Monday, December 4, 2006

I believe the appropriate response would be, 'Duh'.

Digby talks about a New York Times article on Jose Padilla. There's talk about how he's suffered so much that psychiatrists deem him unsuitable to stand trial. Naturally, the government isn't going to admit to torturing him, so what do they say about such allegations?
"His basic needs were met in a conscientious manner, including Halal (Muslim acceptable) food, clothing, sleep and daily medical assessment and treatment when necessary," the government stated. "While in the brig, Padilla never reported any abusive treatment to the staff or medical personnel."

Really? He didn't complain about abuse to the people who were abusing him? Why might that be?

Maybe because that he's been broken to the point where he suspects his own lawyers are part of an interrogative plot?
Mr. Padilla’s lawyers say they have had a difficult time persuading him that they are on his side.

From the time Mr. Padilla was allowed access to counsel, Mr. Patel visited him repeatedly in the brig and in the Miami detention center, and Mr. Padilla has observed Mr. Patel arguing on his behalf in Miami federal court.

But, Mr. Patel said in his affidavit, his client is nonetheless mistrustful. "Mr. Padilla remains unsure if I and the other attorneys working on his case are actually his attorneys or another component of the government’s interrogation scheme," Mr. Patel said.

Maybe because he's afraid of reprisal because he might have to suffer through it all again?
Dr. Hegarty said Mr. Padilla refuses to review the video recordings of his interrogations, which have been released to his lawyers but remain classified.

He is especially reluctant to discuss what happened in the brig, fearful that he will be returned there some day, Mr. Patel said in his affidavit.

Maybe because he's been broken to the point where he simply doesn't react at all?
In his affidavit, Mr. Patel said, "I was told by members of the brig staff that Mr. Padilla's temperament was so docile and inactive that his behavior was like that of 'a piece of furniture.' "

No, I suppose it's because interrogators are known for treating prisoners like candy and sunshine.

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