Americans Approve of Torture by 2-1

Americans aren’t particularly bothered by the torture interrogation tactics revealed in last week’s Senate report on the CIA. A new poll from The Washington Post/ABC News shows 59 percent of the Americans surveyed said they approved of the CIA’s brutal treatment of detainees after the 9/11 attacks. Only 31 percent took issue with the interrogation methods. Furthermore, 58 percent said they believe the torture of detainees is justified “often” or “sometimes.” CIA interrogation tactics included rectal feeding, waterboarding, and forcing detainees to stand on broken legs. The New York Times reported Tuesday that James Mitchell, the man who was one of the prime designers and advocates of these post-9/11 tactics, was vetted by CIA officials in less than 24 hours.