- Joined
- Feb 2, 2008
- Messages
- 3,059
I have had conversations before with some on this forum about what they "know" because of some unattributed drivel they read on the internet or "heard" . You can not just blindly believe what some unattributed source posts on the internet or on talk radio etc... The Internet can be the equivalent of the high school bathroom wall and often should be viewed with the same degree of credulity.
This post is from the VMI web site reacting to some nonsense posts that apparently are circulating. It would be amusing if these kind of rumors weren't so hazardous to a reputation.
http://www.vmi.edu/NewsCenter.aspx?id=38933
False Reports of Waterboarding
LEXINGTON, Va., April 30, 2009 -- False reports have been circulating on some talk television and radio programs and on the Internet alleging that cadets are routinely waterboarded at VMI as part of a “ritualized hazing.” These false accusations are apparently being made to justify the practice of waterboarding suspected terrorists, now banned by the President.
VMI does not waterboard anyone, nor can we find any reference in our records that such a practice has ever occurred here. Some reports are specifically alleging that George C. Marshall, a graduate of VMI’s Class of 1901 and arguably one of the greatest soldiers America has produced, was waterboarded when he was a cadet. We have found no reference in our records or in the voluminous biographical information about General Marshall that he was ever subjected to waterboarding.
In their first months at VMI, cadets experience the Rat Line. This is a very tough period, both physically and mentally. The Rat Line at VMI today is a carefully calibrated experience that is professionally run. It does not include waterboarding, and it cannot be equated with hazing.
These allegations are not appropriate to the reputation of General Marshall or the Virginia Military Institute.
This post is from the VMI web site reacting to some nonsense posts that apparently are circulating. It would be amusing if these kind of rumors weren't so hazardous to a reputation.
http://www.vmi.edu/NewsCenter.aspx?id=38933
False Reports of Waterboarding
LEXINGTON, Va., April 30, 2009 -- False reports have been circulating on some talk television and radio programs and on the Internet alleging that cadets are routinely waterboarded at VMI as part of a “ritualized hazing.” These false accusations are apparently being made to justify the practice of waterboarding suspected terrorists, now banned by the President.
VMI does not waterboard anyone, nor can we find any reference in our records that such a practice has ever occurred here. Some reports are specifically alleging that George C. Marshall, a graduate of VMI’s Class of 1901 and arguably one of the greatest soldiers America has produced, was waterboarded when he was a cadet. We have found no reference in our records or in the voluminous biographical information about General Marshall that he was ever subjected to waterboarding.
In their first months at VMI, cadets experience the Rat Line. This is a very tough period, both physically and mentally. The Rat Line at VMI today is a carefully calibrated experience that is professionally run. It does not include waterboarding, and it cannot be equated with hazing.
These allegations are not appropriate to the reputation of General Marshall or the Virginia Military Institute.
