Brennan euphemized torture as EIT and called its effects unknowable

Evidence

During the news conference, Brennan referred to “E.I.Ts,” shorthand for the euphemistic term enhanced interrogation techniques. He never used the word torture in response to questions. Brennan argued that, contrary to the Senate report, the harsh methods were useful, but their effects were “unknowable” Neither the concoctors of the brutal methods nor the higher-level officials who authorized their use were held accountable for the program, which they carried out in the name of national security. — Albert Bandura, Moral Disengagement, 2391

Categorization

• DEFINE: Documents the euphemism ‘enhanced interrogation techniques’ (EIT) as an active linguistic mechanism for moral disengagement rather than a neutral label.
• QUESTION: Worth chasing: what does the ‘unknowable effects’ defense accomplish rhetorically, and is it a common tactic in other accountability contexts?