Patterico's Pontifications

10/2/2006

Patterico’s Exclusive Interview with a Man Who Has Spoken to the Terrorists at Guantánamo (Part One: Introduction)

Filed under: General — Patterico @ 12:23 am



I know Zarqawi, the terrorist said to the American. I am going to have Zarqawi cut off your family’s head while you watch. Then he will cut off your head.

The terrorist said it all in a matter-of-fact way, looking the American straight in the eye.

The American was not frightened. There was little danger that the terrorist was going to carry out his threat . . . at least any time soon.

The terrorist was a detainee at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, and the American was an Army nurse who worked with Guantánamo detainees with psychological and/or behavioral problems. For six months, he spoke with detainees on a daily basis, and built a rapport of sorts with some of the most troublesome terrorists at Guantánamo.

He spoke with me recently, and I will be telling his story in several posts over the coming days.

The terrorists at Guantánamo knew the American by the name “Stashiu.” Readers of this blog know him as “Stashiu3.” Stashiu has been reading and commenting on this blog since July 2006, but only recently mentioned that he had been stationed in Guantánamo. When I read that, back on September 17, I immediately e-mailed Stashiu to ask him if he would be willing to speak with me on the record about Guantánamo, and let me publish the results of our conversation. He agreed, and this series of posts is the result.

Although I know Stashiu’s real name, I am not going to publish it. Stashiu has received death threats from around a dozen Al Qaeda members. Some of the threats have been made in anger, some have been attempts to intimidate — and some have been simple statements of intent . . . like the detainee who threatened to have Zarqawi cut off the heads of Stashiu and his family.

This detainee had talked with Stashiu for hours about his life, mentioning Zarqawi twice during these conversations. He liked Stashiu. But as Michael Corleone said to his brother: “It’s not personal, Sonny. It’s strictly business.”

Because killing Americans is what terrorists do.

While Stashiu doesn’t expect to see any of these detainees again when he retires from the service, he knows that, if he ever does, he has been targeted. He does not believe that terrorists have any particular interest in tracking him down. But just in case they do — and because his family has been threatened — he has decided to remain anonymous here. Accordingly, just as when he served at Guantánamo, he will be known here simply as “Stashiu.”

Verifying Stashiu’s Identity

After I e-mailed Stashiu, I received a return e-mail that bore his real name. Before I spoke with him on the telephone, I researched his background to make sure he was not a hoaxster. He is not. His IP address (both on his comments and e-mails) comes back to the United States Army Medical Information Technology Center. I have reached Stashiu by telephoning a number that can be accessed through the Army’s official web site.

At my request, Stashiu scanned in and e-mailed me his certificate for the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, signed by Harry B. Harris, Jr., Rear Admiral of the U.S. Navy, and Commander of Joint Task Force Guantánamo. He also e-mailed me the citation accompanying that medal.

Most importantly, I have spoken with him on the telephone for hours over the past two weeks, and he and I have exchanged dozens of e-mails. Stashiu has been very generous with his time, and always unhesitatingly answered my questions with detailed answers that show an insider’s knowledge of Guantánamo. While forthright and apparently quite honest with me, Stashiu has always maintained an appropriate reserve and a level of generality that protects both patient confidentiality and operational security.

In my research about Stashiu, I discovered an article, which I won’t link, that showed: 1) he is indeed a Major in the Army; and 2) he once saved a man’s life by donating bone marrow. I asked him about that and we spoke about it. He even sent me a link to a brief comment he had left on Blackfive about the experience. The comment was left under his usual pseudonym of “Stashiu3.”

Stashiu is the real thing, and he is a hell of a decent guy.

Why Speak with Patterico?

So why did Stashiu agree to speak with me? After all, hadn’t journalists visited Guantánamo? He told me that, of course, they had. So I asked him: why not give his story to Big Media? He said:

I don’t trust them to factually report anything I say. I’ve read you and trust you.

The suspicion of Big Media is, unfortunately, all too common nowadays.

Stashiu explained that he is not writing a book or looking to hit the talk show circuit, and he reiterated in forceful terms his disdain for Big Media. He added:

The only reason you were able to find the article about my Bone Marrow donation was because I thought it was the right thing to do for the program. It was my duty to talk with media that time (but I didn’t enjoy it). I take my oaths and my duties seriously and don’t shy from them. Sorry for being long-winded, but I wanted to thoroughly explain this.

Upcoming Posts

Over the next few days, you will hear more from Stashiu about Guantánamo. You’ll learn what the detainees are like. You’ll hear details about how they are treated. You’ll learn from a professional whether they are truly mentally ill.

Oh — I almost forgot the best part. Blogs are an interactive medium, and Stashiu reads this blog. So if you think the interviewer is doing a terrible job, you can jump in yourself. If you have any questions of your own, just ask them. Stashiu has told me that he’ll do his best to respond.

Keep in mind that there are more posts coming, though. So don’t be surprised if Stashiu’s answer is: keep reading these posts.

Here is my planned schedule for follow-up posts:

Part Two: Stashiu arrives at GTMO, and tells us what the terrorists are like.

Part Three: Hunger strikes, suicides and suicide attempts, and mental illness.

Part Four: Treatment of the detainees.

Part Five: Stashiu reacts to Big Media pieces about GTMO.

UPDATE: A reader expresses concern that I have revealed too much regarding Stashiu’s identity. This is an issue that he and I discussed extensively. I warned him that including certain details would probably reveal his identity to anyone with a basic knowledge of Google. Stashiu allowed me to retain those details, reasoning that anyone determined enough to find him probably could anyway. I am allowing him to review the posts before publication for the sake of accuracy, so he knows exactly what I am saying about him.

UPDATE x2: Stashiu tells me he has been contacted by a member of the media. He has not responded and does not intend to respond. He has asked me to update the post and request the media not to contact him further, as he does not intend to speak to the media.

UPDATE x3: Part Two is here.

97 Responses to “Patterico’s Exclusive Interview with a Man Who Has Spoken to the Terrorists at Guantánamo (Part One: Introduction)”

  1. This is going to be good.

    Oh, and FIRST!

    See Dubya (35af18)

  2. […] Patterico is interviewing an Army psych nurse who interviewed terrorists at Gitmo — his first revelation is that he trusts Patterico — but so distrusts the American media that he won’t talk with them. There is a real crisis of communication in America today — one created by the incessant dishonesty of the “mainstream” press corp. […]

    PrestoPundit » Blog Archive » Gitmo Terrorist Interviewer (d881ce)

  3. Blogging Bombshell…

    My buddy Patterico is making blogging history this week. He’s snagged an interview with a fellow named “Stashiu”, who worked at the Guantanamo detention camp, talking to the terrorist prisoners every day. This would be an amazing “get” for the……

    JunkYardBlog (621918)

  4. Conversations with the Devil…

    Patterico has begun a fascinating series of posts giving us a bone-chilling look at the enemy, thanks to a man who studied them in a certain facility off the Florida coast. Take a gander. “I know Zarqawi,” the terrorist said……

    Out on a limb at Mike Lief.com (150b64)

  5. Guantanamo Bay Live…

    Patterico is interviewing an Army Major that was stationed at Gitmo, a real live American hero. As he says:Oh — I almost forgot the best part. Blogs are an interactive medium,
    and Stashiu reads this blog. So if you think the interviewer is doing……

    Dawnsblood (95d97e)

  6. Thanks to Stashiu3 for his work. I look forward to reading his unbiased account of interaction with these killers.

    krusher (936813)

  7. If he knows Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, does he know that Mr al-Zarqawi is now in Hell?

    Dana (3e4784)

  8. He Was There…

    He goes by the codename, Stashiu, to protect his identity. He served as an Army nurse at Gitmo and spent several months interacting with a number of terrorists. He’s been interviewed by Patterico and you don’t want to miss his story.
    I know…

    Sgt Hook - This We'll Defend (ab26d8)

  9. […] His introduction segment is here. Subsequent parts will be posted this week. […]

    Bizzyblog » Don’t Miss Patterico’s 5-Part Interview with a Former Gitmo Nurse (34f45e)

  10. If he knows Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, does he know that Mr al-Zarqawi is now in Hell?

    Dana,

    I don’t know if he’s aware of it, as Zarqawi was killed after I left Cuba. I would bet that he does and Patterico’s writing in an upcoming section will explain why I would think that.

    Stashiu3 (404f9e)

  11. Stashiu3, I can’t wait for the rest. Thanks for sharing, and thank you for your service.

    Pablo (cb50c5)

  12. Thank you, Stashiu3, for agreeing to share your insights with us; I’m looking forward to learning from you.
    Rick

    Rick (c7fbdd)

  13. Woo, you hit the big time here, Patte-boy.. you could be the next Michelle Malkin (minus the boobies)!

    I am excited to read these.

    Andrew (c37ea2)

  14. Stashui3 – thank you for your service. bless you

    quasimodo (edc74e)

  15. Awesome. May the deconstruction of the MSM continue until they are reduced to telling the truth (we have a long way to go)!

    ZF (6f173f)

  16. Stashiu,

    Was Gitmo your first real assignment? If not, how long have you been in?

    sammy small (c6f648)

  17. I registered gitmo.us some time ago to prevent it from being snapped up by US-bashers (as it surely would have been). It hasn’t had any real content on it, but I think this series of interviews may be just the thing to redirect traffic to. If that’s all right with everyone concerned.

    jvon (b209c7)

  18. Was Gitmo your first real assignment? If not, how long have you been in?

    I’d suggest that readers hold off on questions like that for a few days, because basic ones like that will be answered. I have a brief description of Stashiu’s background in the next post.

    Patterico (de0616)

  19. Guantanamo…

    Patterico has an interview with a Nurse who was stationed at Guantanamo. You can read up on her interactions with enemy combatants here. Worth reading if you aren’t sure about what kind of animals with which we’re dealing….

    Riehl World View (72c8fd)

  20. […] Patterico (Via Powerline): Patterico’s Exclusive Interview with a Man Who Has Spoken to the Terrorists at Guantánamo (Part One: Introduction) […]

    FullosseousFlap’s Dental Blog » Guantanamo Bay Watch: The Inside Story (baa0b4)

  21. Patterico,
    You have revealed too much about Staishu. I found him with a couple of quick Google searches.
    Please contact me and I will tell you how I did it and what needs to change.
    Please protect this man.

    [Mike, I am pretty sure I know the detail you mean. I warned Stashiu that including that detail would probably make him findable on Google. He said to keep it, as he believes anyone determined enough can find him anyway. Nevertheless, I have e-mailed him to ask if he has any second thoughts, and told him again that I’ll redact the detail if he wishes. — P]

    Mike (8e0ab2)

  22. Whats he doing interviewing terrorist is he trying to be another PETER ARNET or BAGHDAD PETE?

    krazy kagu (d61c23)

  23. Bill’s Bites — 2006.10.02…

    The webmaster’s blog-within-a-blog. Continuously updated, newest items at the top. Please click here to learn more about The Phoenix Project, then click here to see a selection of Old War Dogs merchandise. All sales proceeds go to support The Phoenix…

    Old War Dogs (72c8fd)

  24. Stashiu3 –
    Thank you for your service to the country.

    Gentle Ben (c76068)

  25. Patterico Interviews Gitmo Nurse who talked to the Terrorists…

    Patterico’s Pontifications has a very interesting interview with an Army Nurse who dealt with the terrorists at the Guantanamo Bay detention facility:I know Zarqawi, the terrorist said to the American. I am going to have Zarqawi cut off your family’…

    BLACKFIVE (72c8fd)

  26. Mike,

    Thanks for your concern and I assured Patterico that I understood that anyone with a modicum of tech-savvy would be able to find out who I was. Patterico was kind enough to let me review his post before putting it online and made several changes that I requested. My requests weren’t from any naive idea that it wouldn’t be possible to track me down, just to make it difficult enough for it to not be worth it to anybody who was interested in harming me.

    I don’t think I would be of high-priority to jihadists as long as my comments are general enough not to single out anyone. I was also very careful not to share anything inappropriate with Patterico and don’t believe anything we discussed is not already somewhere in the MSM. We certainly did not discuss any classified or confidential information.

    Patterico seemed to believe that keeping the reference you used was valuable to the context of the story and I told him it was ok to use. I knew that would be a weak point and accepted that. Thanks again for your concern. Should Patterico decide to redact that section, he has my support. If he chooses to keep it, that decision has my support as well. I don’t really believe redacting it would really be helpful against someone with strong ‘web-fu’… there are always cache pages and screenshots. Once the info is out there, I have to assume it’s available to anyone determined and clever enough to find it.

    Kagu: You always crack me up. 😉

    Stashiu3 (404f9e)

  27. Patterico, I am looking forward to reading what comes (though that might not describe how I feel about some of the content that is sure to be in there.)

    Stashiu3, thank you.

    Dan S (8e10ae)

  28. I’m looking forward to this series, Patterico. This is what you should be doing, not whining about Ann Coulter articles. *laughs*

    Robert (91f2c5)

  29. The reason I look forward to this series is that I know you don’t engage in “gotcha” journalism. I think that in cases where something complex needs to be asked that the question needs to be posed in advance so the interviewee can think clearly about it instead of just reacting. Regarding MSM; everyone I talk with mistrusts what they report; as you say, this ain’t good for the country.

    Howard Veit (28df94)

  30. Patterico Scores Exclusive Interview With Former Army Nurse At Gitmo…

    The interview will be presented in a series of posts over the next couple of days, so stay tuned. In meantime, Patterico has background on the interview here…….

    The Political Pit Bull (64479c)

  31. Stashiu3,
    From one RN to another, thanks. Don’t know what it could be, but if you ever need anything, let me know.

    paul from fl (001f65)

  32. Patterico, your record is one of welcoming reasoned dissent in the comments. Alas, it’s likely that this high-profile series will be irresistable troll bait for some. For the benefit of new readers, please restate your comment policy. Those inclined to civil behavior can then compose their remarks accordingly. Those who won’t subscribe to these norms will have been warned.

    Stashiu, thanks for soliciting these interviews, I think you’ve chosen well.

    AMac (b6037f)

  33. […] Wow! SK directed me towards this blog and this post in particular. […]

    Chromed Curses (620ea3)

  34. […] Patterico has a related story today that is a must read. This is the first of five posts where he interviews a nurse who served at Gitmo and had extensive interaction with the detainees there.  […]

    The Real Ugly American.com » Blog Archive » JAG officer offers his analysis of detainee legislation (4e8dcb)

  35. Thanks Stashiu3 for your service to our country.

    PC14 (98b75e)

  36. […] I was delighted to see that Patterico is interviewing an “Army nurse who worked with Guantánamo detainees with psychological and/or behavioral problems. For six months, he spoke with detainees on a daily basis, and built a rapport of sorts with some of the most troublesome terrorists at Guantánamo.” I’m really looking forward to this series of posts. I believed from the beginning that the “scandals” at GITMO were overhyped, typical liberal BS. I believed so strongly that our troops were doing a difficult job in a professional manner, and that Dick Durbin’s comparison of our troops to the worst regimes in history was disgraceful, that I was part of the group who created The Gitmo Cookbook as a USO fundraiser. […]

    Pursuing Holiness » Blog Archive » What’s Going On At GITMO? (bc33d8)

  37. Stashiu: Thank you for your service, you are a true Modern Hero. My wife and I, along with our 12, 9, and 4 year olds will be praying for you and all of our heroic servicemembers. Lord Bless.

    JWNaperville (7d1b12)

  38. Thank you Stashiu3 for your service, and thank you for telling your story.

    X_LA_Native (1bf144)

  39. WOW…

    sky4me (57fe80)

  40. Stashiu,
    I am not the first, and I know I will not be the last, but it cannot be said enough–thank you for your service to our country. God bless you.

    thinker (5c12c3)

  41. Wrt Stashiu’s identity, I think the biggest concern is not that inclusion of the details will make it possible for anyone with access to Google to find out his name, address, etc, it’s that said inclusion will allow the MSM to find his name, address, etc, which they will proceed to blare from front-page, above-the-fold, to AQ and their henchmen.

    I mean, sure, the terrorists could find him eventually if they dug enough. The point is, they won’t have to dig at ALL. The MSM will come knocking to Stashiu’s door inside a month, showing pictures of him and talking all about how he’s the source for the propaganda about Gitmo.

    Is that what you guys are hoping for? To nail the MSM down to admitting that they haven’t told the whole story, or even most of it, about Guantanamo?

    Dadx6 (69b009)

  42. Stashiu, Thanks not only to your service to our country but your service in sharing your experiences as well, I can’t wait to read the rest….

    Old Tanker (07e196)

  43. Stashiu,
    Thank You for your service. Looking forward to the rest of the interviews.

    DiOsama (2dd9ca)

  44. This sentiment is neither “humane” nor even civilized: but, why are these jihadists kept around at all? I know we need to get intel from them etc., but after they’ve been squeezed dry, why keep ’em around?

    It makes me nauseous to see them, in their white pyjamas, white cap on head, with their prayer beads and the accursed “book” in their hands, sitting there, or being led to wherever by military guards who should be out hunting down the rest of these buggers that are still loose.

    Gitmo is a cause celebre and an embarassment to us (we’ve let it get that way, what with Geneva Conventions, Red Cross, etc.); once the captured jihadists have served their purpose, why not have them vanish?

    They will never come back to hack off anybody’s head or threaten anybody’s family. Why don’t we wake up and smell the blood?

    THEY are playing for keeps, and we keep on pussyfooting about, so afraid tha we might not be observing our self-imposed “rules of war.*”

    ————————–
    *There are “rules of war”–they’ve been around a long time: Rule one: WIN, Rule two: WIN, Rule 3 . . . well you get the point, don’t you? As long as we are not fighting a war to WIN, we are losing it. Is that so hard to capeesh?

    Leslie White (6c69bb)

  45. Pat, Stashiu:

    Big time stuff guys! Thanks to Stashiu for having the courage to do it and Pat for publishing it. Can’t wait. Oh, and for you MSM types out there who are looking on with envy,……pound sand! You had your chance! 😉

    Ms. Judged (5c27b9)

  46. Stash,

    First, thank you for your service and many sacrifices. We are so blessed to have men (and women) who put their country before their own comfort and wellbeing.

    That said, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE! Don’t be so cavalier about protecting your identity! Your safety is paramount!

    USMCdaughter1 (9f37aa)

  47. Stashiu, sir, thank you for your service, and thank you for submitting to the interview with Patterico. I’m looking forward to getting the real skinny from a BTDT without the media’s filter’s slanting the information.

    We need much, much more of this.

    And Patrick, thanks in advance for what I’m certain will be informative as well as truthful, something we would never get from the media.

    antimedia (115e91)

  48. Patterico and Stashiu talk about Gitmo…

    Patterico has scored a coup because of his honest and upfront blogging: one of his commenters, Stashiu3, served at Gitmo, and has agreed to tell his story. The terrorists at Guantánamo knew the American by the name “Stashiu.” Readers of…

    CatHouse Chat (72c8fd)

  49. Stashiu, I include my deep gratitude for your service and courage with everyone who has already expressed their thanks. *Please* be careful and alert, ’cause – as you well know – you’re dealing with serious sociopaths (OK, so I’m not medically certified – I calls ’em as I sees ’em).

    I will be praying for your safety, and that God will place His mighty angels around you and yours for your protection. May His grace rest richly on your service and on your family.

    Best blessings, Stashiu!

    — Kat
    http://www.CatHouseChat.com

    Kat (b357fc)

  50. Stashiu has received death threats from around a dozen Al Qaeda members.- Patterico

    In light of that, you might want to differentiate the “Stashiu” whose blog commentary elsewhere adds “RVN, 1969-70” after his name, from the GTMO alum who may be his offspring.

    http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1683847/posts
    http://209.157.64.200/focus/f-vetscor/1648048/posts
    http://209.157.64.201/focus/f-news/1629376/posts?q=1&&page=1

    steve (db6ba8)

  51. Correction. Stashiu3 posts on another blog suggesting no connection:

    # Stashiu3 Says:
    July 14th, 2006 at 7:52 pm

    I checked out freerepublic and there is a stashiu, but looking at his posts, he says he went to basic in 1968. I went in 1983 (was only 7 years old in ‘68). Must be a Polack though. Interesting anyway. Thanks.

    http://www.liberalavenger.com/2006/07/13/pax-americana/

    Sorry for the distraction.

    steve (db6ba8)

  52. Strip this from the comments ASAP. And PDQ, if not then. But you refer to someone carrying out a threat . . . “any time soon.” I vote that “any time” is an adverb and should be “anytime.” I don’t hve the time to chse down the grammatical authorities on this. However, this is an important piece and will be cited and saved. the grammar should be correct. Perhaps you or someone else can resolve the question.

    http://expert.about.com/ has something on this, but I’m not sure it’s the last word.

    Alfred J. Lemire (570e73)

  53. Let’s Roll

    Neo (cba5df)

  54. I posted a link to this site on a forum I frequent, and the first response was from a review of Stephen Miles’ book OATH BETRAYED:

    “See ‘The Cost of war: Medical oaths betrayed” in the Washington Post 9 July 2006:

    “Based on my review of tens of thousands of pages of declassified government documents, congressional testimony, press accounts and reports by human rights organizations, the answer is clear: Many armed forces physicians, nurses and medics have been passive and active partners in the systematic neglect and abuse of prisoners. At facilities in Iraq, Afghanistan and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, the United States often failed to provide prisoners with minimally adequate medical and health systems. Some physicians and psychologists provided information that was used to determine the harshness of physically and psychologically abusive interrogations, which were then monitored by health professionals. Some doctors responsible for the medical records of detainees omitted evidence of abuse from their official reports. Medical personnel who knew of this system of neglect, abuse and torture remained silent.”

    Just what was the role of this “psych nurse”(and US army Major) in Gitmo?

    I doubt it was to treat detainees humanely.”

    Has Major Stashiu read this book? Can he comment on its allegations, which have apparently been widely repeated, e.g. in the WAPO review.

    John McBride (652433)

  55. I’ll be looking forward to reading a fellow JTF’er’s remarks. Like him, I wouldn’t trust the MSM at all.

    Quiet Dave (518e48)

  56. This series sounds like a must read. The term, “know thine enemy”, comes to mind.

    Thank you Stashiu3, and take care.

    Michael Williams (8a57b2)

  57. Just what was the role of this “psych nurse”(and US army Major) in Gitmo?

    I doubt it was to treat detainees humanely.”

    Gee, Mr. McBride you’re quick to conclude something about someone you know little about based on something someone else wrote about something another person wrote in a book. Sit down and shut up.

    Dubya (c16726)

  58. A story you won’t find in the MSM…

    This week, Patterico starts a series of posts covering his exclusive interview with an Army psych nurse who had been stationed at Gitmo. I know Zarqawi, the terrorist said to the American. I am going to have Zarqawi cut off……

    Darleen's Place (1650a7)

  59. #54. John McBride

    I doubt it was to treat detainees humanely.”

    If you still have doubts after reading the rest of Patterico’s postings I would be happy to discuss them. I have not read the referenced book, but it sounds interesting, though not very consistent with my personal experience. I’m sorry that you seem to have assumed the worst rather than hear what Patterico has asked me about, but I expect you’re not the only one and it certainly wouldn’t be wise to have too thin a skin on this.

    Stashiu3 (0da7ed)

  60. Stashiu3

    Sir, I look forward to the rest of the posts. I, too, wish to extend my heartfelt gratitude for your service.

    Darleen (03346c)

  61. Stashiu3

    What do you make of ex-GTMO Chaplain James Yee, arrested for espionage, blindfolded, placed in manacles and taken to a Navy brig, where he spent 76 days in solitary confinement? The Army dropped all charges (except adultery), asserting it was to avoid revealing sensitive information, and not because Yee was innocent.

    Yee is obviously bitter.

    He references Army psychiatric nurses in interviews and on liberal blogs:

    You had this special prison block for prisoners who were mentally disturbed, who had been seriously affected by the conditions that they were living in. They had to be monitored 24 hours a day, because they were under suicide threat. It was that serious. It was so serious that the Joint Task Force needed to have a team of 17 psychiatric nurses and doctors to take care of these prisoners who got to that state.

    http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=05/10/06/1316240

    Is he exaggerating? And is the military’s threshold for suspicion at Guantanamo such that benign behavior could all-too easily be mistaken as sinister?

    steve (db6ba8)

  62. I don’t know Chaplain Yee and he left long before I got there. Any hospital unit that is staffed 24/7 is typically going to have around 14-17 people at a minimum to allow for days off, vacation, illness, administration and education, etc… If there is only one patient at any time, you still need to meet minimum staffing, whether it is medical, psychiatric, or any type of unit.

    Also, in Behavioral Health, you tend to err on the side of patient safety. If there is any suspicion that someone is a danger to themselves it is best to evaluate them where they can be observed and protected until reasonably certain of their safety. This is not specific to Cuba or anywhere else, it is generally accepted practice.

    Stashiu3 (0da7ed)

  63. This is an exciting experiment. Thank you Stashiu3 for your service and Patterico for providing this forum. You are both taking military journalism to a new level.

    DRJ (ccb97e)

  64. Sorry for the length on this, it just kept growing:

    You are both taking military journalism to a new level

    I wouldn’t even call it journalism in that sense. Patterico contacted me ask asked questions that I answered the best I could within the restraints of my service. I (and hopefully this is obvious) cannot discuss secret military or medical information, nor can I violate confidentiality. Patterico has been very accepting of these limitations on what I can say. Almost everything you hear will be already publicly available and had been officially released. Everything else is just my personal opinion. But you never hear much about it and Patterico wanted to consolidate a lot of the questions people had. It is not an attempt to smear or to play “gotcha” with the MSM. I’m not speaking for the military or anyone but myself, within the limits of the regulations.

    I (and Patterico) have been very careful to emphasize what is my opinion and any errors are mine alone, not Patterico’s or the military’s. Patterico asked, I answered, as best I could within clear limitations.

    Do I have a positive perspective on our country and what we’re doing? You bet. But I don’t have CDS or BDS and everything is what I, as an individual, honestly believe to be true. While I appreciate the support above, I’m not a hero. I’m not a rebel or a whistle-blower or a sensationalist. I just answered questions as best as I was allowed because I was told people wanted to hear it. I think it does a pretty good job at addressing and consolidating a lot of what people have heard in pieces about GTMO. That’s due more to Patterico’s skill at writing than anything I have done. I just do the best job I can with what I have (h/t John Paul Jones whom is paraphrased there). If anyone has a problem with these posts, that’s fine. I stand by what I say and can discuss it in a civil manner, as long as that’s what I’m getting in return. If I get snark, I either give it right back or ignore the trollish behavior. It doesn’t mean that the other person has destroyed my point, it means that discussion is futile because they’re really not interested in discussion, just promoting their own agenda.

    At my request, Patterico has posted a second update that mentions contact by someone in the MSM. I will not say who because it doesn’t matter, I have no intention of talking with them. I trust Patterico to respect that I have limits and to not distort anything I say. I can’t say the same about anyone in the MSM, including any newspapers, television, or radio. I don’t want to be a public figure and think they should respect that. If not being willing to talk to MSM makes anyone dismiss what I say, so be it. Everyone has to make that decision for themselves on whether or not to believe what is presented. I will say that Presidents from both sides of the aisle have had misgivings about the way MSM portrays the news and I wouldn’t expect better treatment than they received. I think a lot of people would feel the same way, but I am only speaking for myself.

    Stashiu3 (0da7ed)

  65. I swear I previewed and the first sentence read “and asked”, not “ask asked”. It did. Really…. I think. Sorry folks.

    Stashiu3 (0da7ed)

  66. If it were possible to obtain corroborating first-hand information from other with similar US miliary backgrounds as Stashiu3, the case for actual conditions at GITMO could be reliably established.
    Do we have any other “inside sources” wanting to contribute?

    Charles Cardo (87bf97)

  67. Stashiu, why’d you even bother with the potty-mouths at liberalavenger?

    You know those types and the media will hound you to “prove” you’re a heartless, mean bastard and a prime example of the morally-defective conservatives. You’ve got to worry more about them than the psychos at GTMO.

    Dubya (c16726)

  68. #61 Steve:

    You have to remember that the people at GTMO are psycho-killers brainwashed by a cult that worships death. That you have to put some on suicide watch is more of a “Duh, that’s why they’re here in the first place.” than a revelation.

    Dubya (c16726)

  69. More people than we think in GITMO are terrorists.

    We’re not always looking in the right place.

    http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/11128331/follow_omar_khadr_from_an_al_qaeda_childhood_to_a_gitmo_cell

    Omar (63f5ad)

  70. Dubya,

    I believe in civil discussion and when I first started reading blogs, it seemed that I should look at both sides and keep an open mind. I really like to hear opposing views if they can remain on-topic and civil. There were a couple of people at LA who weren’t interested and that was fine, I just ignored them. For those willing to talk, I found several posters who could be clever, insightful, and respectful while committed to their beliefs, and I returned measure for measure. If I got snark, I gave snark… if I got discussion, we discussed without the attacks so common on many sites. I didn’t always agree with the posters at LA, but I think there are some quality people there. But fairly quickly, the discussions began to stop and there only remained snark.

    I don’t post there anymore as the snark made it a waste of my time. Life is too short to play the troll and I don’t care to do it. It wasn’t even the majority there, just a few that attacked at every opportunity. I decided that if that was the audience, who was I to rain on their parade? If they wanted to hear only one side, I was ok with that. It wasn’t a lot of folks there, but none of the others ever objected and I took that as approval. I still read a few of the liberal sites and look at the comments, but never post on them. It justs wastes everyone’s time.

    Besides, anyone can prove that I’m a heartless, mean bastard if the definition is “anyone who leans or is conservative and/or is in the military”. Sticks and stones, I chose to let them go their way and I would go mine… we’re both fine with that I think.

    Stashiu3 (404f9e)

  71. […] [This is Part Two of my exclusive interview with “Stashiu,” an Army nurse who worked at Guantánamo, and who spoke on a regular basis with detainees with psychological and/or behavioral problems. Part One was published yesterday and can be accessed here. In today’s entry, Stashiu talks about his arrival at GTMO, and discusses the true nature of the detainees who are being held there.] […]

    Patterico’s Pontifications » Patterico’s Exclusive Interview with a Man Who Has Spoken to the Terrorists at Guantánamo (Part Two: Stashiu Arrives at GTMO and Describes the Terrorists) (421107)

  72. Omar..

    great article, I hope your buddy enjoy’s his tormented life. What a piece of crap. Hard for me to feel ANYTHING for a suicide bomber in training. His “parents” the palestinian and the egyptian should be sued for child abuse.

    Omar, your friend is an evil little shit, he deserves MUCH worse.

    dav (34437c)

  73. Thanks Stashiu and Patterico for providing this story to us without the media filtering it.

    In my opinion the actions of the media are far more influential and far more culpable than they admit; for instance, the current mass killings in the schools are the direct result of media ‘rewarding’ the perpetrators by playing up their stories. Far more for terrorism, where they KNOW the reason terrorist tactics are what they are.

    ChrisPer (63a011)

  74. […] Part One: Introduction. I know Zarqawi,” the terrorist said to the American. “I am going to have Zarqawi cut off your family’s head while you watch. Then he will cut off your head.” […]

    Never Yet Melted » Interviews with a Guantánamo Staff Nurse (be406a)

  75. Good to read this. Thank God for the internet.

    If you read this Mr. “Stashiu” thank you for your service to our country.

    Brian (bca52a)

  76. Sorry if I was unclear: the comment “I doubt it was to treat detainees humanely.” was not mine but the fellow I am arguing with on another forum. I am looking for evidence to use in support of what we are doing at Gitmo. But that book is out there and being cited by the other side, and if Major Stashiu can directly refute it I’d be very glad.

    John McBride (652433)

  77. […] Part 1: The terrorists at Guantánamo knew the American by the name “Stashiu.” Readers of this blog know him as “Stashiu3.” Stashiu has been reading and commenting on this blog since July 2006, but only recently mentioned that he had been stationed in Guantánamo. When I read that, back on September 17, I immediately e-mailed Stashiu to ask him if he would be willing to speak with me on the record about Guantánamo, and let me publish the results of our conversation. He agreed, and this series of posts is the result. […]

    Cold Fury » Blog Archive » Journalism, its own self (6f4592)

  78. Stashiu,

    My only excuse is that it cannot be said too often:

    Thank you for your service.

    Knucklehead (bb5370)

  79. Personally I would favor the Mirror approach to handling of prisioners (detainees my A–) and treat them exactly as our captured troops are treated.

    Steve Carson (cb6521)

  80. #80

    You must mean, of course, beheading them, dragging their mutilated bodies through the streets, hanging their charred remains from bridge structures, videotaping the whole “ritual” and posting those videos on every web site on the planet.

    Dubya (c16726)

  81. […] Can a terrorist “get to know” and sort of make friends with Americans and decide he doesn’t want to kill them? Patterico has a multi-parter, an interview with a fellow who has spent time among the prisoners of Gitmo and has gotten to know some of them well. Yeah, they still want him to die and his family, too, and they’re promising to kill him, but it’s nothing personal…just business. Read this fascinating and extensive interview, if you read nothing else today: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3. Parts 4 and 5 to come. I suggest printing these out and giving them full attention. […]

    The Anchoress » A questionable turn about the ’sphere (1b383c)

  82. […] [This is Part Four of my exclusive interview with “Stashiu,” an Army nurse who worked at Guantánamo, and who spoke on a regular basis with detainees with psychological and/or behavioral problems. Part One can be accessed here. Part Two is available here. Part Three is here. […]

    Patterico’s Pontifications » Patterico’s Exclusive Interview with a Man Who Has Spoken to the Terrorists at Guantánamo (Part Four: The Treatment of the Detainees) (421107)

  83. Physical Abuse, Mistreatment, and Koran Desecration at Gitmo…

    You know, by the detainees.
    Read Part 4 of Patterico’s interview with an Army nurse who was stationed at Gitmo:

    The attacks on military personnel could be brutal, he explained:

    We were told about one female medic who had to have major……

    Mary Katharine Ham (b5f39f)

  84. […] Patterico’s five part interview with a Psych Nurse at Gitmo, who goes by the nickname Stashiu, is a must read. The introduction and background is here. Links to the rest of the series can be found here. Part Two: In this post, Stashiu talks about what the terrorists at Gitmo are really like, based upon his hours of speaking with them. […]

    Pundit Review » Blog Archive » What’s happening at Guantanamo Bay? Who do you believe? (693bf6)

  85. […] Part 1 — Introduction Part 2 — Stashiu (name used by the nurse to protect his identity) arrives at GTMO, and tells us what the terrorists are like. Part 3 — Hunger strikes, suicides and suicide attempts, and mental illness. Part 4 — Treatment of the detainees Part 5 — Stashiu reacts to Big Media pieces about GITMO. […]

    Bizzyblog » Weekend Question 2: What’s the Best Way to Learn about What’s REALLY Happening at Gitmo? (34f45e)

  86. […] Patterico’s Exclusive Interview with a Man Who Has Spoken to the Terrorists at Guantánamo […]

    SoCalPundit - Conservative News & Views from Southern California » AP Runs With 3rd Hand Knowledge Of Beatings At Guantanamo Bay Cuba (1b7bfc)

  87. […] I invite you to read Patterico’s series of articles about the true story of Gitmo. Here is a snippet from his Introduction, and a bonus Cox and Forkum cartoon (after the jump): I know Zarqawi, the terrorist said to the American. I am going to have Zarqawi cut off your family’s head while you watch. Then he will cut off your head. […]

    Euphoric Reality - » Life Inside Club Gitmo (88e527)

  88. The truth of Club Gitmo…

    I found a very curious, interesting, insightful, and educational post over at dicentra’s blog (Dicentra’s Garden). Her post contains information and perspectives not commonly found: “The true story of Club Gitmo”.
    In this post, …

    Muslihoon (fced9f)

  89. […] In this post, dicentra informs us of a five-part interview between Patterico (of Patterico’s Pontifications) and a mental health professional at Camp X-Ray (Club Gitmo, Guantanamo, Guantanamo Bay, et cetera). The five parts are listed below: Part 1: “Patterico’s Exclusive Interview with a Man Who Has Spoken to the Terrorists at Guantánamo (Part One: Introduction)” […]

    The truth of Club Gitmo « Muslihoon (ca9c00)

  90. […] A blog called Patterico’s Pontifications has an interesting five part (1 2 3 4 5) interview with a Major at Guantanamo known to the terrorists there as “Stashiu.” He has been reading and commenting on the blog, and agreed to an interview. […]

    sammytaylor.net (5c8fa9)

  91. […] isn’t happening (supported by actual threats at Gitmo noted by an actual anonymous soldier at Patterico’s place last […]

    BizzyBlog » Sad, But Probably True (34f45e)

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