Render / Rendition

I've been thinking about the verb render and its euphemistic use by 'intelligence' folks. Ionesco loved such words intended to obscure.

Render, when used in the context of extraordinary rendition, seemingly refers to the "provide to" sense of the verb.

I'm sure however that the "melt down" or "process carcass in order to extract protein" sense of render was the intended variant.

The same people that brought us the phrase terminate with extreme prejudice speak softly of extraordinary rendition and coercive techniques.

It turns out the extraordinary modifier to rendition was an exaggeration, for the actual policy was rather ordinary once the gloves came off

I'm impressed by the techniques suffix to "coercive interrogation techniques". It provides the weasel veneer of bureaucratic justification.

The gloves came off metaphor is of a piece with the reluctant avenger, cold warrior and cowboy rhetoric. Also the fighter pilot iconography.

As Gil Scott-Heron pointed out the metaphor is always "The man in the white hat", it's never "He died with his pants on". The B-movie Theory

They used techniques, after all, this wasn't done without thought. Techniques for God's sake. They had memos, they had a mandate. Techniques

They rendered enemy combatants. The analysts were security professionals, the lawyers wrote briefs, memos, and provided sober legal counsel

From the president on, everyone always meant well. We should never forget the pervasive fear of those times. We should never forget they say.

I'm confounded by Diane Feinstein's phrase in the Senate Committee's torture report: "the impulse to consider the use of every possible tool"

Render / Rendition

Render
Rendition
Techniques
Extraction
Intelligence
Determination
Coercive
Interrogation
"Color-coded threat"
"Stress position"

Agency
Authorization
Bureaucratic
Justification
"Pervasive fear"
Suffocation
"Every possible tool"
Mutilation
Truth
Fiction

Program
Detention
Committee
Conclusion
Values
Expectation
Evidence
Destruction
Executive
Classification

Concern
Abdication
Duress
Oppression
Detainee
Sanction
Mission
Completion
Indefinite
Incarceration

Reviews
Recommendation
Secrecy
Investigation
Findings
Decision
Medical
Precision
Battlefield
Condition

Field manual
Operation
Contractor
Delegation
Homeland
Representation
Unreleased
Section
"Enhanced"
[ Redaction ]

Wall
Collision
Sleep
Deprivation
Rectal!
Hydration?
Pain
Contortion
Linguistic
Distortion

Study
Revision
Wartime
Alienation
Constraints
Compulsion
Restraints
Revulsion
Enforcement
Intimidation

Outsourced
Situation
Professional
Affectation
Permanent
Condition
Blood
Repulsion
Sin
Confession

Delayed
Publication
Damage
Mitigation
Sullied
Reputation
Outrage
Attention
Necessity
Neglection

Statute
Limitation
Geneva
Convention
Liability
Litigation
Missing
Compensation
Accountability?
Desertion

Blustery
Pontification
Misleading
Compilation
Success?
Inflation
Platitudes
Comprehension
Ludicrous
Prevarication

Security
Protection
Treaties
Obligation
Counsel
Dissimulation
Impulse
Misdirection
Damning
Distraction

Extensive
Preparation
Confinement
Contraction
Liquid
Nutrition
Programmatic
Starvation
Behavior
Modification

Goodwill
Dissipation
Diplomacy
Complication
Reckless
Accommodation
Pride
Restriction
Shame
Inflection

Patriotic
Intention
Tenuous
Salvation
Absence
Redemption
Erasure
Restoration
Judicious
Diversion

Harmful
Friction
Living
Invention
Mournful
Adjudication
Dangerous
Subversion
Poverty
Imagination

Rhetorical
Congratulation
Obscene
Citation
Wicked
Implication
Doubtful
Mediation
Ignored
Submission

Imperial
Contention
Oblivious
Reaction
Systematic
Protestation
Ridicule
Reception
Artful
Omission

Inquiry
Condemnation
Worldwide
Suggestion
Reluctant
Identification
Faded
Admiration
Ongoing
Asphyxiation

Covert
Dispensation
Robust
Accumulation
Intentional
Concision
Captured
Regulation
Oversight?
Illusion

Implacable
Opposition
Sensible
Supervision
Remarkable
Dilution
Income
Distribution
Unearned
Remuneration

Ruthless
Organization
Policy
Gestation
Unwarranted
Invasion
Conflict
Adoption
Contemptuous
Communication

Western
Machination
Solipsistic
Absorption
Fragile
Adaptation
Cultural
Variation
Toothless
Negation

Rights
Suspension
Deleterious
Temptation
Funding
Indignation
Needless
Accusation
Pointless
Recrimination

Ordinary
Exaggeration
Unfortunate
Improvisation
Admitted
Deception
Managed
Perception
Mythical
Affirmation

Dishonorable
Introduction
Dungeon
Provision
Insomnia
Hallucination
Unbearable
Tradition
Uncivilized
Nation

Increasing
Frustration
Aggressive
Competition
Consistent
Anticipation
Unsanitary
Migration
Cold
Calculation

Forced
Digestion
Useless
Petition
Dismal
Donation
Media
Fixation
Footnote
Generation

Coffin-sized
Configuration
Water
Application
Simple
Combination
Damage
Deracination
Worthless
Information

Misguided
Collaboration
Crusade
Confrontation
Intellectual
Immiseration
Spurious
Distinction
Soulless
Association

Energetic
Manipulation
Democracy
Promotion?
Disappointing
Corruption
Misplaced
Compassion
Deferred
Conversation

Duty
Dereliction
Integrity
Renunciation
Scatological
Fascination
Childish
Obsession
Ignored
Objection

Youthful
Indiscretion
Mean
Regression
Sanctimonious
Suppression
Unmerited
Acclamation
Failed
Inhibition

Celebrity
Contribution
Suppository
Imposition
Prisoner
Supposition
Presidential
Prohibition
Poisoned
Succession

Formal
Deposition
Norm
Violation
Dubious
Potion
Patrimony
Dissipation
Naysayer
Vindication

Posture
Prostration
Sexual
Lubrication
Fitful
Ingestion
Religious
Desecration
Humanity
Constriction

Internee
Evaluation
Light
Attenuation
Restricted
Motion
Nasal
Irrigation
Liminal
Libation

Interpreter
Translation
Adverse
Selection
Bounty
Concession
Changing
Definition
Circumstantial
Conviction

Moral
Dimension
Topical
Digression
Selective
Indirection
Rogue
Procession
Warning
Obliteration

External
Location
Allied
Accession
Righteous
Recognition
Fatal
Indecision
Justice
Elision

Frustrated
Ambition
Clipped
Diction
Intense
Articulation
Procedure
Resurrection
Intentional
Vivisection

Arrogant
Arrogation
Perilous
Peregrination
Alarming
Imputation
Disputed
Observation
Choice
Abortion

Presumptuous
Appropriation
Amateur
Pronunciation
Illegible
Illustration
Execrable
Assumption
Waste
Elimination

Singular
Possession
Inevitable
Progression
Perfidious
Corporation
Currency
Devaluation
Greater
Recession

Multiple
Quotation
Target
Consultation
Civility
Vacation
Supreme
Toleration
Broken
Union

Limb
Extension
Faltering
Respiration
Exemplary
Pretension
Appearance
Abolition
Existential
Reversion

Choreographed
Transition
Saline
Infusion
Fluid
Intoxication
Psychologist
Intervention
Biological
Experimentation

Mental
Perversion
Panicked
Retrogression
Hunger
Humiliation
Extreme
Affliction
Grace
Castration

Deliberate
Obfuscation
Diffuse
Suspicion
Warrantless
Intrusion
Abuse
Adoration
Retinal
Dilation

Feigned
Concentration
Advice
Exclusion
Constant
Invocation
Imagined
Exception
Probity
Remission

Necessary
Interception
Fantasy
Creation
Stolen
Tribulation
Marginal
Implementation
Decency
Immigration

Extremity
Subtraction
Cavity
Insertion
Wound
Insemination
Artificial
Distinction
Probable
Extinction

Casual
Exploration
Depraved
Sensation
Particular
Illumination
Expected
Humiliation
Soul
Ruination

Stylistic
Innovation
Freelance
Rumination
Advanced
Automation
Telling
Indication
Resultant
Concussion

Drone
Explosion
Village
Commotion
Newspaper
Mention
Perfunctory
Expression
Population
Reduction

Latest
Edition
Perfidious
Caption
Final
Option
Ceremonial
Presentation
Complaisant
Facilitation

Background
Attribution
Sought
Cooperation
Site
Relocation
Distributed
Participation
Impotent
Injunction

Thoughtless
Instruction
Rule
Diffusion
Nebulous
Compartmentalization
Threat
Emission
Press
Domestication

Unpopular
Opinion
Cost
Trillion
Predicted
Contradiction
Peaceful
Liberation
Continuing
Education

Masculinity
Aggression
Adrenaline
Animation
Sad
Disposition
Estrogen
Disruption
Required
Reflection

Pervasive
Vandalization
Tactical
Generalization
Retrospective
Admission
Profound
Ossification
Importance
Cognition

Sinister
Specialization
Family
Co-option
Suborn
Deliberation
Hostage
Negotiation
Self
Preservation

Conscious
Simulation
Appropriate
Coordination
Surprising
Satisfaction
Activity
Customization
Influence
Conservation

Profit
Augmentation
Homogeneous
Composition
Resistance
Transformation
Tribal
Authentication
Ideological
Indoctrination

Ethical
Evolution
Arduous
Navigation
Conduct
Demonstration
Murderous
Standardization
Noxious
Revolution

Lost
Congregation
Principle
Minimization
Controversial
Interpretation
Philosophical
Question
Stolen
Election

Power
Centralization
Historical
Abstraction
Honesty
Aversion
Preferred
Version
Tissue
Rejection

Cowering
Caution
Shrieks
Exhaustion
Injury
Infliction
Wilful
Inaction
Derived
Fragmentation

Camp
Administration
Poetry
Confiscation
Literature
Munition
Human bodies
Ammunition?
Privilege
Revocation

Intolerable
Provocation
Impertinent
Recrimination
Cult-like
Indoctrination
No
Reconsideration
Cultural
Projection

Cell
Utilization
Anxiety
Elevation
Electrical
Stimulation
Genital
Incapacitation
Inspired
Abomination

Dishonest
Acquisition
Scandalous
Faction
Violent
Suction
Disgust
Urination
Legacy
Despoliation

Overseas
Destabilization
Blowback
Saturation
Foreign
Legion
Mercenary
Season
Bleeding
Lesion

Hidden
Installation
Policy
Persecution
Vindictive
Perpetration
Agony
Segregation
Criminal
Explanation

Rented
Mansion
Newfound
Vision
Rumored
Allegation
Implied
Sterilization
Potential
Circumcision

Mindless
Tabulation
Unusual
Exposition
Rapid
Transportation
Hubris
Enervation
Gutter
Gravitation

Legal
Abrogation
Effective
Cancellation
Inadequate
Transmission
Territorial
Expansion
Conscience
Evacuation

Claustrophobia
Congestion
Sensory
Encapsulation
Outlaw
Contagion
Inviolable
Constitution?
American
Predation

Advanced
Intuition
Pastoral
Repudiation
Exploited
Division
Troubled
Intersection
Embarrassing
Erection

Prolonged
Discussion
Mounting
Discrimination
Avoiding
Circumspection
Fuel
Ignition
Internal
Combustion

Chest
Compression
Air
Circulation
Flow
Obstruction
Ingredient
Addition
Drug
Addiction

Mislaid
Cushion
Welts
Contusion
Desired
Solution
Coarse
Confection
Quick
Execution

Lengthy
Seclusion
Organ
Occlusion
Lawsuit
Preclusion
Punishment
Recursion
Debarment
Prevention

Deployment
Rotation
Cynical
Politicization
Rationale
Implosion
Widespread
Derision
Nostalgia
Fashion

Belief
Proposition
Efficient
Collection
Course
Correction
Wink
Connotation
Dead
Complexion

Stentorian
Declaration
Proffered
Recompensation
Generational
Declension
Ingredient
Alteration
Abhorrent
Mutation

Forced
Constipation
Rape
Insinuation
Ceaseless
Vibration
Ominous
Intimation
Functional
Defenestration

Tooth
Excision
Surgical
Incision
Heat
Convection
Post-mortem
Dissection
Post modern
Explication

Blind
Devotion
Proof
Confirmation
Fact
Verification
Lacking
Substantiation
Invented
Corroboration

Message
Synchronization
Brand
Appreciation
Sublime
Persuasion
Enchanted
Population
Cattle
Appellation

Dogs
Domination
Slaps
Profusion
Hoods
Reclusion
Handcuffs
Ablution
Pacifist
Delusion

Sovereignty
Immunization
Amnesty
Vaccination
Stench
Consecration
Impunity
Desecration
Grief
Consolation

Suspect
Motivation
Vicious
Direction
Self-serving
Narration
Impossible
Reconciliation
Odious
Foundation

Immoral
Consideration
Deceitful
Conception
Repeated
Subjection
Physical
Deterioration
Disappearing
Documentation

In sober rooms, and without compunction,
With their white collars and red scribes,
They rejected a mere police action.

The resolved solution of their tribe:
Wounded flesh, revenge their intention.

Standing orders and compromised sources,
An own goal, these never-repudiated wars.
A course, instead, of military prosecutions,
Lies, and brutal interrogations.

Disgrace
Nepotism
Briefs
Criticisms
Wars
Terrorisms
Memos
Legalisms
Freedoms
Euphemisms

...

I've written about the game of the rough beast and I continue to wonder at its bureaucratic infrastructure. Who is writing the script?

For whatever reason, perhaps a keen sense of outrage, I've felt compelled to devise over a hundred variations on my initial scheme. Such is my asylum:

Wordplay as balm for disgust
Language as defense mechanism
Wit as refuge from despair
Poetry as exorcism

I'll follow the Via Negativa convention and tag the above under poems & poem-like things.

Sidenote: Twitter is a dangerous medium. In its immediacy, it takes just one fugitive thought about ostensibly serious-minded folks, and before you know it fifteen forty-five seventy minutes have passed.

File under: language, bureaucracy, torture, policy, USA, security, culture, erustication, CIA, rogues, politics, humour, satire, outrage, hatchet job, Extraordinary Rendition, poetry, The Rough Beast, Things Fall Apart, toli