Land of the Free

The Washington Post yesterday reported that references to FBI concerns over interrogation techniques at Guantanamo Bay had been deleted from a memo before it's public release:
" FBI agents and officials had complained about the shackling of detainees to the floor for periods exceeding 24 hours, without food and water; the draping of a detainee in an Israeli flag; and the use of growling dogs to scare detainees."

The unedited memo has now been released by Democrat Senator Carl M. Levin. The references had been removed by the Justice Department who now seem unwilling to explain why this had been done. The Defense Department have said that interrogation techniques have been reviewed in response to concerns from other government departments.

Today's Washington Post has another article concerning the Guantanamo Bay detainees. The Pentagon is still trying to transfer many detainees into the custody of other nations. These other nations may, or may not, use interrogation techniques which the US Defense Department can no longer employ. Previous mention of this can be found here. The federal judge continues to resist the Pentagons plans.

In an article on another issue, The Guardian provides more evidence of US freedoms at work. Have a look at the list of people refused entry to the US since the start of the "War on Terror". I don't think I'll be booking a holiday to the US this year. I'm sure they'd let me in but it's probably best not to take the chance just in case.