On December 9th, the U.S. Senate decided to declassify and release a detailed report on the findings of an investigation of the CIA’s “advanced interrogation techniques.” It was a report that went into detail about the interrogation techniques and treatments of detainees under CIA supervision in secret facilities. It goes on to describe the “atrocities” (I use that term loosely) that were conducted and how the CIA failed to report these instances. The release of the report was backed by the White House.
Surprise, surpise.
The question is, why does this report need to be released, especially when we understand the possible fallout from such a report?
If we thought that terrorist organizations were having a fun time recruiting before, think of the propaganda they can conjure up with this tidbit of information. People now have yet another reason to flock to these cults. People already hate us enough as is, but we now gave them another reason to attack our service members overseas that are trying to do their job.
An image we have seen before, and will continue to become more familiar with. Photo courtesy of news.yahoo.com.
Embassies and military installations were placed on high alert almost as soon as the report was released. We knew that this release might have a negative outcome, yet we decided to go forth and release the documents anyway. Did we really think it was worth it? If another Benghazi occurs with this information as the motivation for the attack, was it still worth it?
For whatever reason, we still think that we can reason with this ideology. The White House felt it needed to back this release because it would show that the U.S. could man up when it made a mistake. Do we not understand that our enemy lacks honor and doesn’t care if we admit to our mistakes? Do we not understand that this enemy will only use this information to influence young children to become future martyrs and take down innocent civilians while doing so? Trying to reason with our enemies today is like trying to reason with a rabid baboon. Only, you may have more luck with the baboon.
What bothers me most about all of this is the complete lack of loyalty to our warfighters. I remember back in Afghanistan, 2006, when one of our brothers in arms was being investigated for murder while doing his job as a warfighter. Some of you know what I am speaking of. I couldn’t believe it then, and I can’t believe it now. We asked these patriots to do what’s necessary to protect our way of life and hunt down these booger eaters.
Yet, here we are, years later, throwing them to the wolves. As much as something like this can increase the recruiting efforts of our enemies, it can damage all of ours. How many people will be lining up to fight our enemies knowing that in the future they may be brought up on charges and possibly ridiculed by the very people who asked them to fight?
On December 9th, the U.S. Senate decided to declassify and release a detailed report on the findings of an investigation of the CIA’s “advanced interrogation techniques.” It was a report that went into detail about the interrogation techniques and treatments of detainees under CIA supervision in secret facilities. It goes on to describe the “atrocities” (I use that term loosely) that were conducted and how the CIA failed to report these instances. The release of the report was backed by the White House.
Surprise, surpise.
The question is, why does this report need to be released, especially when we understand the possible fallout from such a report?
If we thought that terrorist organizations were having a fun time recruiting before, think of the propaganda they can conjure up with this tidbit of information. People now have yet another reason to flock to these cults. People already hate us enough as is, but we now gave them another reason to attack our service members overseas that are trying to do their job.
An image we have seen before, and will continue to become more familiar with. Photo courtesy of news.yahoo.com.
Embassies and military installations were placed on high alert almost as soon as the report was released. We knew that this release might have a negative outcome, yet we decided to go forth and release the documents anyway. Did we really think it was worth it? If another Benghazi occurs with this information as the motivation for the attack, was it still worth it?
For whatever reason, we still think that we can reason with this ideology. The White House felt it needed to back this release because it would show that the U.S. could man up when it made a mistake. Do we not understand that our enemy lacks honor and doesn’t care if we admit to our mistakes? Do we not understand that this enemy will only use this information to influence young children to become future martyrs and take down innocent civilians while doing so? Trying to reason with our enemies today is like trying to reason with a rabid baboon. Only, you may have more luck with the baboon.
What bothers me most about all of this is the complete lack of loyalty to our warfighters. I remember back in Afghanistan, 2006, when one of our brothers in arms was being investigated for murder while doing his job as a warfighter. Some of you know what I am speaking of. I couldn’t believe it then, and I can’t believe it now. We asked these patriots to do what’s necessary to protect our way of life and hunt down these booger eaters.
Yet, here we are, years later, throwing them to the wolves. As much as something like this can increase the recruiting efforts of our enemies, it can damage all of ours. How many people will be lining up to fight our enemies knowing that in the future they may be brought up on charges and possibly ridiculed by the very people who asked them to fight?
The report was still released with not much to gain, but a ton to risk. Is this the work of a nation trying to amend its mistakes? Or is this the work of an administration trying to save its own reputation by placing blame on others?
(Featured Image Courtesy: NPR)
As someone who’s seen what happens when the truth is distorted, I know how unfair it feels when those who’ve sacrificed the most lose their voice. At SOFREP, our veteran journalists, who once fought for freedom, now fight to bring you unfiltered, real-world intel. But without your support, we risk losing this vital source of truth. By subscribing, you’re not just leveling the playing field—you’re standing with those who’ve already given so much, ensuring they continue to serve by delivering stories that matter. Every subscription means we can hire more veterans and keep their hard-earned knowledge in the fight. Don’t let their voices be silenced. Please consider subscribing now.
One team, one fight,
Brandon Webb former Navy SEAL, Bestselling Author and Editor-in-Chief
Barrett is the world leader in long-range, large-caliber, precision rifle design and manufacturing. Barrett products are used by civilians, sport shooters, law enforcement agencies, the United States military, and more than 75 State Department-approved countries around the world.
PO Box 1077 MURFREESBORO, Tennessee 37133 United States
Scrubba Wash Bag
Our ultra-portable washing machine makes your journey easier. This convenient, pocket-sized travel companion allows you to travel lighter while helping you save money, time and water.
Our roots in shooting sports started off back in 1996 with our founder and CEO, Josh Ungier. His love of airguns took hold of our company from day one and we became the first e-commerce retailer dedicated to airguns, optics, ammo, and accessories. Over the next 25 years, customers turned to us for our unmatched product selection, great advice, education, and continued support of the sport and airgun industry.
COMMENTS
There are on this article.
You must become a subscriber or login to view or post comments on this article.