Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

'I'm not a doctor but...': Ex-CIA chief defends rectal rehydration of inmates

Michael Hayden claimed the report is wrong when it says the technique was used for interrogation.

CNN / YouTube

THE FORMER HEAD of the CIA General Michael Hayden defended the use of rectal rehydration on terror suspects.

Speaking to CNN, Hayden denied that rectal rehydration and feeding were used as a method of interrogation, insisting that they were used as a “medical procedure” for reasons of “detainee health”.

A US Senate report published on Tuesday said that the procedure was one of those used as a method of interrogation but Hayden suggested during the interview that the authors of the report were not impartial.

The report states that the procedure was indeed used to force feed inmates who were on hunger-strike, this included an instance of a detainee being rectally fed a puréed mixture of hummus, pasta, nuts and raisins.

The report also outlines that at least one inmate was subjected to rectal rehydration “without a determination of medical need”.

The report states that this was done to illustrate the interrogator’s “total control over the detainee.”

But Hayden took issue with interviewer Jake Tapper’s assertion that the methods were not medically necessary.

“Jake, I’m not a doctor and neither are you but what I’m told is this is one of the ways that the body is rehydrated,” he said.

“The Democrats in the (Senate) committee have used one half-assed unwarranted comment in one email to justify the story, that you have now bought hook, line and sinker, that we used this to abuse other human beings.”

Yesterday, former US vice-president Dick Cheney described the damning report into the CIA’s torture of terror suspects as “full of crap”.

Read: UN official calls for Bush and Cheney to be charged with torture >

Read: Department of Foreign Affairs: Shannon Airport was not used to facilitate torture >

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
54 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tony Skillington
    Favourite Tony Skillington
    Report
    Dec 12th 2014, 7:38 PM

    Would he try it I wonder?

    281
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ailbhe O'Nolan
    Favourite Ailbhe O'Nolan
    Report
    Dec 12th 2014, 7:44 PM

    That’s the thing, if you asked them would they go through anything they put others through, I can guarantee you they wouldn’t.

    139
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mark Miller
    Favourite Mark Miller
    Report
    Dec 12th 2014, 7:45 PM

    You hold him down and I’ll bring the funnel. I’m sure I have one in the car for topping up the oil.

    93
    See 6 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Cuppantae
    Favourite Cuppantae
    Report
    Dec 12th 2014, 7:54 PM

    Sounds nice…bit of lightly toasted pitta, would make a nice dip…

    28
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute E
    Favourite E
    Report
    Dec 12th 2014, 8:47 PM

    I’d say a slurry pump might be more suitable for this chap Mark.

    54
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute D is Illusioned
    Favourite D is Illusioned
    Report
    Dec 12th 2014, 8:59 PM

    I think he already has had it done, why else would crap be coming from his mouth instead of being expelled in the normal way. Arse about face.

    70
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kerrill Thornhill
    Favourite Kerrill Thornhill
    Report
    Dec 12th 2014, 9:21 PM

    So the US goverment employed anal rape as a torture technique on these suspects – many of whom were falsely accused and many of whom died in custody.
    The hydration excuse is absolutely pathetic – this is rape, torture and murder without trial or due process. Why is there so little outrage in the media over this?
    I’m struggling to find this story amusing..

    117
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dermot Ryan
    Favourite Dermot Ryan
    Report
    Dec 12th 2014, 9:52 PM

    America are giving the Vatican a run for their money in abuse , denial and cover-up ….

    75
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute E
    Favourite E
    Report
    Dec 13th 2014, 8:06 AM

    Culinary Forced Sodomy Torture
    The Yanks have steeped to a new low.

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute littleone
    Favourite littleone
    Report
    Dec 12th 2014, 7:46 PM

    Trying to defend the indefensible shocking.

    74
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Lane
    Favourite Paul Lane
    Report
    Dec 12th 2014, 7:46 PM

    Primitive savages

    72
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute D is Illusioned
    Favourite D is Illusioned
    Report
    Dec 12th 2014, 7:39 PM

    Could only come from an American.

    66
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tom Red
    Favourite Tom Red
    Report
    Dec 12th 2014, 7:47 PM

    A hole bottle of lucozade would hydrate anyone for a full week….

    57
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Biscuits Patinkin
    Favourite Biscuits Patinkin
    Report
    Dec 12th 2014, 7:54 PM

    Actually lucozade dehydrates, should never be used to if dehydrated. Does have an absolutely enormous what if sugar though, which does soothe hungover heads. Not that I think the army “doctors” we’re really thinking too much about rehydration either…. Ever heard of a drip, lads?? No??

    49
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Biscuits Patinkin
    Favourite Biscuits Patinkin
    Report
    Dec 12th 2014, 7:55 PM

    *Enormous whack of sugar. Loads of other typos too. Sorry 4 hours sleep since Wednesday morning.

    25
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Art Vandelay
    Favourite Art Vandelay
    Report
    Dec 12th 2014, 9:33 PM

    It would in it’s whole…

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute john Appleseed
    Favourite john Appleseed
    Report
    Dec 12th 2014, 8:10 PM

    I’m surprised at all the red arrows. Do people here really think they were justified? Look at the North of Ireland 30 years of troubles. That’s what happens from bully boy tactics. Resentment and fear

    53
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Larry Doherty
    Favourite Larry Doherty
    Report
    Dec 12th 2014, 10:09 PM

    If it was acceptable to charge the Nazis and more recent war criminals in Yugoslavia, Cambodia and Africa then these war criminals should also face justice. These were the people who lectured the world on rogue states and lied about weapons of mass destruction. These are the people who hanged Saadam Hussein and his associates as war criminals. Bush, Cheney, Runsfield et al plus their minions in the CIA are responsible for the deaths of literally hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians on a scale similar to Nazi atrocities in World War II. They are also responsible for the mess that is now the Middle East stretching from Afghanistan to Central Africa to Libya and Europe which will lead to millions dying in the years ahead as the radicalisation of thousands of Muslims in Britain and across the world takes place. What a legacy! These war criminals need to be pursued and punished similar to the Nazi hunts after World War II. Justice must be done and be seen to be done.

    51
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Joseph O'Regan
    Favourite Joseph O'Regan
    Report
    Dec 12th 2014, 8:18 PM

    Fascist thugs !

    46
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Austin Rock
    Favourite Austin Rock
    Report
    Dec 12th 2014, 9:59 PM

    Maybe this guy needs a dose of rectal rehydration. These people are so morally bankrupt they actually believe their own crap, excuse the pun.

    45
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute mrs b
    Favourite mrs b
    Report
    Dec 12th 2014, 8:44 PM

    Just awful. The cruelty of people never ceases to amaze me.

    40
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Larry Doherty
    Favourite Larry Doherty
    Report
    Dec 12th 2014, 10:14 PM

    Would you not think it was just a wee bit perverted to shove a tube up his rear end, supposedly to feed him, – saying later that they used the biggest tube they could find. Hardly in the interests of the patient I would say.

    Also they were hardly looking for critical intelligence when they left a man chained to a wall for 17 days without anyone going near him. This was a war crime and Bush, etc. will go down in history alongside Hitler, Pol Pot, Milošević and Mladic.

    36
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Hevin Bear Kiggins
    Favourite Hevin Bear Kiggins
    Report
    Dec 12th 2014, 7:40 PM

    What public hospitals fo that to their patients? This is discusting

    31
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Leslie Skinner
    Favourite Leslie Skinner
    Report
    Dec 12th 2014, 7:41 PM

    Whatever way you look at it,they got a bum deal

    30
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Kelly
    Favourite John Kelly
    Report
    Dec 12th 2014, 8:26 PM

    Couldn’t be arsed with those Water charges!!

    23
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Harry byrne
    Favourite Harry byrne
    Report
    Dec 12th 2014, 8:33 PM

    Sounds Like something Heston Blumenthal invented

    20
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mary Kavanagh
    Favourite Mary Kavanagh
    Report
    Dec 13th 2014, 1:22 AM

    If it’s so efficient and medically sound why don’t hospitals throw away their saline IV’s and rehydrate rectally? My bullsh$tometer has gone off the scale!

    19
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mary McMahon
    Favourite Mary McMahon
    Report
    Dec 13th 2014, 3:13 AM

    Plenty of innocent men ended up in these hell holes ,some turned in because of the financial reward that was been offered ,others because of grudges .When 9/11 happened they didn’t question the Saudi’s in the USA they were flown out of the country on special chartered planes ,they did not even have to go through customs,despite the fact 11 of the hijackers were Saudi’s .those interrogators are are just as psychotic as the people they claim to be fighting .

    19
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Symbolism
    Favourite Symbolism
    Report
    Dec 12th 2014, 7:50 PM

    Disgusting. Hummus, pasta, nuts and raisins !

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brendan Julian
    Favourite Brendan Julian
    Report
    Dec 12th 2014, 8:52 PM

    Does the rectum have taste buds?

    24
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paddy Hannigan
    Favourite Paddy Hannigan
    Report
    Dec 12th 2014, 8:57 PM

    I’m pretty sure you could tell if they were using chilli nuts.

    24
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brendan Julian
    Favourite Brendan Julian
    Report
    Dec 12th 2014, 10:23 PM

    So if it goes in the rectum i présume it comes out the mouth. Hence the saying ARE YOU TALKING SHITE

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dan The Man
    Favourite Dan The Man
    Report
    Dec 12th 2014, 7:45 PM

    Giving ideas to Irish Water

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Johnny Walnut
    Favourite Johnny Walnut
    Report
    Dec 12th 2014, 10:35 PM

    After 911 nobody cared what was done to these terrorists. Are we forgetting that. These are TERRORISTS. I couldn’t care less if the rehydrated them up the hole with a pressure washer.

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dermot Ryan
    Favourite Dermot Ryan
    Report
    Dec 12th 2014, 11:57 PM

    define terrorist ………..

    22
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David Jordan
    Favourite David Jordan
    Report
    Dec 13th 2014, 1:05 AM

    Isn’t it traditional to have a trial before considering someone guilty?

    31
    See 5 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mary Kavanagh
    Favourite Mary Kavanagh
    Report
    Dec 13th 2014, 1:30 AM

    The man with the smaller bomb I believe, Dermot – attributed, rightly or wrongly, to Brendan Behan.

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mary Kavanagh
    Favourite Mary Kavanagh
    Report
    Dec 13th 2014, 1:31 AM

    Not if they’re deemed to be a terrorist and it’s the US deciding what to do with them.

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dermot Ryan
    Favourite Dermot Ryan
    Report
    Dec 13th 2014, 4:25 AM

    Thanks for that Mary …. Behan was no fool, haunted but no fool .

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dermot Ryan
    Favourite Dermot Ryan
    Report
    Dec 13th 2014, 4:26 AM

    The man with the bigger propaganda machine !

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dermot Ryan
    Favourite Dermot Ryan
    Report
    Dec 13th 2014, 4:26 AM

    ….isn’t

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Parsons
    Favourite Paul Parsons
    Report
    Dec 12th 2014, 8:08 PM

    I might go to the bookies and get odds on this becoming the new neck nominate craze; rectal…. chugging. Dammit I swear I had something for this.

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute dominic jones
    Favourite dominic jones
    Report
    Dec 12th 2014, 8:43 PM

    I think he’d like it

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ron North
    Favourite Ron North
    Report
    Dec 12th 2014, 8:11 PM

    It can’t be a very effective form of torture…

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ron North
    Favourite Ron North
    Report
    Dec 12th 2014, 8:12 PM

    “I teeeellll you nothing infidel piiiiig.”

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ron North
    Favourite Ron North
    Report
    Dec 12th 2014, 8:12 PM

    “Talk moth**f**k*r or I’m going to shove this raisin up yous a*s!!”

    22
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ron North
    Favourite Ron North
    Report
    Dec 12th 2014, 8:12 PM

    “NO NO Not thee raisiin in the ass, I talk I talk”

    21
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mick Madden
    Favourite Mick Madden
    Report
    Dec 12th 2014, 9:30 PM

    Flat lemonade torture

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paddy OConnor
    Favourite Paddy OConnor
    Report
    Dec 12th 2014, 11:46 PM

    Torture worked for Mohammed.

    “Kinana al-Rabi, who had the custody of the treasure of Banu Nadir, was brought to the apostle who asked him about it. He denied that he knew where it was. A Jew came (Tabari says “was brought”), to the apostle and said that he had seen Kinana going round a certain ruin every morning early. When the apostle said to Kinana, “Do you know that if we find you have it I shall kill you?” He said “Yes”. The apostle gave orders that the ruin was to be excavated and some of the treasure was found. When he asked him about the rest he refused to produce it, so the apostle gave orders to al-Zubayr Al-Awwam, “Torture him until you extract what he has.” So he kindled a fire with flint and steel on his chest until he was nearly dead. Then the apostle delivered him to Muhammad b. Maslama and he struck off his head, in revenge for his brother Mahmud.”
    From p515 Ibn Ishaq’s SIRA-Sacred Islamic Text

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dermot Ryan
    Favourite Dermot Ryan
    Report
    Dec 12th 2014, 11:57 PM

    It doesn’t say he got the rest of the treasure – so did it work ?

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paddy OConnor
    Favourite Paddy OConnor
    Report
    Dec 13th 2014, 12:28 AM

    Apologies-I made the wrong presumption from a faulty memory. Rabbi Kinana,according to accounts in the Hadith,passed out and Mohammed,disgusted,ordered a follower,Maslama to behead the Rabbi Kinana.
    I might also add that ISIS,recently, on the threat of being beheaded failed to get 4 Christian kids to convert to Islam,- and carried out the beheadings of the children.

    11
    See 2 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brendan Julian
    Favourite Brendan Julian
    Report
    Dec 13th 2014, 1:20 AM

    Did the kids have treasure ??

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mary Kavanagh
    Favourite Mary Kavanagh
    Report
    Dec 13th 2014, 1:28 AM

    It still doesn’t say whether Kinana said anything before his head was liberated from his body. My guess is he didn’t so torture didn’t work there.

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Justin Forde
    Favourite Justin Forde
    Report
    Oct 15th 2015, 1:22 PM

    Apparently, it’s not a war crime as long as the US is the perpetrator.

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds