Psyche, Science, and Society

Two Soldz radio interviews on torture and psychologists

June 28th, 2007

Talk Nation Radio’s special on torture today includes an interview with me, constituting the firs half of the show. Listen, or read a transcript: Ending Torture and Restoring Detainee Rights with Prof. Stephen Soldz and Laurie Hasbrook. This is Part I of a two-part special. Part II is next week, I believe. Here is the description of the show:

 n this part one of a two part special we look at the progress being made by activists working to stop torture. Members of a growing group within the APA, American Psychological Association, discuss their ongoing efforts to get their organization to fully renounce torture and bring about an end to the involvement of psychologists in US Military interrogations.

As they gear up for the APA’s annual meeting August 10-13 in New Orleans where a crucial debate on this issue will take place, Professor Soldz outlines some of the new information that is coming out about the role of psychologists in USM and CIA interrogations. He his research into the history of US torture. What are the implications? Have detainees in the so-called ‘war on terror’ been subjected to forcible injections of drugs? Are research studies going on and are reports being written about how various drugs work?

In part two we look at the likely social impact of America’s use of torture at home and abroad and how Americans can unite to stop torture.

Laurie Hasbrook, co-coordinator of Voices for Creative Nonviolence talks about ongoing actions designed to stop torture, shut down Guantanamo, restore Habeas Corpus for all US detainees and reverse the Military Commissions Act.

–She offers an opinion on Mitt Romney’s statement that Guantanamo should be doubled and ‘enhanced interrogation techniques should be used’ and then describes what activists are doing in Chicago to call attention to the issues.

–She explains an action led by Christian Peacemaker Teams where a group in prison garb and hoods led by ‘handlers’ were able to approach a judge. The judge agreed with the protestors but refused to issue a writ of Habeas Corpus for prisoners at Guantanamo.

–In part two Laurie discusses the impact of changes to laws governing interrogations and looks at the affect of rhetoric on torture on Americans and people in other countries.

What will it take to end torture and reverse Bush administration laws that provide immunity from prosecution for those who engage in it? Laurie speaks as a mother and activist about her reasons for taking on this painful issue.

Our music is by composer and musician Fritz Heede and was also used in the film, The Oil Factor.

I also was interviewed on NPR’s To the Point on May 30, 2007; I never got around to editing and posting it before posted before.  This interview took off from claims that torture doesn’t work and discussed the broader social context of US torture. The interview can be listened to available here.

Entry Filed under: APA, Guantanamo, International Law, Interrogation, Psychology, Social Change, Torture, War Crimes