We've suddenly got a big crush on Stephen King. In a startlingly witty interview with Time magazine, he calls Britney Spears "trailer trash," reveals that he's working on a musical with John Cougar Mellancamp (about '50s ghosts, and with "homosexual subtext"!), and that he thinks someone from the Bush family should do some personal research on waterboarding:So I said something to the Nightline guy about waterboarding, and if the Bush administration didn't think it was torture, they ought to do some personal investigation. Someone in the Bush family should actually be waterboarded so they could report on it to George. I said, I didn't think he would do it, but I suggested Jenna be waterboarded and then she could talk about whether or not she thought it was torture.
We have nothing against the Bush girls, but this is a brilliant plan, and a fantastic slogan for those of us who are ashamed of our country for condoning torture and then having the gall to say it's not really torture. How long do you think it will be before we can buy a "Waterboard Jenna!" T-shirt?
Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 6)
1. Maybe we should have one of mr. Kings relatives strapped into a plane with al quada trash wired with explosives. Then we can ask him if we should have the plane flown through a sky scrapper. Then we can ask him how he feels that we didn't get the information out of a terrorist in custody because we couldn't use aggressive interogation.
Keith at 12:48PM on Nov 26th 2007
2. It wouldn't work. Let's face it, after years of drunken, margarita-fueled, wet t-shirt contests in Cabo, Jenna Bush is probably more conditioned to withstand waterboarding than even the most hardened Cold War KGB operative.
I'd suggest First Lady, Laura Bush, but she's medicated to the point where her head could be on fire and she'd simply adjust the thermostat. In her world, waterboarding would actually be a day at the beach.
I think the only way to fully demonstrate that waterboarding is torture would be to waterboard every member of both House and Senate.
Dan at 12:56PM on Nov 26th 2007
3. #1 - Keith. Perhaps and more likely...a completely innocent person with a name similar to a suspected terrorist is picked off the streets and flown to another country where they are tortured until they make up some information that sends another person to prison, without a trial, for the rest of their life.
Personally, I would rather die than violate my personal morals on the use of torture. Do you have any principles that are worth your life?
alan at 1:08PM on Nov 26th 2007
4. I dont have a problem with water boarding someone who might have information that could save hundreds or thousands of my fellow citizens lives. Its a matter of fact that we have only used this treatment 3 times and information was received that did indeed save lives. The enemy will continue to cut off heads and blow people up no matter how much we restrain ourselves in using this treatment of terriorists. Consider this, the next family saved may be your own! Then again maybe your family isnt that important to you, its more important to REMEMBER THE CIVIL RIGHTS OF THE EMEMY!!! Some of you had better get a clue and grow the hell up! And your suggestion to use Jena, our Presidents daughter as you have in your column for a cheap laugh, is disgraceful and hateful.
Marla at 1:30PM on Nov 26th 2007
5. The whole article itself was a good one. I think Mr. King like most of us is very concern about what is and has been going on in our country. It's true that too many Americans seem more concerned with reality TV and trivial trash rather than taking an interest in the affairs of the nation. Rather than getting involved and learning about our Constitution and holding our representatives acountable for thier actions, or lack there off.
Many of us are frustrated with the incompetence of this president and his administration. Not to mentioned the blantan disregard and disrespect for our Constitution for the laws of the land. Yes, they are excellent talkers and deceivers and twisters of the truth. I am in awe of the ability these new breed of leaders have. They can march to one tune speak one language, always rule with fear.
I am also in AWE and extremely frustrated that not enough Conservatives have come out and speak out against this Administration that has ruined the Republican Party. But that is the sick beauty of the GOP, even when some know it's wrong, when they should speak out... they don't!! The party comes first!! Well.... what about the people, the nation coming first. Is it really that important to simply win??? Over taking the high road and doing what is right???
We are no better, all we have done is sit back and take it. We spent time on these blogs and we sling insults to one another, while these guys get away with MURDER, TORTURE, MONEY for themselves and their friends.
So when someone like Mr. King gets fed up and speaks out, the words are usually too strong. While I understand his anger, his frustration, his rage. I belive that sometimes we need to choose our words wisely, because otherwise we end up hurting the very cause we must defend!! I'm sure he would not want Bushe's daughter to be tortured. In fact none of us wants that! However, anger sometimes makes us say dumb things. And even though he speaks a lot of truth his comment are disregarded.
And Mr. Bush continues to do whatever the hell he pleases. He is such a disgrace!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Patty at 1:53PM on Nov 26th 2007
6. WHAT PEOPLE SEEM TO BE FORGETTING IS THESE TERRIORISTS ARE ABLE TO GET UP AND WALK AWAY AFTER THEY'VE HAD WATER SPRAYED UP THEIR UGLY NOSES UNLIKE THE MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN WHO HAVE THEIR BODIES RIPPED TO SHREADS FROM BOMBS THEIR ILK SET OFF IN CROWDS. THEY HAVE TO BE STOPPED SOMEHOW AND I SAY DO WHAT EVER IT TAKES TO RID THE WORLD OF THE KIND OF PEOPLE WHO WOULD DO THESE HORRIBLE THINGS TO THE INNOCENT. HELL, FORGET ABOUT WATER BOARDING GIVE THE ASSHOLES THE GAS CHAMBER OR THE ELECTRIC CHAIR LIKE WE DO TO THE VILE, PERVERSE, MURDERERS IN OUR OWN COUNTRY!
JOHN at 2:00PM on Nov 26th 2007
7. wow Alan what a wonderful fantasy world you live in. I think I would rater keep my family safe from terrorism. In fact I would rater be tortured by my Govt. than have something bad happen to my family.
aj at 2:04PM on Nov 26th 2007
8. The japanese used waterboarding in WWll and it was determined in the war trials to be torture. So why is it not torture now? Just because Bush and Cheney say it's not torture does not make it so! This administration has violated the Geneva Convention and Haugue Conventions and are further endangering our own troops who may be captured. Neither Bush or Cheney would ever have to worry about these tortures because they would not serve their country. AWOL Bush and deferment Dick want no part of war unless of course they can declare it and have others fight and die for their business interests and war profiteering. The people that amaze me are the ones who sacrifice their children for these monsters. Don't they bother to try to understand what is happeneing or do they just follow along like sheep led to slaughter?
Rick at 2:16PM on Nov 26th 2007
9. HELL, FORGET ABOUT WATER BOARDING GIVE THE ASSHOLES THE GAS CHAMBER OR THE ELECTRIC CHAIR LIKE WE DO TO THE VILE, PERVERSE, MURDERERS IN OUR OWN COUNTRY!
JOHN at 2:00PM on Nov 26th 2007
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John, think about this. If someone was torturing you to get information. Would you not say anything at all ASAP to get those people to stop??? What if you have a son in the war and he is captured and tortured to get information out of him, how would you feel to find out that he either died that way or will be damaged in someway??
In my opinion we do not need to torture people, regardless of who they are. We know that it is against the law, and we are not above the law! And our nation is better than this!!
However, while this may sound hypocritical on my part, I do agree with you 100% that any known and captured terrorist who has killed should be executed!! Get it done, GET IT DONE FAST!!! Just as those criminals in our nation that murder and rape!! I just want to make sure we have the right Criminal or Terrorist on death row.
Don't buy into "we only have 2 minutes and people will die" We must tortured to find out where and how to stop that bomb. Honestly these people would not tell us the truth!! They are willing to blow themselves up to make their sick point. Dying to let that "BOMB" go off would be the best thing that the terrorist would belive could happen to him. He gets to die a HERO!! Or some crap like that.
Patty at 2:16PM on Nov 26th 2007
10. ITS AMAZING TO ME HOW LITTLE REGUARD SOME SEEM TO HAVE FOR THE HEALTH AND WELFARE OF THEIR OWN... OVER THOSE OF OUR ENEMIES! I CERTAINLY WOULDNT WANT SOME OF YOU BLEEDING HEARTS AT MY BACK IF I WERE IN THE MILITARY FIGHTING FOR YOUR FREEDOMS AND THOSE OF THE "LAW ABIDING" IN THE MIDDLE EAST TODAY. YOUR WHINNY BUTTS MAKE ME FEAR FOR "OUR" FUTURE AND THAT OF "OUR" FUTURE GENERATIONS...IS THERE ANYTHING WORTH FIGHTING FOR TO SOME OF YOU? GOOD LORD WHATS HAPPENED TO YOUR BACK BONES? BUCK UP ALREADY!!
SARA at 2:24PM on Nov 26th 2007
11. It's amazing that there are people who think that the "information" gained from torture isn't the least bit suspect.
Haven't any of you who support torture considered that someone might say just about anything to get the torture to stop? You know, that's how the Checka/KGB would get the "counter-revolutionaries" to admit to all the charges: torture them. No matter that we know the charges were trumped-up, right? I mean, they had to be guilty, or else they wouldn't have confessed, right?
Think about that, all you who really just want revenge for 9/11. We all know that it has nothing to do with wanting information, and everything to do with vengeance for 9/11. Well too bad: all those hijackers are DEAD! Torturing others won't make 9/11 not have happened. Deal with it.
Knight_of_BAAWA at 2:37PM on Nov 26th 2007
12. Yeah, if I had a terriorist setting in a room that knew a bomb was set up in an American city (could be yours) to go off and kill thousands... I wouldnt do a thing to stop it because I believe he has RIGHTS as a human being not to have to answer any questions I might have for him concerning the issue. Besides I have all the time in the world to set and TALK to him about how many thousands of men, women, and children would die, KNOWING he would come to his senses even thought he has been TAUGHT FROM CHILDHOOD that this is his mission in life and he and his family will be rewarded for his GOOD DEEDS by destroying the infidels ...Anyway we all know waterboarding has never worked before as far as getting true and accurate information from these guys...Oh wait..it did work before! NEVER MIND.
Carrie at 2:42PM on Nov 26th 2007
13. Good idea ! Except their children, those of the elite are protected from harm. That is why we can't have a draft. Imagine those upper class children in Iraq? I don't think so ! We can keep sending those reservists back time after time after time.....but don't risk the lives of the children of the elite! They are special. Just as the rich have their separate justice system, they should not mix in the military with the lower classes.
Rick at 2:52PM on Nov 26th 2007
14. Some of you obviously are ignorant of the facts. Even tho we have only used this technique three times (OMG!!) water boarding has indeed worked, and we have gotten correct information, that did stop attacks on us. Look it up, educate yourselves and quit getting your taking points from the uninformed, its embarrassing.
PAUL at 2:55PM on Nov 26th 2007
15. #13 I for one am happy we have a volunteer millitary. They make a better force because it is their choice. Some people are born to be warriors...and some arent. Anyway, before you mouth off you need to check your facts about who is serving. Duncan Hunter(R) and John McCain(R) both have sons serving, as do lots of other people whose sons and daughters are educated and arent "lower class"...Your words! Rick your class envy is showing.
SUE at 3:17PM on Nov 26th 2007