Thursday, April 24, 2008

John Ashcroft at Knox College...

John Ashcroft is a massive wanker and war criminal as we all know. He spoke at Knox college recently and got very testy when asked about torture by some of the students. He never really answers any questions and instead floats around the issues with political speak. Towards the end of the video he gets asked if he thought the US sentencing Japanese soldiers for water boarding were just sentences. Unfortunately his answer isn't on this video. Thankfully, the girl who asked the question wrote to the Daily Kos and they posted the transcript of her experience at the speech. Scroll past the video for his response to her question.




ASHCROFT: (interrupting) This is a speech, not a question. I don't mind, but it's not a question.
ME: It will be, sir, just give me a moment. The judgment describes this water treatment, and I quote, "the victim was bound or otherwise secured in a prone position; and water was forced through his mouth and nostrils into his lungs and stomach." One man, Yukio Asano, was sentenced to fifteen years hard labor by the allies for waterboarding American troops to obtain information. Since Yukio Asano was trying to get information to help defend his country--exactly what you, Mr. Ashcroft, say is acceptible for Americans to do--do you believe that his sentence was unjust? (boisterous applause and shouts of "Good question!")
ASHCROFT: (angrily) Now, listen here. You're comparing apples and oranges, apples and oranges. We don't do anything like what you described.
ME: I'm sorry, I was under the impression that we still use the method of putting a cloth over someone's face and pouring water down their throat...
ASHCROFT: (interrupting, red-faced, shouting) Pouring! Pouring! Did you hear what she said? "Putting a cloth over someone's face and pouring water on them." That's not what you said before! Read that again, what you said before!
ME: Sir, other reports of the time say...
ASHCROFT: (shouting) Read what you said before! (cries of "Answer her fucking question!" from the audience) Read it!
ME: (firmly) Mr. Ashcroft, please answer the question.
ASHCROFT: (shouting) Read it back!
ME: "The victim was bound or otherwise secured in a prone position; and water was forced through his mouth and nostrils into his lungs and stomach."
ASHCROFT: (shouting) You hear that? You hear it? "Forced!" If you can't tell the difference between forcing and pouring...does this college have an anatomy class? If you can't tell the difference between forcing and pouring...
ME: (firmly and loudly) Mr. Ashcroft, do you believe that Yukio Asano's sentence was unjust? Answer the question. (pause)
ASHCROFT: (more restrained) It's not a fair question; there's no comparison. Next question! (loud chorus of boos from the audience)



He calls Japanese watering boarding and American water boarding, APPLES and ORANGES!?! These war criminals love their semantics don't they. Is there really a big difference if you "pour" water into someones throat or "force" it in? I guess in Ashcroft's eyes the detainees are just drinking water, that's all. Then after they've had a glass or two they tell us they started the Chicago fire. When will these fuckers be held accountable and be put on trial for war crimes? What is it gonna take?

No comments: