A report surfaced over the weekend about a Ft. Lewis Soldier who apparently waterboarded his daughter because she was unable to accurately recite the alphabet.
From the UK Daily Mail:
Joshua Tabor admitted to police he had used the CIA torture technique because he was so angry.
As his daughter ‘squirmed’ to get away, Tabor said he submerged her face three or four times until the water was lapping around her forehead and jawline.
Tabor, 27, who had won custody of his daughter only four weeks earlier, admitted choosing the punishment because the girl was terrified of water.
Some things you just have to let sink in when you first hear them so, take your time and let THAT one sink in.
We could jump right to calling the father reckless, and as having exercised poor judgement, but those are no brainers.
Let’s talk about what this signifies. For me, 2 things jump to the forefront right away.
1.) Mental/Emotional imbalance in many of our soldiers. I’m not saying it’s inherent, just that it’s a prevalent issue that doesn’t get enough attention or resources. Being in the military isn’t a cake walk; often it takes a harsh toll.
2.) The myth that waterboarding “works”, or should be considered a reliable form of intelligence- or alphabet- gathering. Yes, Tabor said he used the technique because his daughter was afraid of water. But he didn’t say “I pushed my daughter’s head underwater a few times”, no, he said he was so angry, he waterboarded her.
The child may have already been afraid of water, but being waterboarded is enough to make anyone afraid of water- to the point they will say things they otherwise wouldn’t. I think of a 4 year old child, screaming and crying in terror, reciting the alphabet out of order just to get away- just to save herself.
What’s ironic about the entire thing- well, there are many things that are ironic, but here’s one: the court awarded him custody of the little girl over her mother, who lives in Kansas.
It speaks to the “Dr. Jekyll Mr. Hyde” complex a lot of service members wrestle with after military service- especially combat. On one hand, Tabor presented well- at least to a court of law and the Department of Children and Family Services.
On the other hand, he was capable of transforming into the “Mommy Dearest “of all fathers, so obsessed with control, he tortured his own daughter.
I would add:
3) The idea promoted by the powers that (used to) be that waterboarding isn't really torture, that we wouldn't torture anyone but a little waterboarding is okay. Therefore he could justifiably say, "Yeah, I waterboarded her, but it's not like I tortured her."