Tuesday, January 24, 2006  Embracing Torture  As reported in the
L.A. Times, Chief Warrant Officer Lewis E. Welshofer Jr., 43,
was convicted in the negligent homicide of an Iraqi general
under questioning in Iraq.  According to the report,  Witnesses
testified that Welshofer stood by while Iraqi nationals,
reportedly in the employ of the CIA, beat the general for about
30 minutes with rubber hoses. The next day, Welshofer took the
general to the roof of the prison and, while other soldiers held
him down, poured water on his face.  The general did not answer
questions, so the following morning Welshofer turned to what was
dubbed "the sleeping bag technique."  [H]e he put Iraqi Maj.
Gen. Abed Hamed Mowhoush face-first in a sleeping bag, wrapped
him in electrical wire and sat on his chest in November 2003.
The 57-year-old general died after 20 minutes in the bag.  For
this, Welshofer was sentenced to a loss of $6,000 salary,
confined to base for 60 days, and a reprimand. The money can be
easily made up by donati