{"article":{"id":272280,"heading":"Unidentified US Navy Nurse Honored for Refusing Involvement in Force-Feeding","author":"Stephen Lendman","created":"2015-07-23 19:05:08","modified":"2015-07-23 19:05:08","last_modified":"Fri, 24 Jul 2015 02:05:08","article":"<p>Unidentified US Navy Nurse Honored for Refusing Involvement in Force-Feeding <br><br> by Stephen Lendman <br><br> Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) deputy communications director Vesna Jaksic Lowe announced possible Pentagon efforts to revoke the security clearance for an unnamed navy nurse - in retaliation for his refusal to participate in unethical\/immoral\/illegal force-feeding amounting to brutal torture. <br><br> PHR's medical director, Dr. Vincent Iacopino, called \"(t)he military's latest action against the nurse&hellip;backdoor retaliation for refusing to take part in an unethical and criminal activity.\" <br><br> It's barbaric viciousness America practices with impunity along with countless other torture techniques inflicted on innocent uncharged\/untried victims. <br><br> The American Nurses Association (ANA) honored the nurse wanting to remain anonymous (identified only as a male lieutenant) with its Year of Ethics award - for putting prisoner rights ahead of barbaric practices. He wants to avoid jeopardizing his career to be able to retire in December 2016 with full benefits and privileges. <br><br> He faced possible court martial for refusing to force-feed Syrian national Abu Wa'el Dhiab. He was uncharged, untried, then later released, resettling in Uruguay, earlier considered suing Pentagon officials to stop what medical ethicists denounce. <br><br> The nurse's lawyer, Ronald Meister, accepted the award on his behalf at a July 23 ANA Membership Assembly meeting. Separately, he said his client still remains vulnerable to retaliatory punishment for courageously resisting lawlessness. <br><br> He called what's going on \"mean spirited,\" adding \"(w)e intend to continue a vigorous defense.\" Pentagon and Navy spokespersons refused comment so far. <br><br> Force-feeding constitutes torture. It inflicts severe pain and suffering - repeating the process at least twice daily, any time after purging occurs, victims uncomfortably restrained to prevent resistance in special chairs called \"padded cells on wheels.\" <br><br> Tubes are forced painfully through noses and throats to victims' stomachs - done abrasively drawing blood. <br>  <br> Liquid nutrients are pumped into stomachs. Doing so causes excruciating pain. No sedatives or anesthesia are given. Men are kept strapped under restraints up to two hours. <br><br> It's done to prevent purging. The procedure is repeated twice daily. Tubes are reused. They're covered in blood and stomach bile. <br><br> Reportedly they're passed from one prisoner to another. Proper sanitation is non-existent. One detainee called the procedure \"torture, torture, torture.\" <br><br> \"Those refusing force-feeding are brutally beaten. Injuries occur. Hospitalizations at times follow. The World Medical Association says force-feeding violates fundamental medical ethics. When accompanied by \"threats, coercion, force, and use of physical restraints, (it's) considered inhuman and degrading treatment.\" <br><br> Guantanamo's commander &nbsp;&nbsp;decides who&rsquo;s force-fed. Medical personnel have no say. They're told to follow orders. At mealtime, hunger-striking prisoners get a choice: a hot meal, a nutrient drink, or force-feeding amounting to torture. <br><br> Wrongfully incarcerated prisoners at times hunger strike for justice. It's their only way to protest their lawless, indefinite imprisonment for political, not criminal, reasons. <br><br> It's their only method of possibly communicating their plight outside Guantanamo's confines to others - hoping enduring pain and suffering will increase their chance for eventual freedom. <br><br> Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago. He can be reached at <a href=\"mailto:lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net\" rel=\"nofollow\">lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net<\/a>.  <br><br> His new book as editor and contributor is titled \"Flashpoint in Ukraine: US Drive for Hegemony Risks WW III.\" <br><br> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.claritypress.com\/LendmanIII.html\" rel=\"nofollow\">http:\/\/www.claritypress.com\/LendmanIII.html<\/a> <br><br> Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com.  <br><br> Listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network. <br><br> It airs three times weekly: live on Sundays at 1PM Central time plus two prerecorded archived programs. <\/p>\n","contact":"lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net","link":"sjlendman.blogspot.com","address":"","phone":"","parent_id":0,"mime_type":"text\/plain","summary":"police state","numcomment":0,"fileurl":"\/uploads\/","filesize":null,"article_url":"\/news\/2015\/07\/272280.php"},"attachments":[],"comments":[]}