Shep flips out: “We do not f***ing torture!”
posted at 3:25 pm on April 23, 2009 by Allahpundit
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From yesterday’s “Strategy Room,” a candid if predictable reaction to Blair’s admission that enhanced interrogation works: “I don’t give a rat’s ass if it helps!” Most of the mindless absolutism on this subject has come from the left; nice to see Shep upholding the tradition. Pew’s out with a poll today that I’m reluctant to link because the margin of error by party is so huge (eight points in the case of the GOP), but for what it’s worth, 49 percent of the public thinks torturing terrorists is often or sometimes justified, including 54 percent of independents. Toss in those who say it’s justified in rare cases and you’re up to 71 percent. The most interesting data point is the partisan shift in the last few months. As of February, 22 percent of Republicans said it was often justified versus just nine percent of Dems; two months into Hopenchange, the GOP number’s down to 15 and the Democratic number’s up to 12, proving that America’s comfort with the practice depends to some extent on how much they trust the occupant of the White House. In fact, only 44 percent of independents thought torture was at least sometimes justified as of February versus 54 percent now — which suggests, ironically, that their greater confidence in Obama not to abuse the practice has made them more enthusiastic for it.
While we’re on this topic, I should correct an egregious error I made yesterday. In the Hillary post, I said that the torture debate isn’t academic. In reality, it’s entirely academic. Read Gutfeld’s latest and you’ll see why. When push comes to shove, if Obama has reason to believe that detainees in CIA custody have info that might stop an impending attack, rest assured that he’ll give the order to slap it out of them if need be. If he doesn’t and we’re hit, he’s finished politically; whatever queasiness about stress positions that the public feels now will evaporate and they’ll turn on him viciously, and he surely knows it. Even if he’s personally squeamish, he’s not going to blow his shot at a second term for the sake of not breaking Andrew Sullivan’s bleeding heart. Content warning.
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Poor little Shepherd – someone help him OUT !!!
This manly man needs comforting.
jake-the-goose on April 23, 2009 at 3:28 PM
Ah Shep…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzV8wrnLfS4
Another good one.
rollthedice on April 23, 2009 at 3:28 PM
Shep is right.
They are in full CYA mode and will probably vote for amnesty like illegal spying on Americans.
Congress can’t be trusted with anything but to spend your money.
getalife on April 23, 2009 at 3:29 PM
It’s not torture Shep.
TooTall on April 23, 2009 at 3:29 PM
Shep was obviously born yesterday . . . somebody needs to give him his meds and send him on vacation before he explodes. And yes Shep, we are America and if it costs a couple of slime bag terrorists to save America we’ll do it.
rplat on April 23, 2009 at 3:29 PM
When Shep looks at Becks ratings , it is torture..
the_nile on April 23, 2009 at 3:30 PM
Usually, when Shep uses that term, it is followed by “…me Bob!”
PappaMac on April 23, 2009 at 3:30 PM
What is truly sad – I almost, sort of agree with the basic sentiment (torture bad – America good – we don’t torture) idea.
But – it misses the point – there are bad guys (and gals – let’s give the HT to the female crazies too) and some measures have to be taken.
What irks me is these morons like Shep call “torture” almost any interrogation technique that involves more than saying “Please tell us what we need to know or we’ll cry.”
kybowexar on April 23, 2009 at 3:30 PM
Somebody needs a nap.
portlandon on April 23, 2009 at 3:31 PM
and now we’ve heard it from the horse’s mouth – and its behind as well.
kybowexar on April 23, 2009 at 3:31 PM
What the problem there Shep? Your CNN anchor boyfriend stand you up again?
try again later on April 23, 2009 at 3:31 PM
manufactured outrage.
Black Adam on April 23, 2009 at 3:31 PM
Ah, Shep’s passive aggressive, like me. Watch how he sits there and fumes as before blowing up. ANd then how he sit back to calm himself afterward. I have deep respect for him, but he’s wrong here.
thebrokenrattle on April 23, 2009 at 3:32 PM
And they cannot even be trusted with that.
Glad you’ve woken up, supporter of the command economy.
lorien1973 on April 23, 2009 at 3:32 PM
Somebody get that cranky little b*tch, Shep, some Midol. Stat!
If we have an terrorist, excuse me, man-made disaster maker, in custody and there is imminent danger that the U.S. and American lives are at risk, by all means, pull his damn fingernails out until he talks! Why do we always have to play by the rules when everyone else in the world does not! This makes us vulnerable and if this witchhunt by the democrats and obama causes our country to be hit again by terrorists, Yes TERRORISTS, I hope every one of those pansies is frogmarched out of the WH and the capitol to FACE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE!
HornetSting on April 23, 2009 at 3:32 PM
Just put them in a room and make them watch Shep Smith. Now that’s torture. Almost as bad as being an Ole Miss fan.
roux on April 23, 2009 at 3:32 PM
Shep, Shep, Shep…. getting a little worried and stressed Glenn Beck is about to take over your time slot?
He should, actually, Shep should be banned to the afternoon shift or put on Strategy Room permanently.
davek70 on April 23, 2009 at 3:32 PM
Stay Classy.
Clean up.
portlandon on April 23, 2009 at 3:32 PM
The liar’s up from his nap.
fogw on April 23, 2009 at 3:32 PM
This post wear mascara.
TheBigOldDog on April 23, 2009 at 3:33 PM
Good grief.
Dritanian on April 23, 2009 at 3:33 PM
Screw farking Astoturfer. Go back to DU and Kos where you belong. Farking Moron POS.
TheBigOldDog on April 23, 2009 at 3:34 PM
As a big brother… I did far worse to my little brother than we are to these terrorists. I am American. My parents watched somewhat passively.
I guess by Obama’s standards I am more evil than the terrorists who chop off the heads of Americans.
James on April 23, 2009 at 3:35 PM
I hope his snorefest news show at 7 gets replaced with Glenn Beck or Greg Gutfeld.
gsherin on April 23, 2009 at 3:35 PM
cons agree with the taliban on this issue.
Sharia law.
Geez.
getalife on April 23, 2009 at 3:35 PM
And when the day comes when Shep’s closest friend or loved one is kidnapped, and one of the conspirators is in custody, we’ll make sure he isn’t tortured one bit. If so much as an ant comes within 100 miles of the room he’s in, we’ll squash that sucker because WE ARE AMERICA!
MadisonConservative on April 23, 2009 at 3:35 PM
Waterboarding is not physical torture. Giving up that part of the argument to the left is just plain stupid.
BadgerHawk on April 23, 2009 at 3:35 PM
Finally, a place where we agree.
TheUnrepentantGeek on April 23, 2009 at 3:35 PM
Where is your supervisor? Put him/her on the leyboard for a second I have a question about rates. I want to pay you fools to haunt a few websites for me.
TheBigOldDog on April 23, 2009 at 3:36 PM
We also agree with the Taliban that gravity exists. Horrors!
Fallacious logic.
Geez.
TheUnrepentantGeek on April 23, 2009 at 3:37 PM
Shep jumped the shark when he reported on Katrina. What a hack!
JAM on April 23, 2009 at 3:37 PM
I don’t have time to watch. Did his mascara run?
BuckeyeSam on April 23, 2009 at 3:37 PM
Good gracious, I hope his mascara didn’t run…
RepubChica on April 23, 2009 at 3:38 PM
getalife on April 23, 2009 at 3:35 PM
right that’s it exactly numbnuts.
gsherin on April 23, 2009 at 3:38 PM
portlandon on April 23, 2009 at 3:32 PM
Sadly, that was an example of the wall’s class
kybowexar on April 23, 2009 at 3:38 PM
Yeah, both parties are good at spending our money but will cover this up like illegal spying on Americans.
Need a special prosecuter.
getalife on April 23, 2009 at 3:38 PM
That is without a doubt the dumbest comment I’ve seen on these boards in months.
rplat on April 23, 2009 at 3:38 PM
LOL! You beat me by this much….
RepubChica on April 23, 2009 at 3:38 PM
You’re a slimy little pile of congealed camel droppings, you know that? Sharia law sentences women to be killed for being raped. It executes homosexuals and all that practice faiths other than Muslims. Your comparison is vile and disgusting. Let’s see you refuse to have someone tortured when someone you care about is at stake. Take your fake sanctimony and shove it up where your brain is located.
MadisonConservative on April 23, 2009 at 3:38 PM
Thank you! Well played!
kybowexar on April 23, 2009 at 3:38 PM
Fire his ass. I can’t stand him anyway.
Sue on April 23, 2009 at 3:39 PM
my head is stuck somewhere
it’s smelly
help me
getalife on April 23, 2009 at 339 PM
fogw on April 23, 2009 at 3:40 PM
Torture is evil and unAmerican.
Shep is right and you know it.
getalife on April 23, 2009 at 3:40 PM
The Owl missed the memo detailing our use of bamboo under fingernails, jumper cables to the berries and forced viewing of The View.
thespottedowl on April 23, 2009 at 3:40 PM
You are jumping to conclusions. The poll does not measure the reasons for the opinions.
You could just as easily say that more people support it because they believe terrorism will be more of a threat under this administration.
obladioblada on April 23, 2009 at 3:40 PM
Watching Shep’s staged outrage if far worse then any waterboarding. Now if I had to watch that clip 187 times…that my friend would be torture.
trs on April 23, 2009 at 3:40 PM
Shep is giving voice to all those who believe that ‘violence is not the answer’.
I have one question for that group; what does it take, at what point, what will push you into a violent reaction? When do you start throwing punches? Don’t tell me never. You would die before defending your own life or the lives of your family?
Skandia Recluse on April 23, 2009 at 3:40 PM
“This is America and we do not f***ing torture!”
Ummmm, yeah. You might ask the “Greatest Generation” what was done to captured U-Boot crewmembers who had timely intel on positions and intent of other U-Boots in the North Atlantic. Every second wasted in getting their info meant another drowned and incinerated Merchant Marine crew, or decimated American division trying to make the crossing. Since we’re all practising moral relativism these days, I guess that our torture of Axis prisoners for info in WWII made us morally equivalent to the Fascists, right?
Yeah, get a life.
quikstrike98 on April 23, 2009 at 3:41 PM
Poor GOP. Reduced to a bunch of sniveling apologists for torturers. What a fall from grace. Thanks Bush-Cheney!
Grow Fins on April 23, 2009 at 3:41 PM
I can honestly say I haven’t watched him in any way, shape or form since. I will not watch Fox when he is on and I refuse to watch and YouTube clips of him no matter what the subject. F’ck Shep and the Mascara he rose in on.
TheBigOldDog on April 23, 2009 at 3:41 PM
I think the judge should give Shep a weggie and then Shep should give the judge a nuggie.
Vince on April 23, 2009 at 3:41 PM
Well, compared to our “friends” in the UAE, he’s right.
As a matter of fact, compared with pretty much every other country on earth, he’s right. We do not torture.
/yes, I know that’s not what he’s saying. He’s having another meltdown like he did in New Orleans after Katrina
funky chicken on April 23, 2009 at 3:41 PM
One thing for sure is that torture always works for Jack Bauer!
But in the real world, not so much.
starfleet_dude on April 23, 2009 at 3:41 PM
Yeah, how’d Shep feel when his colleague, Steve Centanni was captured? Did he want us to do everything to get him back? Or did he not give a rip? I don’t remember any of his reporting on that.
JAM on April 23, 2009 at 3:41 PM
Let’s be clear.
If you feel this isn’t torture, then you are free to have someone waterboard you and see for yourself. Christopher Hitchens tried it and agrees. Why not you?
For those who feel it is torture, I have a simple question. If we engage in these activities, what makes us truly different from our enemies? If we allow this what can really stop us from let’s say torturing one person in front of another to elicit responses? (Like a kid in front of his father?)
How about chopping people’s arms off or using the “English Thumb-screw”?
These actions set precedents. As many of our US Generals have said, the thing that separates up from our enemies is the values we uphold. We must occupy the moral high ground. Period.
That is the ONLY way we win this battle. Anything less and we become just like the enemy.
ckoeber on April 23, 2009 at 3:42 PM
I always try to avoid Schlep.
What a whack.
Captain America on April 23, 2009 at 3:42 PM
Grow a Brain?
Grow Balls?
TheBigOldDog on April 23, 2009 at 3:42 PM
getalife on April 23, 2009 at 3:40 PM
actually leftist douche bags like you are unAmerican more. get off you high horse they only used it on 3 high level people unless there’s proof of otherwise. they don’t fight for a country so they don’t fall under the Geneva Convention.
gsherin on April 23, 2009 at 3:42 PM
Torture is VERY American. Anyone who says otherwise is utterly ignorant of American history. Kinda like…..you.
quikstrike98 on April 23, 2009 at 3:43 PM
Like I said. Sniveling.
Grow Fins on April 23, 2009 at 3:43 PM
Shep simply does not understand the nature of our enemy’s.
Dragoonchris on April 23, 2009 at 3:43 PM
Shep needs to go back and stand on an overpass bridge in New Orleans and cry. Baby
Bicyea on April 23, 2009 at 3:43 PM
Will no one relieve us of this tedious anchorperson?
rivlax on April 23, 2009 at 3:43 PM
Grow Fins, is anybody here apologizing for the kind of crap that UAE “prince” committed?
Have you seen any US military members apologize for or cheer for the inbred scum who got their jollies from abusing prisoners at Abu Ghraib?
I didn’t think so.
funky chicken on April 23, 2009 at 3:44 PM
They have lost their way.
Pity them.
getalife on April 23, 2009 at 3:44 PM
What exactly was that we did that was “torture”?
And for the troll getalife. Seems the “torture” saved LA. What would you have done to get the information since “torture” is off the table?
Elric66 on April 23, 2009 at 3:44 PM
We’re still waiting for those “alternatives” you suggested.
…
Conservative_SAHM on April 23, 2009 at 3:44 PM
Grow Fins on April 23, 2009 at 3:41 PM
go back to masturbating over your Obama shirtless pictures and leave debate to serious people.
gsherin on April 23, 2009 at 3:44 PM
I’m pretty sure some things Shep does for pleasure I would consider torture.
TheBigOldDog on April 23, 2009 at 3:45 PM
Wow, that’s a new one in the ever-evolving litany of justifications for torture. Hell yes we torture. Why, even Norman Rockwell did it!
Grow Fins on April 23, 2009 at 3:45 PM
ckoeber on April 23, 2009 at 3:42 PM
Are thumb screws and using other people (like a son) standard procedures – actually used by interrogators in the last few years?
In America?
I honestly doubt it – and I’d man the barricades to get that crapped stopped – post haste. Because it is both useless and evil.
Waterboarding… sorry, I just don’t see the actual comparison there?
kybowexar on April 23, 2009 at 3:45 PM
Depends on how one defines “torture”. If we are talking harmless psychological stress situations, unlawful combatants have it coming to them.
If you are talking real torture: hot irons, hooks, racks, and mutilations (as seen on your local Muslim broadcasting station), never.
Count to 10 on April 23, 2009 at 3:45 PM
Torture is what you make of it.
Most people would conclude that they are being tortured if their cleephone was taken away.
upinak on April 23, 2009 at 3:45 PM
Wow, what a repudiation. You win the “debate” hands down with that one.
Grow Fins on April 23, 2009 at 3:46 PM
Well said – you and I rarely agree, but that is exactly the thing. I have a feeling that Shep defines it as any thing past – “Tell us now!” in a loud voice.
kybowexar on April 23, 2009 at 3:46 PM
Shep Smith must fill a quotient as the token Liberal since Colmes is not on every night. He’s gone a far way for an Ole Miss Frat Boy…or was that a Sorority?
kingsjester on April 23, 2009 at 3:46 PM
If torturing 20 men saves one life, it is worth it.
If you would hold back that torture, you are letting that person die.
If you would hold back torture on one person at the cost of more lives, you have no soul.
MadisonConservative on April 23, 2009 at 3:47 PM
We are America! We do not let 3000 innocent Americans get slaughtered if we can do something about it!
poljunkie on April 23, 2009 at 3:47 PM
You know what else is very unAmerican, beheadings, live castrations, stoning, flying airplanes into buildings. What is VERY American is protecting our family’s and our country.
Dragoonchris on April 23, 2009 at 3:47 PM
ckoeber
Waterboarding is not torture. They are not injured in any way. It was a hazing ritual at VMI for years, for chrissakes. Can’t get worked up like all the libtards about it. Sorry, just can’t. It is manufactured outrage just to smear Bush/Cheney. That is all. All the big Dems knew about it, and approved it. The stakes are high. It is a tool. Nothing more. Nothing less.
JAM on April 23, 2009 at 3:48 PM
I am a frequent FOX News viewer… Except when Shepard Smith is on. I haven’t watched him since his pitiful display during Hurricane Katrina. What an embarrassment he is.
Dasher on April 23, 2009 at 3:48 PM
Grow Fins on April 23, 2009 at 3:46 PM
right, cuz you’re here to do anything other than to be a jackoff.
gsherin on April 23, 2009 at 3:48 PM
Why can’t I post a link to a CNN article? I’ve tried several times and it’s not showing up.
Conservative_SAHM on April 23, 2009 at 3:48 PM
I agree, and the more I see of it from the left the less sympathetic I am…and the more likely I am to support waterboarding to save innocent lives.
I believe that when you enlist in the military, one of the things you learn in your training is the possiblity of torture–the real thing, the bad stuff–and it’s always something that a serviceman/woman is aware of. Terrorists aren’t immune from that possibility, and if it saves innocent lives then why not inconvenience a terrorist with a little waterboarding.
This is AMERICA.
Bob's Kid on April 23, 2009 at 3:48 PM
Count to 10, torture is simply the deliberate inflicting of intense physical suffering. Waterboarding is clearly torture, and the matter of whether or not it leaves permanent damage isn’t the point.
starfleet_dude on April 23, 2009 at 3:49 PM
Glutton for punishment? You already got your ass kicked once in the ‘is waterboarding torture’ debate.
BadgerHawk on April 23, 2009 at 3:49 PM
It is also very Unamerican to value the “rights” of our sworn enemies more than the lives of our citizens.
kingsjester on April 23, 2009 at 3:49 PM
Bush = Idiot for not connecting the dots
Obama = Genious for REFUSING to connect the dots
Makes sense…
RJS2 on April 23, 2009 at 3:49 PM
Torture is trying to have an intelligent discussion with a bunch of trolls running around crapping all over the floor. I’m starting to believe that Allah is really Shep’s baby brother.
HornetSting on April 23, 2009 at 3:49 PM
I rarely ever pull this one, don’t care for it much;
Shep, STFU!
America doesn’t torture. If it’s done to thousands of military members per year, if the people involved are going through hoops to not cross lines, it ain’t torture!
bikermailman on April 23, 2009 at 3:49 PM
And you were utterly destroyed in the same argument, but here you are pushing your opinion as fact without much else to back it up.
BadgerHawk on April 23, 2009 at 3:49 PM
cons have a year to justify evil and unAmerican acts.
Holder will make a decision then.
getalife on April 23, 2009 at 3:50 PM
Perhaps not. The military has more sense. Posters at right wing blogs, less so. Visit Free Republic. Search “Abu Ghraib.” Panties on the head! Ha ha! What fun!!
Grow Fins on April 23, 2009 at 3:50 PM
Rather than just pile on Shep, I would just be interested to know what he *does* define as being appropriate to get critical information in a crisis situation, or in an all out war in general.
His answers would no doubt be telling.
itzWicks on April 23, 2009 at 3:50 PM
It is interesting that a South Korean is telling us what is unAmerican.
And just for the record, if it IS torture, I am ok with that. Pity the evil me.
John D on April 23, 2009 at 3:50 PM
He’s right.
popularpeoplesfront on April 23, 2009 at 3:50 PM
America has done things which pantywaists like you consider odious and nasty. We’ve incinerated cities. We’ve massacred populations. We’ve subjugated other cultures. And yes, when victory called for it, we’ve tortured prisoners.
This has caused us to win wars. It made us the wealthiest, most powerful nation on the planet on the 20th century. It may make you wet your pants, suck your thumb, and cry for your mommy, but it’s how the world works. You and your kind want to live in some rainbow colored unicorn La-La Land where our country has no enemies and we can all just give the world a f***ing Coke and everyone will be happy. You and yours will mean the end of the American superpower, the death of our prosperity, and ultimately the utter loss of our ability to secure ourselves from threats both internal and external.
quikstrike98 on April 23, 2009 at 3:50 PM
Actually, I’m thinking that tar and feathers while being ridden out on a rail would be considered torture.
I would think so anyway.
It was also a standard punishment in Colonial America. I’m not defending, and I’m glad we don’t do it – but it was done.
If information is needed quickly to save lives – I’m thinking that the person’s choices get outweighed by the needs of the many. Even that, I’d couch with some standards in regard to the interrogator’s humanity and sanity; however, that would be about it.
kybowexar on April 23, 2009 at 3:51 PM
dang Begala is such a lying scumbag
jp on April 23, 2009 at 3:51 PM
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