Comments on: “Fair and Balanced” in Academia: Twisting Recent Torture History in the Journal “Nature” http://firedoglake.com/2009/05/27/fair-and-balanced-in-academia-twisting-recent-torture-history-in-the-journal-nature/ Firedoglake weblog Sat, 18 Feb 2012 04:28:23 -0600 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.2 By: radiofreewill http://firedoglake.com/2009/05/27/fair-and-balanced-in-academia-twisting-recent-torture-history-in-the-journal-nature/#comment-1908051 radiofreewill Thu, 28 May 2009 14:42:33 +0000 http://firedoglake.com/2009/05/27/fair-and-balanced-in-academia-twisting-recent-torture-history-in-the-journal-nature/#comment-1908051 <p>Thanks, Jeff, for a great reply! Imvho, you’re doing Great Work! </p> <p>I hope your efforts, Dr. Bond’s efforts, and - I’m sure - the vast majority of APA Members’ efforts, will lead to a Top to Bottom House Cleaning, and Re-Dedication to the Principles of Healing - over Inhumanly Weaponizing the Profession to be a tool in the service of a Depraved Ideology.</p> <p>The Mental Health Profession has the opportunity, imvho, to wash-off the Bush-Slime and get its professional house in order by clearly re-stating their value proposition to their clients, and each other, as part of inviting America to willingly come to them for help with life’s difficulties. </p> <p>If successful, imvho, it would be a Model example for Re-making the Health Professions, in general.</p> <p>Thanks for fighting the Good Fight!</p> Thanks, Jeff, for a great reply! Imvho, you’re doing Great Work!

I hope your efforts, Dr. Bond’s efforts, and – I’m sure – the vast majority of APA Members’ efforts, will lead to a Top to Bottom House Cleaning, and Re-Dedication to the Principles of Healing – over Inhumanly Weaponizing the Profession to be a tool in the service of a Depraved Ideology.

The Mental Health Profession has the opportunity, imvho, to wash-off the Bush-Slime and get its professional house in order by clearly re-stating their value proposition to their clients, and each other, as part of inviting America to willingly come to them for help with life’s difficulties.

If successful, imvho, it would be a Model example for Re-making the Health Professions, in general.

Thanks for fighting the Good Fight!

]]> By: Jeff Kaye http://firedoglake.com/2009/05/27/fair-and-balanced-in-academia-twisting-recent-torture-history-in-the-journal-nature/#comment-1907879 Jeff Kaye Thu, 28 May 2009 04:02:53 +0000 http://firedoglake.com/2009/05/27/fair-and-balanced-in-academia-twisting-recent-torture-history-in-the-journal-nature/#comment-1907879 <p>I assume you are talking about how Mitchell could bully his agenda past FBI and supposedly even some CIA protests, i.e., the interrogators on scene. The answer it they were sponsored from above, and the chain of command was at work. Even the story of how Soufan left is not totally clear (as to when, who said it, etc.). One JPRA source of mine told me that Mitchell and these types are good at bullying, and that’s just what happened. But I tend to believe, and the many cables back to CIA must make clear, that they were sponsored from above. </p> <p>Another complaint about Soufan, and those who questioned him in the Senate recently, is why this aspect of the affair wasn’t more closely questioned.</p> <p>Since when (another way to put it) does a contracting CIA interrogator pull rank on FBI/CIA officers on scene. I believe FBI does tend to stand down when CIA pulls national security on them, but what about the other CIA officers (assuming people like Scott Shumate are telling us anything like the real story)?</p> I assume you are talking about how Mitchell could bully his agenda past FBI and supposedly even some CIA protests, i.e., the interrogators on scene. The answer it they were sponsored from above, and the chain of command was at work. Even the story of how Soufan left is not totally clear (as to when, who said it, etc.). One JPRA source of mine told me that Mitchell and these types are good at bullying, and that’s just what happened. But I tend to believe, and the many cables back to CIA must make clear, that they were sponsored from above.

Another complaint about Soufan, and those who questioned him in the Senate recently, is why this aspect of the affair wasn’t more closely questioned.

Since when (another way to put it) does a contracting CIA interrogator pull rank on FBI/CIA officers on scene. I believe FBI does tend to stand down when CIA pulls national security on them, but what about the other CIA officers (assuming people like Scott Shumate are telling us anything like the real story)?

]]> By: Jeff Kaye http://firedoglake.com/2009/05/27/fair-and-balanced-in-academia-twisting-recent-torture-history-in-the-journal-nature/#comment-1907861 Jeff Kaye Thu, 28 May 2009 03:56:04 +0000 http://firedoglake.com/2009/05/27/fair-and-balanced-in-academia-twisting-recent-torture-history-in-the-journal-nature/#comment-1907861 <p>Thanks for adding to the discussion here, Trudy. Many of you may not know, but Dr. Bond is a licensed psychologist who has been working tirelessly to hold some of the torturing psychologists accountable for what they have done, through ethics charges at APA, by challenging licenses, and other legal avenues. </p> <p>Some of her amazing, and I know often frustrating work, she described at this interesting article at <a href="http://www.counterpunch.org/bond05192008.html" rel="nofollow">Counterpunch</a>:</p> <blockquote><p>What follows is a synopsis of my attempts to achieve the VERY response YOU PLEDGED in your letter to the ACLU.</p> <p>April 11, 2007 by Facsimile<br /> To: Stephen Behnke, APA Director of Ethics<br /> Dr. Behnke:<br /> I am filing an ethics complaint against Dr. John F. Leso, a member of APA since 1996. The behavior at issue is participation in cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment as documented in the INTERROGATION LOG of DETAINNEE 063 at Guantanamo.<br /> Sincerely,<br /> Dr. Trudy Bond</p> <p>April 11, 2007<br /> From: APA Office of Ethics<br /> Dear Dr. Bond:<br /> This is to acknowledge your inquiry received April 11, 2007 indicating your intent to file a complaint against Dr. John F. Leso . . . Once your completed complaint form is received, we will determine whether it is within the time limits for filing . . . We await your response.</p> <p>April 15, 2007<br /> To: APA Office of Ethics<br /> Fr: Dr. Trudy Bond<br /> Member Against Whom You Are Complaining: Dr. John Franklin Leso. Major John Franklin Leso was licensed by a psychologist by the state of New York and retains license number 013492 until July, 2009. He is currently an active APA member and has been since 1996.</p> <p>September 4, 2007<br /> To: Stephen Behnke, APA Director of Ethics<br /> Fr: Dr. Trudy Bond<br /> Attached is a copy of the form I submitted to the APA Ethics Committee on April 15, 2007 regarding APA member John Leso. I have received no acknowledgment of or response to said complaint, and therefore am resubmitting this complaint.</p> <p>December 24, 2007<br /> To: Stephen Behnke, APA Director of Ethics, by email<br /> Fr: Dr. Trudy Bond<br /> I filed a second formal complaint against John Leso on September 4, 2007 after i had received no contact form APA regarding the first complaint filed in April of this year. The APA Office of Ethics has not even acknowledged receipt of the complaints I filed.</p> <p>December 24, 2007<br /> Fr: Stephen Behnke, APA Director of Ethics<br /> Dear Dr. Bond,<br /> The Ethics Office does not respond in email to questions regarding specific ethics matters . . please write or fax the Ethics Office and I will ensure that you receive an expeditious response.</p></blockquote> <p>And it goes on and on, but I think readers can get the picture.</p> Thanks for adding to the discussion here, Trudy. Many of you may not know, but Dr. Bond is a licensed psychologist who has been working tirelessly to hold some of the torturing psychologists accountable for what they have done, through ethics charges at APA, by challenging licenses, and other legal avenues.

Some of her amazing, and I know often frustrating work, she described at this interesting article at Counterpunch:

What follows is a synopsis of my attempts to achieve the VERY response YOU PLEDGED in your letter to the ACLU.

April 11, 2007 by Facsimile
To: Stephen Behnke, APA Director of Ethics
Dr. Behnke:
I am filing an ethics complaint against Dr. John F. Leso, a member of APA since 1996. The behavior at issue is participation in cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment as documented in the INTERROGATION LOG of DETAINNEE 063 at Guantanamo.
Sincerely,
Dr. Trudy Bond

April 11, 2007
From: APA Office of Ethics
Dear Dr. Bond:
This is to acknowledge your inquiry received April 11, 2007 indicating your intent to file a complaint against Dr. John F. Leso . . . Once your completed complaint form is received, we will determine whether it is within the time limits for filing . . . We await your response.

April 15, 2007
To: APA Office of Ethics
Fr: Dr. Trudy Bond
Member Against Whom You Are Complaining: Dr. John Franklin Leso. Major John Franklin Leso was licensed by a psychologist by the state of New York and retains license number 013492 until July, 2009. He is currently an active APA member and has been since 1996.

September 4, 2007
To: Stephen Behnke, APA Director of Ethics
Fr: Dr. Trudy Bond
Attached is a copy of the form I submitted to the APA Ethics Committee on April 15, 2007 regarding APA member John Leso. I have received no acknowledgment of or response to said complaint, and therefore am resubmitting this complaint.

December 24, 2007
To: Stephen Behnke, APA Director of Ethics, by email
Fr: Dr. Trudy Bond
I filed a second formal complaint against John Leso on September 4, 2007 after i had received no contact form APA regarding the first complaint filed in April of this year. The APA Office of Ethics has not even acknowledged receipt of the complaints I filed.

December 24, 2007
Fr: Stephen Behnke, APA Director of Ethics
Dear Dr. Bond,
The Ethics Office does not respond in email to questions regarding specific ethics matters . . please write or fax the Ethics Office and I will ensure that you receive an expeditious response.

And it goes on and on, but I think readers can get the picture.

]]> By: robspierre http://firedoglake.com/2009/05/27/fair-and-balanced-in-academia-twisting-recent-torture-history-in-the-journal-nature/#comment-1907860 robspierre Thu, 28 May 2009 03:56:00 +0000 http://firedoglake.com/2009/05/27/fair-and-balanced-in-academia-twisting-recent-torture-history-in-the-journal-nature/#comment-1907860 <p>Medical professionals have special responsibilities and, thus, special culpability under post-Nuremburg international law, regardless of what the APA says or does not say. These guys have put their heads in the noose, even if nobody in authority wants to spring the trap just now. Remember, Mengele was never caught, but he lived and died in fear.</p> Medical professionals have special responsibilities and, thus, special culpability under post-Nuremburg international law, regardless of what the APA says or does not say. These guys have put their heads in the noose, even if nobody in authority wants to spring the trap just now. Remember, Mengele was never caught, but he lived and died in fear.

]]> By: PapaZita http://firedoglake.com/2009/05/27/fair-and-balanced-in-academia-twisting-recent-torture-history-in-the-journal-nature/#comment-1907849 PapaZita Thu, 28 May 2009 03:46:01 +0000 http://firedoglake.com/2009/05/27/fair-and-balanced-in-academia-twisting-recent-torture-history-in-the-journal-nature/#comment-1907849 <p>Wow, the APA bureaucrats really wants to hand a gift tied with pink ribbons around it to quack religions like Scientology, doesn’t it? The quacks just have to spread this around and the field of psychology could be damaged for decades. Sad, but unless there’s a mass exodus I don’t see how to minimize the damage.</p> Wow, the APA bureaucrats really wants to hand a gift tied with pink ribbons around it to quack religions like Scientology, doesn’t it? The quacks just have to spread this around and the field of psychology could be damaged for decades. Sad, but unless there’s a mass exodus I don’t see how to minimize the damage.

]]> By: Jeff Kaye http://firedoglake.com/2009/05/27/fair-and-balanced-in-academia-twisting-recent-torture-history-in-the-journal-nature/#comment-1907847 Jeff Kaye Thu, 28 May 2009 03:45:14 +0000 http://firedoglake.com/2009/05/27/fair-and-balanced-in-academia-twisting-recent-torture-history-in-the-journal-nature/#comment-1907847 <p>There are thousand of psychologists in APA, and even more licensed throughout the country. Many are simply good clinicians or researchers, not involved in torture or anything like it. The Military Psychology division of APA is one of their smallest. But the influence of the military and CIA psychologists is huge in relation to their numbers. Of course, they have the government behind them, and access to the big research $$$. Additionally, one should note that, as Jonathan Moreno at Univ. of Virginia pointed out in his book, Undue Risk: Secret Experimentation on Humans, in the 1950s and 1960s, a huge amount of money went to researchers working on projects for the military and the CIA, not least around things like sensory deprivation, or mind control research. The legacy of that project lingers on organized psychology the way the influence of the Black Death must have lingered on in Europe in the decades after its appearance had waned.</p> There are thousand of psychologists in APA, and even more licensed throughout the country. Many are simply good clinicians or researchers, not involved in torture or anything like it. The Military Psychology division of APA is one of their smallest. But the influence of the military and CIA psychologists is huge in relation to their numbers. Of course, they have the government behind them, and access to the big research $$$. Additionally, one should note that, as Jonathan Moreno at Univ. of Virginia pointed out in his book, Undue Risk: Secret Experimentation on Humans, in the 1950s and 1960s, a huge amount of money went to researchers working on projects for the military and the CIA, not least around things like sensory deprivation, or mind control research. The legacy of that project lingers on organized psychology the way the influence of the Black Death must have lingered on in Europe in the decades after its appearance had waned.

]]> By: earlofhuntingdon http://firedoglake.com/2009/05/27/fair-and-balanced-in-academia-twisting-recent-torture-history-in-the-journal-nature/#comment-1907809 earlofhuntingdon Thu, 28 May 2009 03:19:42 +0000 http://firedoglake.com/2009/05/27/fair-and-balanced-in-academia-twisting-recent-torture-history-in-the-journal-nature/#comment-1907809 <p>A more nuanced critique would be that the UK editors of Nature are not well-informed. It’s not obvious to me, for example, why the chief psychologist for NCIS should have the last word on the subject. His job, for starters, is to assist NCIS in its interrogations of prisoners, not to evaluate the ethics of doing so from the perspective of his entire profession, much less with the health of the prisoner in mind.</p> <p>And I repeat my concern that staff psychologists bureaucratically would rarely, if ever, have the pull or street cred within an armed federal agency to stop field agents or their superiors from “harsh interrogations” they deemed necessary. If the law cannot or refuses to stop them, the docs certainly won’t.</p> A more nuanced critique would be that the UK editors of Nature are not well-informed. It’s not obvious to me, for example, why the chief psychologist for NCIS should have the last word on the subject. His job, for starters, is to assist NCIS in its interrogations of prisoners, not to evaluate the ethics of doing so from the perspective of his entire profession, much less with the health of the prisoner in mind.

And I repeat my concern that staff psychologists bureaucratically would rarely, if ever, have the pull or street cred within an armed federal agency to stop field agents or their superiors from “harsh interrogations” they deemed necessary. If the law cannot or refuses to stop them, the docs certainly won’t.

]]> By: earlofhuntingdon http://firedoglake.com/2009/05/27/fair-and-balanced-in-academia-twisting-recent-torture-history-in-the-journal-nature/#comment-1907783 earlofhuntingdon Thu, 28 May 2009 03:08:23 +0000 http://firedoglake.com/2009/05/27/fair-and-balanced-in-academia-twisting-recent-torture-history-in-the-journal-nature/#comment-1907783 <p>One wonders whether the opponents of psychologist-assisted interrogations were as active in assisting the writing/publication of this friendly, unsigned editorial as were those who favored psychologist-assisted interrogations. Or whether the former even knew it was in the works. </p> <p>Nature ordinarily publishes peer-reviewed work, and advance summaries of important work-in-process. This seems an odd topic for it to have come out on in favor of the Bush and now Obama’s administration’s positions. Is there no end to the politicization of science?</p> <p>The idea that mid-level staff psychologists would have the necessary veto power to limit interrogations involving torture or “near torture” is absurd. They would be there to assist the interrogators, not the victim, as the most famous of the psychologist-advisers have claimed.</p> <p>The claimed motivation for using torture is the fictional “ticking time bomb” scenario, where only torture [sic] will elicit the required information from the prisoner in time — assuming the prisoner knows precisely what his or her captors suspect he knows, and that there is time to retrieve it, extract it from the dross, process and use it to “stop the bomb”. So far as I know, there have no examples of that hypothetical in practice.</p> <p>The Nature “editorial” does not appear to be what it claims. Rather, it appears to be a “name cite” that those who want to torture and make money at it will point to to protect their franchise.</p> One wonders whether the opponents of psychologist-assisted interrogations were as active in assisting the writing/publication of this friendly, unsigned editorial as were those who favored psychologist-assisted interrogations. Or whether the former even knew it was in the works.

Nature ordinarily publishes peer-reviewed work, and advance summaries of important work-in-process. This seems an odd topic for it to have come out on in favor of the Bush and now Obama’s administration’s positions. Is there no end to the politicization of science?

The idea that mid-level staff psychologists would have the necessary veto power to limit interrogations involving torture or “near torture” is absurd. They would be there to assist the interrogators, not the victim, as the most famous of the psychologist-advisers have claimed.

The claimed motivation for using torture is the fictional “ticking time bomb” scenario, where only torture [sic] will elicit the required information from the prisoner in time — assuming the prisoner knows precisely what his or her captors suspect he knows, and that there is time to retrieve it, extract it from the dross, process and use it to “stop the bomb”. So far as I know, there have no examples of that hypothetical in practice.

The Nature “editorial” does not appear to be what it claims. Rather, it appears to be a “name cite” that those who want to torture and make money at it will point to to protect their franchise.

]]> By: Petrocelli http://firedoglake.com/2009/05/27/fair-and-balanced-in-academia-twisting-recent-torture-history-in-the-journal-nature/#comment-1907779 Petrocelli Thu, 28 May 2009 03:06:13 +0000 http://firedoglake.com/2009/05/27/fair-and-balanced-in-academia-twisting-recent-torture-history-in-the-journal-nature/#comment-1907779 <p><strong>(((CT)))</strong></p> (((CT)))

]]> By: CTuttle http://firedoglake.com/2009/05/27/fair-and-balanced-in-academia-twisting-recent-torture-history-in-the-journal-nature/#comment-1907776 CTuttle Thu, 28 May 2009 03:05:03 +0000 http://firedoglake.com/2009/05/27/fair-and-balanced-in-academia-twisting-recent-torture-history-in-the-journal-nature/#comment-1907776 <p><a href="http://firedoglake.com/2009/05/27/late-night-please-wont-somebody-think-of-the-dreadfully-underrepresented-white-man/?login=true" rel="nofollow">Water Tiger’s upstairs…!</a></p> Water Tiger’s upstairs…!

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