back to article Trump's torture support could mean the end of GCHQ-NSA relationship

If comments made on the campaign trail by Donald Trump were sincere, then today's British government will need to do some serious soul-searching very soon. Trump, who was today announced as the president-elect of the United States of America, has been controversially outspoken while seeking to be nominated as the Republican …

  1. Captain Badmouth
    Coat

    It's a whole new ball game, folks, a whole new ball game. Let me tell ya....

    Mine's the one with the copy of The 120 days of Sodom in the pocket, thanks.

    1. P. Lee

      re: Trump's torture support could mean the end of GCHQ-NSA relationship

      Am I the only one who thinks this might be a good thing?

      One of the problems with having massive military superiority is that you never have to ask yourself if a particular course of action which involves killing someone, is something you would be willing to die for.

  2. Magani
    Mushroom

    Intelligence sharing is at risk ...

    It would seem that given yesterday's result, there's now little 'intelligence' to share on either side of the pond.

    I'm off to the fallout shelter. Call me when sanity has been re-established.

    1. Captain Badmouth
      Happy

      "I'm off to the fallout shelter"

      Do you want to borrow my book?

    2. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      "Intelligence sharing is at risk ..."

      You mean the US still has any secrets to share after they've passed thru Hillary's server?

      1. Anonymous Coward
        Anonymous Coward

        You mean the US still has any secrets to share after they've passed thru Hillary's server?

        Are you referring to that thing that has now been investigated no less than TEN TIMES without finding anything that is legally actionable? Do you know Einstein's definition of insanity?

        If you want unsafe, look at what happened at OPM - now THAT is putting people's lives at risk properly, because it handed whoever hacked that a nice, juicy target list of 2 million Americans who can be targeted because they have a clearance. If you are really looking for something to fix, that's worth it.

        1. David Leigh 1

          What do you expect?

          When the Attorney General is a rabid and unapologetic Clintonista, when James Comey of the FBI decides to rewrite the law so that intent becomes the deciding factor, as opposed to the actual law which makes what she did an absolute offence (nothing to do with the fact that he worked with Loretta Lynch in New York ho ho) the outcome under such corrupt people is a foregone conclusion - of COURSE she did nothing wrong.

          If Hillary and her mobsters are so fragrantly innocent as you suppose, why did they rush to seek immunity agreements (which shamefully were granted) and why did some hide behind the 5th Amendment?

          Incidentally, Comey took $6,000,000 in one year from Lockheed Martin, which - much to everyone's surprise (hollow laughter) became major donors to the Clinton 'Foundation' and then received very nice contracts approved by the State Department (prop. HRC)

          Grow up!

          1. Anonymous Coward
            Anonymous Coward

            Re: What do you expect?

            If Hillary and her mobsters are so fragrantly innocent as you suppose, why did they rush to seek immunity agreements (which shamefully were granted) and why did some hide behind the 5th Amendment?

            Because it's the law. If you live in a democracy (or rather, pretend it's one, but that's another discussion) you have to respect that law, and that cuts both ways. The law should protect you as well as require you to comply with it. If there is no legally actionable discovery after the same process has been repeated 10 times (which, by the way, amounts to hardcore harassment by any standard and was only possible because it's at congressional level), it is time to accept the verdict of that same court that should declare YOU innocent if there isn't enough evidence when YOU get investigated. You can't have the one without the other.

            You have the same rights, rights that allowed the US citizens to pull a Brexit stunt on their own country (voting for a candidate they didn't think would get in anyway because the polls told them - which meant he DID get in, and now we get protests mainly from people with a guilty conscience - exactly like Brexit).

            Indeed grow up. You made your bed, now you can lie in it. The UK cannot declare you idiots because they've basically committed the same self harm, but the rest of the world now knows that 47.5% of US citizens cannot be trusted with anything important. Not that we didn't know that already, but it's always sad to see it confirmed.

            Now go and burn some crosses or whatever other pointless thing Trump voters do to pretend they matter.

        2. fnj

          Are you referring to that thing that has now been investigated no less than TEN TIMES without finding anything that is legally actionable?

          Some of us believe that action was taken by the American people on November 8. Kind of like the British people taking their own action with the Brexit vote.

        3. Anonymous Coward
          Anonymous Coward

          "...without finding anything that is legally actionable?2

          Um, I used to work for a UK defence subcontractor and because we had some minor part to play in a system that had American components in, we were forced to abide by all their laws like the ITAR controls and a little something dreamt up by Senators Sarbanes and Oxley in the wake of the Exxon Valdez "Oops I seem to have accidentally deleted a few hundred emails" mishap.

          If Exxon were in trouble for a coupe of thousand, what about Hillary's fifteen^H^H^ thirty^H^H^H FORTYFIVE thousand emails? And that's just the ones she has admitted to deleting, and doesn't take any account of the fact that she had classified email on a non-Controlled system, had access to AND KEPT emails she had no business being anywhere near and that she then tried to defend herself by declaring the emails weren't classified just because she said so.

          But no, nothing legally actionable, nosirree...

      2. Anonymous Coward
        Anonymous Coward

        You mean the US still has any secrets to share after they've passed thru Hillary's server?

        John, you've won. Get over it.

        1. Anonymous Coward
          Anonymous Coward

          Re: You mean the US still has any secrets to share after they've passed thru Hillary's server?

          I guess John will "get over it" once there is more balanced discussion on here, the voting and opinions are so partisan it deters genuine discussion of important world issues.

          BTW it's not John, it is the will of the American people through democracy, get over it.

          1. Anonymous Coward
            Anonymous Coward

            Re: You mean the US still has any secrets to share after they've passed thru Hillary's server?

            BTW it's not John, it is the will of the American people through democracy, get over it.

            If you really want to nit-pick, it's the will of the small minority of the American people, and also the will of the minority of the voters who cast their ballot. After all, Clinton did win the popular vote while losing the electoral college vote. I know that this outcome reflects the unfathomable wisdom of the founding fathers and all that - but presumably in more than two centuries which passed since that time enough has changed to possibly justify another look at the electoral system.

            However, none of this matters. Trump won, and I fully agree with you that America has got a president-elect it deserves.

            1. Anonymous Coward
              Anonymous Coward

              Re: You mean the US still has any secrets to share after they've passed thru Hillary's server?

              >I know that this outcome reflects the unfathomable wisdom of the founding fathers and all that - but presumably in more than two centuries which passed since that time enough has changed to possibly justify another look at the electoral system.

              These things take time - it took 125 years before Senators were elected by the American people - prior to that it was basically an all Tory House of Lords.

            2. Jaybus

              Re: You mean the US still has any secrets to share after they've passed thru Hillary's server?

              Indeed, have a look at the electoral system. Let's start with a look at a map by voting district, showing districts that voted Republican in red an Democratic in blue, not the one by state, but by individual voting district. The first thing that stands out is that it is very red in general, with blue areas clearly concentrated in large metropolitan areas, New York, LA, Chicago, and other large cities. If you threw a dart at the map, you wouldn't actually be likely to hit a blue area. In most places, the people apparently lean toward the conservative, rather than liberal. At the same time, the popular vote was very nearly a 50-50 split. It seems to me that the electoral college did exactly what it was designed to do by preventing a few areas of concentrated population from always deciding things for the entire rest of the nation.

              Personally, I think Americans are so over the corrupt political elitists that they voted for Trump simply because he is not a professional politician and has never before held a public office. Notice that in spite of the Republican Party's best efforts to prevent Trump from becoming their candidate, Trump handily won the primaries. It was a slap in the face to all of the political elite, not just the Democrats.

          2. Anonymous Coward
            Anonymous Coward

            Re: You mean the US still has any secrets to share after they've passed thru Hillary's server?

            Powernumpty,

            Obviously, if it were a democracy, then the majority of the popular vote had elected Hillary. As we in the U.S. have a democratic Republic with an Electoral College, we are stuck with another candidate that came in second place. Second place with most people voting for third party candidates as a protest vote against Hillary.

            Second place is hardly the will of anyone.

            Ironically, those idiots that wanted to burn the whole place down to get rid of the old government, forgot to vote out that same Congress that has been intentionally obstructing the Obama administration for 8 years. So... they didn't fix squat and if tax cuts and regulation eliminations happen as expected, they'll be in a worse position than they were before.

            1. Anonymous Coward
              Anonymous Coward

              Re: You mean the US still has any secrets to share after they've passed thru Hillary's server?

              Well that is the system you have accepted, if you don't believe in the system then you probably also believe many previous presidents were elected wrongly or is it just this one because of his party?

              If it is wrong forget the political in fighting and get enough people of all persuasions behind a change in the electoral system.

              What I find difficult to reconcile is the vehement opprobrium metered on this guy who has clearly used the system provided and even turned a profit (allegedly) from the campaign, now if that is not being a true enterprising American I'm not sure what is.

          3. HausWolf

            Re: You mean the US still has any secrets to share after they've passed thru Hillary's server?

            Less than half the people... he didn't get a majority

            1. Anonymous Coward
              Anonymous Coward

              Re: You mean the US still has any secrets to share after they've passed thru Hillary's server?

              Less than half the people... he didn't get a majority

              Nor did Clinton, less than 48%

          4. HandleAlreadyTaken

            Re: You mean the US still has any secrets to share after they've passed thru Hillary's server?

            H. L. Mencken said it:

            Democracy is the theory that the common people know what they want, and deserve to get it good and hard.

        2. HausWolf

          Re: You mean the US still has any secrets to share after they've passed thru Hillary's server?

          Actually, most sane people lost.

          1. Anonymous Coward
            Anonymous Coward

            Re: You mean the US still has any secrets to share after they've passed thru Hillary's server?

            And the ones still investigating the Clinton Foundation, for taking cash from KSA and Qatar who also gave cash to ISIS and AQ ? Without her telling her own Government, which is strictly illegal.

          2. Pompous Git Silver badge

            Re: You mean the US still has any secrets to share after they've passed thru Hillary's server?

            Actually, most sane people lost.
            Actually, you are missing the point.

            The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary.
            H L Mencken

            It matters not one tittle whether Tweedle Dumb, or Tweedle Dumber won unless you happen to be Tweedle Dumb, or Tweedle Dumber.

        3. Anonymous Coward
          Anonymous Coward

          Re: You mean the US still has any secrets to share after they've passed thru Hillary's server?

          > "John, you've won. Get over it."

          You mean stop rubbing your face in it? In due time, in due time...

          (cue evil cackling)

      3. Tom 7

        Re Big John

        John - you lost but you think you won so be happy.

        1. John Smith 19 Gold badge
          Unhappy

          Re: Re Big John

          Well strictly the American people asked for Trump. Now they have him.

          Wheather that's what they wanted is another matter which they will discover for themselves over the next 4 years, excluding impeachment death or incapacity EG massive stroke.

          1. Charles 9

            Re: Re Big John

            Or betrayal of the Electors...

          2. RW

            Re: Re Big John

            Massive stroke is a definite possibility. Drumpf is well known for not taking anybody's advice about anything if he doesn't agree, and any doctor who tried to tell him to lose some weight, eat less, and get more exercise (golf doesn't count) would be wasting his time. Drumpf is a very self-indulgent man. Very fat, too. With skin that to me screams "not in the best of health".

            I wonder how drumpf will like being a patient at Walter Reed?

            1. Pompous Git Silver badge

              Re: Re Big John

              get more exercise (golf doesn't count)
              WTF? I used to play golf at a 9 hole golf course ~20 years ago when I was much fitter. One time I played round twice and I was completely fucking shagged out! So was the retired US marine I played golf with and he played almost every day.

    3. Mark 85

      Actually, I've been wondering about "intelligence" since the Primaries started. Both were not, shall we say, the best of choices, and this campaign hasn't quite been down to the Tricky Dicky level.... but, I digress.

      Enjoy the fallout shelter, I'm headed to my bunker for some peace and quiet. Last night the local neighborhood erupted with fireworks and what sounded very much like automatic weapons fire* when Trump hit the magic number of EC votes.

      *I do know the difference betwixt fireworks and automatic weapons fire... I'm thinking it was a modified M-14. Definitely not a AK or an M16.

  3. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    This is based on unwarranted assumptions

    likely to receive push-back from the UK due to the nation's legal obligations, which are much more unlikely to be derogated from.

    You are assuming that Teresa May would like to keep UK in the same conventions. What in particular did she do for this assumption to be warranted? In fact, UK may be out of said conventions even before the USA.

    1. Adrian 4

      Re: This is based on unwarranted assumptions

      Our government was quite happy to help with 'extraordinary renditions'. What makes you think they've suddenly acquired some morals ?

      1. Anonymous Coward
        Anonymous Coward

        Re: This is based on unwarranted assumptions

        People have noticed?

      2. Trigonoceps occipitalis

        Re: This is based on unwarranted assumptions

        The aim of an intelligence sharing agreement is, obviously, to share intelligence. Diplomats and intelligence officers are the experts at averting their eyes and holding their noses. Their default position is "Ask no questions and you'll get told nothing embarrassing."

        Until there is irrefutable proof of torture things will carry on much as usual. Social media and Wikileaks are not proof. Even if a serious investigation, say the Insight Team, alleges torture nothing will really affect the status quo. The only possible affect is that some legal cases are affected by "fruit of the poisoned tree."

        Unless of course an inexperienced politician makes it plain, in public, on the record, that the USA now engages in torture. What chance of that?

        1. Pompous Git Silver badge

          Re: This is based on unwarranted assumptions

          Until there is irrefutable proof of torture

          The CIA's 1963 Torture Manual In Its Entirety

          1. Trigonoceps occipitalis

            Re: This is based on unwarranted assumptions

            1963 is a long time ago. Where is the provenance, sorry, I forgot, everything on the Internet is true. Anyway my eyes are averted and my nose firmly held.

            1. Pompous Git Silver badge

              Re: This is based on unwarranted assumptions

              1963 is a long time ago. Where is the provenance...
              1963 is only a long time ago if you are a child. Avert your eyes and hold your nose all you want; you can even lie on the floor and kick and scream. There's plenty of provenance.

              National Security Archive

              1. Trigonoceps occipitalis

                Re: This is based on unwarranted assumptions

                "1963 is only a long time ago if you are a child."

                The year the Aston Martin DB5 was introduced. Many, many things have changed for better or worse. A document from 1963 can only be "proof" as to what was happening before the DB5. I hold no brief for the intelligence services. If that is the best you have I really don't need to avert my eyes or hold my nose.

                Let me be clear, torture is abhorrent. We should be better than that. However there is an argument as to just what constitutes torture. I offer no threshold, I am not equipped with the legal, medical or moral intellectual tools to really make an informed decision on what is a fine and shifting line. It is a bit like "obscenity", I can't tell you what it is but I'll know it when I see it. Don't forget that Lady Chatterly's Lover was considered obscene until 1960.

                1. Pompous Git Silver badge

                  Re: This is based on unwarranted assumptions

                  A document from 1963 can only be "proof" as to what was happening before the DB5.
                  Clearly, you didn't read the document(s) at the national Security Archive:
                  In March 1992 Cheney received an investigative report on "Improper Material in Spanish-Language Intelligence Training Manuals." Classified SECRET, the report noted that five of the seven manuals "contained language and statements in violation of legal, regulatory or policy prohibitions" and recommended they be recalled. The memo is stamped: "SECDEF HAS SEEN."

                  The Archive also posted a declassified memorandum of conversation with a Southern Command officer, Major Victor Tise, who was responsible for assembling the Latin American manuals at School of the Americas for counterintelligence training in 1982. Tise stated that the manuals had been forwarded to DOD headquarters for clearance "and came back approved but UNCHANGED." (Emphasis in original)

                  I have heard an interview with Glen Carle, an ex-CIA operative who struggled with his conscience when ordered to torture a banker who his years of field experience told him the banker was the wrong target.

                  You write "there is an argument as to just what constitutes torture" and I'm happy to argue with you while applying strong electric currents to your anus and genitalia. Guess who will win the argument ;-)

                2. Anonymous Coward
                  Anonymous Coward

                  Re: This is based on unwarranted assumptions

                  Let me give you a little help with this. You say it's unclear what constitutes torture. I say, just imagine it's being done to you. I think that will clarify your thinking rather quickly.

              2. 9Rune5

                Re: This is based on unwarranted assumptions

                The article we are commenting seems to hint that the current administration put an effective stop to waterboarding. I believe it is fairly well known that waterboarding was common practice when Bush was in office. So 1963? I fail to see the relevance.

                However, the embarrassing continued operation of the base at Guantanamo indicates that the last 8 years have been pretty much 'business as usual'.

                So, vote for a candidate who is open about these things, or vote for the other saying the nice things we want to hear (only to ignore it once in office)?

                1. Anonymous Coward
                  Anonymous Coward

                  Re: This is based on unwarranted assumptions

                  Those who are currently enjoying the profits of past crimes never "see the relevance" of those crimes. But let a murderer, or a Nazi prison camp guard, try arguing that in a court of law.

                2. Anonymous Coward
                  Anonymous Coward

                  Re: This is based on unwarranted assumptions

                  We know for sure, just by opening a history book, that the US government engaged in deliberate, systematic, large-scale torture in the 1890s. And in the 1960s. And in the 2000s.

                  What do you think happened in between?

              3. Anonymous Coward
                Anonymous Coward

                Re: This is based on unwarranted assumptions

                "1963 is a long time ago".

                Yes indeed. Fifty-three years in which to extend, improve and refine their techniques.

          2. Anonymous Coward
            Anonymous Coward

            Re: This is based on unwarranted assumptions

            "Torture and State Violence in the United States: A Short Documentary History"

            Paperback – 3 Oct 2011

            by Robert M. Pallitto (Editor)

            https://www.amazon.co.uk/Torture-State-Violence-United-States/dp/1421402491/ref=sr_1_19?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1478774187&sr=1-19&keywords=torture+america

        2. Flocke Kroes Silver badge

          Re: irrefutable proof of torture

          It will be live on Trump TV. The advertising revenues will be yuge. There will be a Trump hotel in every city with its own torture stadium.

          1. Jamie Jones Silver badge

            Re: irrefutable proof of torture

            I assume I;m not the only one reminded of 'Biff' in Back to the future 2, where he is a rich bafoon that controls everything...

            Come to think of it, was the character based on PEOTUS?

      3. Anonymous Coward
        Anonymous Coward

        Re: This is based on unwarranted assumptions

        That was my immediate reaction to the headline. Obama, and before him Dubya and before him Bill Clinton tortured people routinely. The difference is that they publicly protested that they didn't approve of torture, while their employees were engaging in it behind the scenes. Trump has actually spoken about what previously was being done clandestinely. There is a pattern here: throughout the election campaign Trump has been lambasted for saying offensive things, which was apparently considered far worse than the truly appalling things Hillary Clinton and Obama have DONE.

        Abu Ghraib; Guantanamo; "extraordinary rendition"; you could, if you had the stomach for it, probably trace the tradition of American government torture right back to the waterboarding of Filipinos in the war of conquest 120 years ago, and some of the sickening things that they did to slaves and Native Americans.

        As for the UK, please don't forget that it's only 12 years since Craig Murray was fired as ambassador to Uzbekistan because he insisted on telling the Foreign Office and Jack Straw that the government of Uzbekistan was regularly torturing people, and that much of the "intelligence" they gave to the British government was obtained that way. Straw and his senior underlings knew perfectly well, but they hated having an honest man come along and force them to admit it.

        Of course, Trump is wrong in two respects. First and foremost, torture is NEVER justified. Second and also quite important, it usually yields very poor results, as real intelligence professionals know.

    2. James 51
      Gimp

      Re: This is based on unwarranted assumptions

      She doesn't, she has said in the past the best reason to get out of the EU would be to get rid of the ECJ and then get out the ECHR.

    3. Loyal Commenter Silver badge

      Re: This is based on unwarranted assumptions

      You are assuming that Teresa May would like to keep UK in the same conventions.

      I'm pretty sure that derogating from international obligations that have been enshrined in UK law through an act of parliament requires assent from parliament, rather than unilateral action from the 'prime minister' (a figurehead with no real legal standing beyond being the leader of a single political party within the commons, if you read your history books), even through 'royal prerogative'.

      If only we had some sort of legal test case to press home this point...

  4. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    Donald J. Trump

    Never has the Cockney slang of "septic tank" seemed more appropriate

    1. Bloodbeastterror

      Re: Donald J. Trump

      Why the downvote?

      1. Anonymous Coward
        Anonymous Coward

        Re: Donald J. Trump

        Why the downvote?

        Name calling just shows the lack of intelligence of the one doing it and the fact they don't have a coherent argument.

        1. Anonymous Coward
          Anonymous Coward

          Re: Donald J. Trump

          Name calling just shows the lack of intelligence of the one doing it and the fact they don't have a coherent argument.

          It's about Trump. I'd give that some margin.

        2. Pompous Git Silver badge

          Re: Donald J. Trump

          Name calling just shows the lack of intelligence of the one doing it
          In Australia, calling someone a bastard or cunt is usually demonstrating friendliness. My best friend, sadly deceased, was a Septic. You can keep your cultural superiority to yourself.

          1. Dr Scrum Master

            Re: Donald J. Trump

            In Australia, calling someone a bastard or cunt is usually demonstrating friendliness. My best friend, sadly deceased, was a Septic. You can keep your cultural superiority to yourself.

            I've always found Australians to be terribly polite whenever they've talked to me.... oh, I see.

        3. Anonymous Coward
          Anonymous Coward

          Re: Donald J. Trump

          Nonsense. Name calling often demonstrates the depth of one's revulsion. It fills the aching gap until the criminal in question is finally arraigned and punished.

        4. You aint sin me, roit
          FAIL

          Re: Donald J. Trump

          "You called him a name therefore you don't have a coherent argument"

          is not a coherent argument.

        5. Lotaresco

          Re: Donald J. Trump

          "Name calling just shows the lack of intelligence of the one doing it and the fact they don't have a coherent argument."

          I tire of this line of argument. I tire of it particularly because there is a long history of individuals involved in torture and oppression insisting that their victims must be "polite". There's a common thread that runs through from the SS to Spain, Chile, Argentina, Turkey, Egypt and beyond of torturers demanding that their victims remain "polite" at all times, or they will get more of the same, which they will get anyway.

          It's not true now and it never was. One may have a coherent and compelling argument but those who want to oppress others don't want a discussion, they just want their own way. Therefore it's best to cut to the chase and tell the idiots what they are. It saves so much time.

          I've never found anyone who claims that "name calling" or "profanity" shows a lack of intelligence to be particularly intelligent themselves. I would say that if someone wished to show me that name calling was associated with stupidity that the individual expressing that view should be able to dazzle me with their intellect, don't you?

          1. Pompous Git Silver badge

            Re: Donald J. Trump

            I've never found anyone who claims that "name calling" or "profanity" shows a lack of intelligence to be particularly intelligent themselves.
            Wish I could upvote your post more...

          2. Anonymous Coward
            Anonymous Coward

            Re: Donald J. Trump

            Name calling is indeed shocking bad manners, but it doesn't intrinsically interfere with arguments. Luckily most name callers haven't any real substance behind the name calling. When they do, it's bad form to use that as an easy-out in an argument. Personally I just avoid NC's, because I'm easily scandalized.

    2. Pompous Git Silver badge

      Re: Donald J. Trump

      Never has the Cockney slang of "septic tank" seemed more appropriate
      There ya go! I always thought it was Strine. Usually abbreviated to septic.

  5. Mahhn

    Just say NO

    As a US citizen, I would be very happy if we never tortured anyone. It's a shame to every living being if we step to that level. Now punishment is different that torture. I do believe in punishment.

    If it takes the UK saying they will stop all cooperation with the US to prevent it, then do it. Let turnip get the message; the world expects a moral leader, (we're doomed)

    1. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      Re: Just say NO

      Yah. But I believe your Constitution explicitly forbids "cruel and unusual punishment". (Although that seems to be interpreted rather loosely, in that it allows the electric chair, execution by lethal injection and gas - all of which, when incomeptently done as they so often are, turn out to be horribly cruel).

      1. Anonymous Coward
        Anonymous Coward

        Re: Just say NO

        Yah. But I believe your Constitution explicitly forbids "cruel and unusual punishment

        USA constitution applies only to USA citizens. There is a long standing legal precendent that foreign scum has no rights and not a single of the rights in it applies to foreign scum.

        1. Anonymous Coward
          Anonymous Coward

          Re: Just say NO

          Er, wasn't there something about "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal..."? And doesn't that imply that all men (in the sense of "human beings") should be given the same human rights?

          https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_men_are_created_equal

      2. Captain Badmouth

        Re: Just say NO

        As regards capital punishment, I find myself wondering at the mental state of the executioner involved. What happens to someone who considers it their duty, to begin with, then has to live with the psychological consequences of their actions? What is the mental profile of those happy to continue doing it for years on end?

        I freely admit to not knowing the way such things are managed in the system.

        1. Anonymous Coward
          Anonymous Coward

          Re: Just say NO

          As regards capital punishment, I find myself wondering at the mental state of the executioner involved. What happens to someone who considers it their duty, to begin with, then has to live with the psychological consequences of their actions?

          They become President of the United States. See Grover Cleveland

      3. Mr Commenty McComentface
        Joke

        Re: Just say NO

        "Yah. But I believe your Constitution explicitly forbids "cruel and unusual punishment"............"

        And yet, they still let Justin frickin' Beaver sing......

      4. Charles 9

        Re: Just say NO

        "Yah. But I believe your Constitution explicitly forbids "cruel and unusual punishment"."

        But what if the punishment is cruel BUT USUAL? If prescribed in the law as it is now, there can be an argument for capital punishment being usual, especially in regards to treason, which is explicitly in the Constitution.

    2. Pascal Monett Silver badge

      Re: "if we step to that level"

      I do believe that ship has sailed a long time ago. Abu Ghraib ring a bell ?

      You've stepped to that level. Then you built a condominium complex and a parking zone on it. Apparently there are now plans to extend the zone with a golf course. No use doing government-approved torture in dismal conditions for the interrogators, right ?

  6. Mage Silver badge

    Torture works?

    Only in the sense of getting some answer rather than nothing. However it's usually made up stuff that the victim thinks you want to hear.

    Not only is torture a crime, it doesn't even work.

    Nor do polygraphs.

    1. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      Re: Torture works?

      Torture obviously sucks. But I don't think some of the Donald's more heated campaign statements will ever take the force of international law. I am also sure that previous US administrations (along with their allies) have tortured a lot more people than Donald ever will, unless you count looking at his hair for any extended length of time. Nor is he going to build any walls, etc. The jury is out on the rest of it.

      "A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines. With consistency a great soul has simply nothing to do. He may as well concern himself with his shadow on the wall."

      Which would have been a good close for this article.

      1. smartypants

        Re: Torture works?

        I wish I could share your confidence. 2016 seems to be the year when I stopped having confidence in things being OK. Hope I'm wrong.

    2. Adrian 4

      Re: Torture works?

      Of course it works.

      It results in statements that confirm the assertions of the torturers.

      What else would you want or need ?

    3. Pompous Git Silver badge

      Re: Torture works?

      Not only is torture a crime, it doesn't even work.
      As the CIA Torture Manual points out, you don't torture the person you want information from. You torture their wife or children within earshot. The manual also claims to provide scientific evidence of the effectiveness of torture, evidence that could only be obtained by engaging in torture.

      1. Anonymous Coward
        Anonymous Coward

        Re: Torture works?

        But as ever, if you have someone INNOCENT and don't believe that, you're going to end up with cobblers as well as blood on your hands.

      2. Charles 9

        Re: Torture works?

        "As the CIA Torture Manual points out, you don't torture the person you want information from. You torture their wife or children within earshot."

        Trouble is, what if the man involved has no family (they're all dead) or they've had a falling out and thus hate their family, meaning the torture appeases them? Plus you could end up with a masochist who gets off on torture.

        1. Pompous Git Silver badge

          Re: Torture works?

          Trouble is, what if the man involved has no family...
          Try reading the literature. The main purpose of torture is intimidation, not extracting true confessions. Usually the confessions have already been written prior to torture. No participation by the confessor required.

          1. Charles 9

            Re: Torture works?

            But what I'm saying there are some people who CAN'T be intimidated. No family means no sympathy angle, a hostile family means you're on HIS side, and masochists GET OFF on being hurt so are EMBOLDENED by torture.

            So how do you intimidate people like THOSE?

            1. Pompous Git Silver badge

              Re: Torture works?

              what I'm saying there are some people who CAN'T be intimidated.
              I don't imagine that anyone believes that everyone can be intimidated. So what? Even if only a small percentage of people were intimidated by torture, torturers would still have loads of fun torturing them. Chances are that torturers even enjoy torturing people who aren't intimidated by torture. I wouldn't know because it's not part of my nature to torture people.

    4. Pen-y-gors

      Re: Torture works?

      We all know torture doesn't work. But it's so satisfying, and such fun for the torturers! And obviously anyone being tortured by the US government deserv es it, because if they hadn't done anything wrong, then they wouldn't be getting tortured, would they?

  7. allthecoolshortnamesweretaken
    1. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      re: "Special Relationship"

      Thanks - catchy, with a definite swing to it. Time was (long ago) when a novel like Colin Forbes' "A United State" was intriguing and almost plausible (despite arguably being poorly written). It describes a scenario in which the USA actually invades and tries to conquer Britain.

      https://www.amazon.co.uk/This-United-State-Colin-Forbes/dp/0330374893/ref=sr_1_29?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1478775280&sr=1-29

      Today, however, the UK stands at one end of the spectrum of "soft power" victims, along with France and Germany. Without the slightest hint of brute force, air strikes or jackboots, we have been entirely taken over and controlled by the USA. Gradually, almost imperceptibly, even our language is being changed. Go into any cafe nowadays, and you'll hear everyone saying, "Can I get a latte...", etc. The correct British form used to be, "Please may I have... [probably a cup of tea]". Trivial, certainly, but it's one of thousands of tiny leaves in the wind. Among the more substantial changes, we now have a Supreme Court and a "Ministry of Justice". Shades of Orwell, it has accurately been said that any nation that has a ministry of justice has no justice. Just like a corporation that has a department of ethics.

  8. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    Stick to tech

    The Register used to be a tech site. It still should be: your childish political articles make a bit of a laughing stock.

    1. Bloodbeastterror

      Re: Stick to tech

      "childish political articles"

      Any article which summons a call to arms about torture has a place on *any* site, regardless of its main purpose.

    2. Anonymous Coward
      Alert

      Re: Stick to tech

      The Register used to be a tech site. It still should be: your childish political articles make a bit of a laughing stock.

      ... Says the coward who hides behind the anonymous moniker ...

    3. veti Silver badge

      Re: Stick to tech

      Intelligence sharing involves a lot of tech.

      And I'm sorry, but I don't think the world has much laughter to spare for El Reg right now. We've got bigger things to guffaw at. Naming no names.

      1. Pen-y-gors

        Re: Stick to tech

        If we didn't laugh, we'd open a vein...

    4. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      Re: Stick to tech

      So go elsewhere.

      Please.

    5. HausWolf

      Re: Stick to tech

      Upset they are calling out the orange buffoon savior?

  9. Anonymous Coward
    Facepalm

    Scaremongering

    Just pack it in.

    You're an IT site. Behave like one.

    Judge him by what he does now he's president. Because Obama, the great liberal hope, didn't get anything done really did he?

    1. Bloodbeastterror

      Re: Scaremongering

      Obama got less done than he had hoped because self-interested parties put blocks in his way. At least he tried.

      1. Anonymous Coward
        Anonymous Coward

        Re: Scaremongering

        "At least he tried".

        I'm not sure if I heard that right. Don't you mean, "at least he lied"? It seems quite obvious that he made all his campaign promises with his fingers firmly crossed behind his back. Otherwise you would have to believe that the president of the USA is virtually powerless, which I refuse to believe - despite all the bleating about "separation of powers". Whatever the tissue-thin coating of theory left covering the ugly reality, the fact is that today the president has more power than ever before. Congress obstructs him only when he wants it to; if he disagrees with Congress there are ample "executive powers", and the technique of the "signing statement" effectively means that he can treat a law forbidding X as one permitting X.

        Richard Nixon notoriously said that, "If the President does it, it isn't illegal". Today that has become constitutional reality. Truly an "Imperial Presidency", fit to rule the Empire of Chaos.

        1. Gio Ciampa

          Re: Scaremongering

          I don't recall Obama spending hours on end fillibustering to worm his way out of getting anything done

        2. Anonymous Coward
          Anonymous Coward

          Re: Scaremongering

          Richard Nixon notoriously said that, "If the President does it, it isn't illegal".

          Similarly so too did Charles I.

          1. Pompous Git Silver badge

            Re: Scaremongering

            Richard Nixon notoriously said that, "If the President does it, it isn't illegal".

            Similarly so too did Charles I.

            The Divine Right of Kings. Paradoxically Cardinal Robert Bellarmine (head of the Inquisition that tried Galileo for heresy) "did not believe that the institute of monarchy had any divine sanction". And as all right-thinking people know the Catholic Church was wrong about everything... [/sarc]

            1. Truckle The Uncivil

              Re: Scaremongering

              The Galileo trial was not about science or religion. It was about Galileo being a nasty little man. It is not relevant here and does not recommend or suggest anything about the prosecutor's nature.

    2. smartypants

      Re: Scaremongering

      He's not president, so till then, it's perfectly reasonable to judge him on his own claims about what he'd do when he takes over.

      I'm sure in time we will be blessed by the chance to discuss the consequences of his actions. Perhaps them you can come again and try to shut down that discussion too.

    3. Captain Badmouth

      Re: Scaremongering

      "Because Obama, the great liberal hope, didn't get anything done really did he?"

      What a strange, shallow statement, born of the playground.

      Try "Ya, boo sucks", next time.

      1. Anonymous Coward
        Anonymous Coward

        What a strange, shallow statement, born of the playground.

        Writes 'Captain Badmouth', aged 37 3/4. Jesus, give it up.

        1. Captain Badmouth

          Re: What a strange, shallow statement, born of the playground.

          I love the anon. cowards on here.

          I was of course referring to the way congress etc. has obstructed everything he's tried to do, and how word merchant conveniently ignored that fact.

          1. Anonymous Coward
            Anonymous Coward

            Re: What a strange, shallow statement, born of the playground.

            Yes, some for good reason regarding what's breaking. So did your parents really christen you Captain Badmouth? They must be some badass parents you have!

    4. veti Silver badge

      Re: Scaremongering

      So your suggestion is, "don't discuss or prepare for anything, because you don't know what's going to happen - wait til it does, and only then react"?

      That might explain quite a bit, actually. Thanks.

    5. Version 1.0 Silver badge

      Re: Scaremongering

      "You're an IT site. Behave like one."

      You're not a regular reader of the BOFH are you - these discussions are exactly what happens when we're looking at what you lusers are doing.

    6. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      Re: Scaremongering

      "You're an IT site. Behave like one".

      I believe that is a decision for the owners and editors of The Register. It's a free world; if you don't like The Register's articles, you are quite free to seek content more to your taste anywhere else.

  10. This post has been deleted by its author

  11. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grD_IINiH9c

  12. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    Hopefully some people finally realize...

    That the statement "I got nothing to hide" is bollocks. You might have felt comfortable with Obama being able to access your private data, how do you feel about Trump going over your personal history?

    As to Trumps statements regarding torture... Yes, there's a huge issue with IS in the Middle East. But let's not forget which country triggered the whole thing in the first place: that was none other than the US of A who deemed Saddam Houssein had to go. He might have been a tyrant but he also kept the region in check and under control.

    According to the US they liberated Iraq and the people are now free. Well, I'm not getting the impression that they're enjoying it very much.

  13. FuzzyTheBear
    Black Helicopters

    Wait ..

    Do you REALLY believe that's all they're doing ? Splashing a cloth with water ?

    Get real .. Behind the walls unseen .. in CIA's offshore prisons , for people they hand over to third parties this is not even the beginning of how they torture people. Intelligence is the dirtiest of all games , all countries have to play it. It's kept away from our eyes cause we would not be able to stand looking at how the game is really played . At how the people that are hired to do the job for us and our countries have to play the game . This is no fantasy , this is war .. no sides can afford to play any differently.

    1. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      Re: Wait ..

      Lincoln's remark about slavery applies equally to torture:

      "Whenever I hear any one arguing for slavery I feel a strong impulse to see it tried on him personally".

      - Abraham Lincoln; The Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln edited by Roy P. Basler, Volume VIII, "Speech to One Hundred Fortieth Indiana Regiment" (March 17, 1865), p. 361.

  14. MJI Silver badge

    I despair

    Everything is going to sh1t now.

    I think we need to keep away from the US for 4 years, then see what happens after their first chimp has finished his term, that is if he does.

    I think we need a strong Europe as well now

    1. FuzzyTheBear

      Re: I despair

      Wait ... can Canada join the EU ? :)

      And yes .. patriotic Canadian beavers are already hard at work erecting a wall all along the US/Canada border and preparing to send the bill to Donald ..

      And i thought electing Justin was bad :| Dang im proud of being THIS side of the border.

      1. Anonymous Coward
        Anonymous Coward

        Re: I despair

        "Wait ... can Canada join the EU ? :)"

        In a world where the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, founded to resist a Soviet invasion of Western Europe, bombs nations in Asia and Africa for frivolous reasons - no doubt. Anything at all is possible.

    2. Shades

      Re: I despair

      First chimp?

      *cough* Bush *cough*

  15. JLV

    This is actually an interesting point at which we'll see if Prez Trump acts like candidate Trump. Because it is so black and white.

    Different audiences, different realities. If the other Western agencies, and indeed US servicemen, call his bluff and refuse he might reconsider in light of the intelligence withdrawal. Of course that is assuming it wasn't just posturing. A charitable soul might think it was just pandering to the bigots.

    On the other hand, the worst outcome is a don't ask, don't tell, like Bush's policies of deporting to torture-friendly allies.

    But better the school of hard knocks on this subject to teach him the limits of going it alone than a full on trade war which no one can usually back off from without losing face.

    He's elected. So sad, too bad. Let's wait and see if the real guy aint a tiny bit less toxic than we've all (and that includes me) been expecting him to be. Many politicians end up having to learn to compromise when in power. In fact, as we say in French "mettre de l'eau dans son vin".

    Fingers crossed.

    1. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      A high standard

      "This is actually an interesting point at which we'll see if Prez Trump acts like candidate Trump".

      Why do you expect Trump to behave differently from all the previous presidents?

    2. Windrose

      Colour me surprised ...

      ... this time we are actually HOPING that the potus-elect LIED his way into office?

      ... nope, got no sarcasm to beat that one.

  16. Winkypop Silver badge

    Trump makes George W seem benign

    As for: "If comments made on the campaign trail by Donald Trump were sincere"

    Who knows.

    Trump can't tell the truth.

  17. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    I don't see it as a problem

    just pretend you didn't know. After all, it's all about pretences, false smiles, and "oh gosh, that's terrible, do you know anything about it, James?" "No madam, I certainly do not. And as you're well aware, the British Government strongly objects to any forms of torture".

  18. James 51

    We have people that want to do really bad things!

    Yes, and Trump is one of them. Doesn't matter if it works or not as long as it makes him macho seems to be his policy.

    "Britain and the United States have an enduring and special relationship based on the values of freedom, democracy and enterprise."

    Shouldn't respect for the law and human rights been included in that list?

    1. Rich 11

      Shouldn't respect for the law and human rights been included in that list?

      Only when convenient. Once you have leaders who live in fear, and who rattle sabres to try to convince everyone that they're not insecure and out of their depth, higher principles will quickly be sacrificed.

  19. scrubber

    Torture isn't even the biggest problem

    He wants to murder the families of (alleged) terrorists.

    1. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      Re: Torture isn't even the biggest problem

      Yet again, someone is complaining that Trump publicly says he would do something that has actually been done, consistently and on the very largest scale, for many years. The US sanctions on and invasion of Iraq alone have resulted in close to 3 million deaths. Including those 500,000 children to whose deaths Madeleine Albright copped on TV. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omnskeu-puE

      Do you really claim that killing the families of terrorists is worse than killing 500,000 children of wholly innocent families?

      Please note that I am strongly against the killing of anyone, especially children. I am just pointing out a certain inconsistency in some people's beliefs.

      1. James 51

        Re: Torture isn't even the biggest problem

        Trump is talking about the targeted assassination of non-combatants even if there is no pretense of a milatary target nearby. Morally you'll have a hard time seperating that from 9/11, 7/7 and Paris attacks; not to mention it just a matter of scale before you're looking at genocide.

        1. Anonymous Coward
          Anonymous Coward

          Re: Torture isn't even the biggest problem

          Such an argument looks a trifle odd, coming from a nation whose government has "accidentally" killed about 6 million civilians in South-East Asia and Iraq alone. Not mentioning Afghanistan, Libya, Syria, Yemen, Somalia, Yugoslavia, Ukraine...

      2. Patrician

        Re: Torture isn't even the biggest problem

        I think it's a difference of, well I'm not sure what to call it, but previously presidential candidates were careful not to come out in public stating things such as supporting waterboarding etc. and still sanctioned it; I'm worried how much further Trump allow US agencies to go considering his public support for it?

      3. Mr Commenty McComentface

        Re: Torture isn't even the biggest problem

        Archtech... not sure people are complaining that Trump condones torture, per se, or that it has been done for years. I think (hope?) what worries people is, outside of some of the more bonkers dictators, no World Leader openly approves of torture as it is "something no civilised country would do"! (yes yes we all know that is BS). Now, move the scale a bit, if Trump believes Torture is good and fine, what the hell kind of darkness does HE think "no civilised country would do"?

        I have no concerns nor issues if a person is taken out of the game because they have been proved to be a terrorist, but if that proof is derived from a process that forces a person to condemn themselves to either spare them theirs or someone else's agony it is utterly worthless. What would any of us say to spare mind bending agony? To spare our families the same? Torture only yields evidence that the torturer wants to hear. Occasionally that might be the truth, but by and large very unlikely.

        1. Anonymous Coward
          Anonymous Coward

          Re: Torture isn't even the biggest problem

          I see what you are driving at. But, leaving emotional reactions aside for a moment, can't you see that logically, a leader who openly says he favours doing something bad may be no worse - if not rather better - than someone who loudly says he disapproves of the same thing, but encourages his subordinates to do it secretly?

        2. Pompous Git Silver badge

          Re: Torture isn't even the biggest problem

          Torture only yields evidence that the torturer wants to hear. Occasionally that might be the truth, but by and large very unlikely.
          More correctly, what the torturer's employers want to hear. And what the employers want they get. And that is by definition the "truth".

    2. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      Re: Torture isn't even the biggest problem

      Moreover, the heretofore referenced CIA Torture Manual recommends torturing a suspect's family within earshot, to put pressure on him (or her).

      But it's wrong for Trump to suggest that a terrorist's family might be shot or blown up? Yet again, it's more a question of people not liking to hear about what is done in their name. As long as it's done in secret, no problem.

      1. Anonymous Coward
        Anonymous Coward

        Re: Torture isn't even the biggest problem

        Maybe the relationship with Trump will be far better than Clinton. Unbelievable things happening now regarding the Clintons heavy involvement with Epstein! The world has had a lucky escape! Can't believe the UK media is holding this back this morning.

        1. HausWolf

          Re: Torture isn't even the biggest problem

          You do realize Trumps is good friends with Epstein as well right?

          1. Anonymous Coward
            Anonymous Coward

            Re: Torture isn't even the biggest problem

            You do realize Trumps is good friends with Epstein as well right?

            We're talking about participation not just being friends.

            Do you know who else is also 'friends' with Epstein? Let's say not just Americans for now.

            1. HausWolf

              Re: Torture isn't even the biggest problem

              Well, there have been allegations of trump participating in some of his "activities" and he has been to Epsteins private island more than once as well.

  20. ritey

    it wont make any difference. they spy on each others people to get around the laws against them spying on their own people. they love screwing the law and wont let the small matter of torture get in the way of that.

  21. Anonymous South African Coward Bronze badge

    Interesting times ahead, fo'sho...

  22. peter 45

    Article title could do with some work

    ".....could mean the end of GCHQ-NSA relationship........officially"

    1. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      Re: Article title could do with some work

      Which would surely be a good thing?

  23. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    You don't have to look that far for examples of Torture

    When police use 'pain compliance' it can vary over a wide spectrum. One end of the spectrum clearly isn't Torture. But just as clearly, the other end is.

    There are plenty of examples where tasers are used as a tool of Torture. Going beyond their supposed purpose, and deep into clear-cut Torture.

    Because of semantics, it's never addressed.

    1. scrubber

      Re: You don't have to look that far for examples of Torture

      Ah tazers. Introduced as non-lethal firearm alternatives. We were promised they, and pepper spray, would only ever be used in situations where the only alternative would be a potentially deadly firearm. Like when teenagers get mouthy or students need some reeducation about who's in charge or when black males ... ah no, they still go straight to deadly force in that situation.

      1. Charles 9

        Re: You don't have to look that far for examples of Torture

        You realize people can (a) close distance very quickly and (b) can kill with their fists and feet. Such danger factors in neighborhoods already indifferent if not hostile to police puts them in very uncomfortable territory.

  24. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    Reagan came, Reagan went and the world wasn't destroyed. Patience folks, Trump comes and then will vanish like a fart in the wind and we can all move on.

    1. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      Yea, His judgment cometh and that right soon

      Right on brother, now where was that place in Mexico?

    2. scrubber

      Re: we can all move on

      Except his SC appointment(s) will still be there (Napolitano, Judge Judy?) And any executive action he takes and is approved by his SC will be there and available for any future president to use and abuse until a better SC comes along to overturn it.

    3. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      Another parallel

      Another president whose election caused almighty uproar - and eventually brought about the secession of the Southern states and the Civil War - was Abraham Lincoln. People called him "tyrant" too, and speculated as to where on the volutionary scale he rightly belonged. Washington smart asses wondered why scientists had bothered going all the way to the Congo in search of the "missing link" when (they said) there was such a perfect specimen in the White House.

      1. HausWolf

        Re: Another parallel

        To even pretend the the orange buffoon is anywhere near the intelligence level and human understanding of Lincoln is to insult missing links.

        1. Pompous Git Silver badge

          Re: Another parallel

          To even pretend the the orange buffoon is anywhere near the intelligence level and human understanding of Lincoln is to insult missing links.
          He is however intelligent enough to have achieved what Lincoln did and the Hildebeast didn't. Thinking back to Ronnie Rayguns (remember Star Wars?) I'm not at all sure that intelligence is a qualification for POTUS.

  25. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    'Even laying aside the enormous domestic law and eighth amendment issues this brings up, this will make it impossible for UK intelligence cooperation with the Trump administration across a range of intelligence programs. '

    Well officially at least...

  26. Kimo

    Be more concerned...

    ...that intelligence sharing exposes more data to Russia. That's a very real concern that warrents limiting what you give us.

  27. mintus55

    totally legal

    The author doesn't say that relying on torture is illegal in the UK - in the absence of any laws prohibiting complicity in torture, presumably things will just continue as before, i.e. UK security services can kidnap people at will and send them to foreign torture farms, without any hint of illegality.

  28. csmac3144

    Calm the f**k down

    Thiel got it right: the media (including this normally non-hysterical rag) take Trump literally, but not seriously. Trump's supporters take him seriously, but not literally. Trump says "I'll build a wall and get Mexico to pay". Trump supporters hear "we'll have a saner and more practical immigration system" (like every other country on the planet). The media takes him 100% literally and goes into a shrieking tizzy.

    There was a lot of campaign BS, but at the end of the day he's a pragmatist. The world isn't ending, so chill out.

  29. Dieter Haussmann

    Imagine you are the one of those 6 year old kids in Podesta's emails, locked in a dark room on Epstein Island's Babylonian Temple mockup when the door opens and there is Hillary with a knife grinning like a joker and getting ready for a spirit cokking party with Huma, the Podestas, Abramovic et al.. Imagine the terror you would feel.

    These satanic elites deserve to be tortured.

  30. HausWolf

    Did not say she got over 50%, did I? But she still got more votes than the orange buffoon.

  31. JaitcH
    WTF?

    "This presents a huge challenge for oversight, who need to be aware of the possibility that GCHQ..."

    So what's new?

    That bunch of thugs from MI have already participated in American torture sessions, they even had squaddies participating in Guantanamo.

    Then the hypocrisy of Western combatants turning around and squealing about their men being tortured and abused by the Freedom Fighters.

    Just because Americans wallow in their idea of 'fun' at ABU GHRAIB doesn't mean to say we Europeans have to join them, In earlier times that would have been enough to stop supporting them.

    1. mics39
      Pint

      Re: "This presents a huge challenge for oversight, who need to be aware ..."

      Sorry JaitcH, that downvote was mistake, I meant to upvote but got distracted. Owe you a pint.

  32. cantankerous swineherd

    Assumption that GCHQ is opposed to torture is incorrect; they either don't care or are in favour, definitely not opposed.

  33. Pompous Git Silver badge
    Unhappy

    Democracy

    Leonard Cohen's dead...

    Democracy

  34. netminder

    Putin's loss

    Given Trump's close economic ties to Russian banks & work Putin & company did to groom him not sharing intel with the US will at least reduce the chances the Russians will get it. Nice work USA! Elect a total incompetent moron as your leader because you don't like his opponent. Please don't pretend to be surprised he is exactly who he told you he was

  35. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    GCHQ and the NSA

    If the upcoming Trump administration were, hypothetically, to torture someone based in information WHICH GCHQ HAS ALREADY SHARED with the NSA, where would that leave HMG and the UK?

    Oh -- don't forget that Theresa May (as Home Secretary) wanted to abandon the European Convention on Human Rights in order to get away from the European Court of Human Rights. One wonders why?

    So -- hypothetically -- in 2017 we could have the Cheltenham-based STASI (sorry, GCHQ) cooperating with a neo-Nazi administration in Washington. What would this arrangement do for civil rights in the UK or the USA?

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