressing shock at their rationale. One panelist describes Trump as a "gangster" and relates his lifestyle—gold, private jets, and models—to the hip-hop community. The segment also features a Black Muslim Trump supporter who jokes about being waterboarded for information on Islam.

Dr. Ben Carson's debate performance is criticized following his refusal to rule out waterboarding or "enhanced interrogation" techniques. Carson argued that war should not be "politically correct," a stance interpreted by some as a disregard for international law and the Geneva Conventions.

Michael Hayden's career as a "government bureaucrat" is examined, including his background as an equipment handler for the Pittsburgh Steelers. The hosts mock his assertion that the death of "3,000 countrymen" (a number they dispute) gave him the authority to bypass Congress and the President to initiate new surveillance and torture programs. They conclude that Hayden's public appearances are a desperate attempt to keep himself out of prison.

The confirmation hearing of James Comey for FBI Director is critiqued, specifically his previous role on the board of HSBC during its money laundering settlement. Comey's stance on "shield laws" for journalists is discussed, with the hosts arguing that any legislative "carve-out" for national security renders the First Amendment protections moot.

Former CIA official Jose Rodriguez claims that high-value detainee Abu Zubaydah recommended waterboarding for other "brothers" to provide them with a religious excuse to cooperate without sinning. The officials argue that these techniques were not meant to elicit immediate information but to move detainees into a "zone of cooperation." This rationale is met with skepticism, suggesting the officials are rationalizing war crimes.

A panelist on C-SPAN notes the irony that more journalists have undergone voluntary waterboarding to prove it is torture than there are actual terrorists who have been subjected to the procedure. Additionally, it is mentioned that thousands of U.S. servicemen undergo waterboarding as part of their survival training, making them the primary group currently experiencing the technique.

Bradley Manning is reportedly considering a plea bargain in his court-martial case. Meanwhile, former CIA agent John Kiriakou was sentenced to prison under the Espionage Act after publicly discussing the agency's use of waterboarding.

During the Republican debate, Herman Cain and Michele Bachmann expressed support for waterboarding, characterizing it as an "enhanced interrogation technique" rather than torture. Bachmann claimed the ACLU is currently running the CIA under the Obama administration. The hosts express disbelief that the legality of torture remains a mainstream political debate in 2011.

Author Richard Miniter's new book "Mastermind" details the life of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed (KSM), claiming the 9/11 architect plotted the 1990 assassination of Rabbi Meir Kahane in New York. The book explores KSM's time as a student in North Carolina and clarifies that his "182 waterboardings" referred to individual applications of water during limited sessions rather than separate procedures.

Colonel Lawrence Wilkerson, former chief of staff to Colin Powell, claims the Iraq War was motivated by oil interests and labels Donald Rumsfeld "delusional." The segment addresses the legal risks facing former Bush officials regarding waterboarding and international travel restrictions.

The Bin Laden raid is characterized as a final coup by the CIA and the military-industrial complex, rendering President Obama a "puppet" who was not in the loop. Conservative media figures like Sean Hannity are noted for pushing a "Thank Bush" meme, arguing that the raid justifies the previous administration's use of waterboarding. The hosts argue this event has fundamentally shifted the geopolitical game.

Bruce Fine rants about the executive branch's claimed authority to place American citizens on assassination hit lists without judicial review. He characterizes the "War on Terror" as a perpetual war against a tactic rather than a specific entity, effectively turning the entire planet into a battlefield. Fine also criticizes the Obama administration's refusal to prosecute prior officials for waterboarding and FISA violations.

A "laundry list" of actions taken by the Obama administration is presented as the cause of friction with the CIA. These include banning waterboarding, attempting to close Guantanamo Bay, and ordering the prosecution of CIA officers for harsh interrogation techniques.

The hosts investigate the background of White House counterterrorism advisor John Brennan and his ties to the Analysis Corporation. They discuss the ongoing friction between the CIA and the Obama administration, noting that Brennan previously withdrew from CIA director consideration due to his past association with controversial interrogation techniques.

Sarah Palin's convention speech criticized the Obama administration's approach to national security and the handling of the Christmas Day "crotch bomber," Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab. The discussion highlights her use of terms like "homicide bomber" and her implied support for enhanced interrogation techniques.