Paging Andrew Sullivan

And here you have it, a presumably staunch Republican for whom torture is an end in itself rather than an instrumental good. Volokh commenter Kazinski, on a post on Bush's spendthrift ways:

For all Bush has done right, tax cuts, Afghanistan, Iraq, Roberts and Alito, torturing Khalid Sheikh Mohammad, etc., his lack of discipline on domestic spending, especially the Medicare boondoggle are going to be a black mark on his presidency.

Well, at least he tortured that guy. Nobody can take that away from him.

Comments

[Katherine]

I can top that. Watch:

The one Canuk was siezed when he had yet to enter the US (he was in the Customs area of JFK). I cannot believe that there are so many drooling mental defectives out there who believe that non-present, non-resident, non-citizens, of the US have any rights at all vis-a-vis US law. As a libertarian I oppose such extraterritoriality. US law should stop at the border.

I do think, of course, that rendition should not be done with taxpayer funding but rather with corporate funding or charitable contributions.

[belle waring]

I do think, of course, that rendition should not be done with taxpayer funding but rather with corporate funding or charitable contributions.

AAAAAHHHH!!!! WTF!!1??/?!!!!

stop scaring me like that, katherine.

[Gary Farber]

"I do think, of course, that rendition should not be done with taxpayer funding but rather with corporate funding or charitable contributions."

Obviously, corporations that fund renditions should get a tax cut/break.

Obviously.

The -- yes, obvious -- step after that is corporate sponsorship of specific methods of tor--, of enhanced interrogation methods.

This waterboarding brought to you by Perrier!

No, they're French, that'll never do.

[bill benzon]

GE's old jingle will do nicely here: We bring good things to light.

[ajay]

The -- yes, obvious -- step after that is corporate sponsorship of specific methods of tor--, of enhanced interrogation methods.

Gary, this has been happening for years. What do you think the Disneyworld "It's A Small World" ride is about?

[Katherine]

It was actually the charitable contributions thing that got to me. "For the price of a cup of coffee, we could buy an extra 10 volts a day...."

[dogfacegeorge]

Gee, Katherine, you cut the best part of the comment:

"All those 'renditioned' have been renditioned from one nig-nog* country to another nig-nog country.

*I use the OED definition not Websters."

[dogfacegeorge]

He helpfully links to the Websters and OED defs of "nig-nog":

In Websters, "nig-nog" is British slang for a black person.
In OED, it is an "alternative original mildly derogatory meaning in the UK: 'a novice; a foolish or naive person'"

So see - he's careful to point out that he is not using the term "nig-nog" in any racial sense.

[dogfacegeorge]

If George Allen had only explained which dictionary he got his definition of "macaca" from.

[ben wolfson]

Which are the foolish or naive countries?

[Gary Farber]

"Gary, this has been happening for years. What do you think the Disneyworld 'It's A Small World' ride is about?"

You've got me there. I believe it also may explain Regis Philbin.

[Gary Farber]

It occurs to me that there's no reason "water"-boarding wouldn't be equally or more effective with, say, Coke, or Pepsi, or some other quintessentially American tasty beverage.

The sponsorship possibilities are far wider than just bottled water brands.

And released Guantanamo and other detainees can get endorsement deals!

"When I was water-boarded, it was with Mountain Dew, and not only was I filled with energy, I was almost glad to be water-boarded!

"Ha, just kidding! But if you have to be water-boarded, ask to be water-boarded with Mountain Dew! You'll be glad you did!"

Further along in the campaign, they can offer an update on the famous Taste Tests. Detainees will offered a chance to be water-boarded with Coke and Pepsi, and then asked which they prefer.

I think everyone will agree that this is win-win.

[Helen]

In Australia, the word for a foolish or naive person is ning-nong. Spot the difference. I think the commenter on Volokh is just trying to be cute.

[ajay]

You've got me there. I believe it also may explain Regis Philbin.

For sure. I went on the It's a Small World ride aged 11. After five minutes I broke down and confessed to releasing man-eating honey badgers into Basra and the surrounding area.

[dave heasman]

In Websters, "nig-nog" is British slang for a black person.
In OED, it is an "alternative original mildly derogatory meaning in the UK: 'a novice; a foolish or naive person'"

During WWII it was an RAF term, I understand. A pregnant fairy. As in "don't stand around like a..."