The American Dream Revisited Torture Pays

 

By Louis Petrone

 

Last week’s column described how the American dream is no more. However, there are exceptions to everything. The American dream in this instance being the economic success of a certain few.

 

 

This past week, the long awaited report on U.S. interrogation methods was published. Virtuous it was not. It tore to shreds our image of being the good guy. The U.S. came across as bad as certain other countries when it came to torture. The Germans and Japanese in World War II and the Communist regime in general come to mind.

 

 

The media has been replete with the story. For purposes of this column, I am interested in only one facet. The people who devised and implemented what has become known as enhanced interrogation techniques.

 

 

Two individuals primarily were responsible. The U.S. rewarded them for their efforts with a payment of $81 million over three years. Their story triggered this supplement to last week’s column The American Dream…gone, Gone, GONE. The reason being that they achieved the American dream of economic success. $81 million and in only three years.

 

 

The U.S. has a bad policy of contracting out many activities involved with war efforts. One was a torture program following 9/11. The two engaged were James Mitchell and John “Bruce” Jessen.

 

 

Neither had spectacular backgrounds. Neither earned big dollars till they got into the terrorist business on their own. Both were former Air Force military psychologists. Jessen had once been a Mormon bishop. Toward the end of their military careers, they were involved in a program called SERE. SERE taught certain American troops how to survive in case of capture and interrogation.

 

 

In 2005, Mitchell and Jessen were retained by the CIA to help develop, operate and assess the CIA’s interrogation efforts. Neither had any experience as an interrogator. Nor specialized knowledge of al-Qaeda. In addition, neither had any specialized cultural or linguistic experience.

 

 

The CIA did not want to handle the tortured interrogation of captured al-Qaeda jailed in Guantanamo and other places worldwide. They did not believe torture worked. However, pressure was coming from somewhere.

 

 

Mitchell and Jessen appeared to know what they were doing. The CIA found a way to pass the buck. Mitchell and Jessen were retained nominally in 2005. Beginning in 2006, they were contracted by the CIA to handle what became known as the enhanced interrogation of captured al-Qaeda.

 

 

Here is where the American dream comes into play. Mitchell and Jessen were awarded a $180 million contract. What could be more of a realization of the American dream?

 

 

Their primary task was to develop enhanced interrogation techniques. Mitchell and Jessen conned the CIA from day one. Lacking in significant experience, they drew up a list of enhanced interrogation techniques from those used by the Nazis and Communists. No original thought involved, except to copy what had been done in the past.

 

 

Technically, the contract was with a company known as Mitchell, Jessen and Associates in Spokane, Washington. Though there were seven partners, Mitchell and Jessen were the principals.

 

 

Obama’s election in 2008 screwed up Mitchell and Jessen’s contractual relationship. In 2009, Obama banned enhanced interrogation. There was no further need for Mitchell and Jessen’s purported expertise. The government terminated the contract. Mitchell and Jessen had been paid $81 million up to that time.

 

 

Mitchell and Jessen initially provided 20 enhanced techniques. The CIA acting general counsel at the time described the 20 as “…..sadistic and terrifying.” The 20 were reduced to 10 techniques. Included were water boarding, rectal feedings, sleep deprivation, mock executions and intense psychological manipulation. One technique which they recommended that was tossed involved a mock burial.

 

 

Mitchell and Jessen basically performed three functions for the $81 million. They developed the list of enhanced interrogation techniques. They personally conducted interrogations of certain of the more significant detainees using their methods. They evaluated detainees’ psychological state to determine if a detainee could handle more enhanced interrogation.

 

 

The contract also provided Mitchell and Jessen initially with $1,000 a day tax free retainers. 

 

 

A sense of wrongdoing was developing by 2007. Complaints were arising. The CIA at that time provided a multi-year indemnification agreement to Mitchell and Jessen’s company. The purpose of the additional agreement was to protect Mitchell and Jessen’s company and its employees from legal liability. The CIA has since paid out more than $1 million per the indemnification agreement.

 

 

No question, Mitchell and Jessen experienced the American dream big time. We should all experience an $81 million windfall over a three-year period!

 

 

I cannot help but wonder how Mitchell and Jessen will be received when they meet St. Peter at the Pearly Gates.

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