As in every story of this kind, there are two sides. I don't doubt that there was some kind of action taken by the INS. John Gillmore's friend recounts a similar episode wherein he is made to "voluntarily" sign away a visa.

Was there abuse involved? Depends on what one believes is abuse. I would consider being made to watch "I Love Lucy" re-runs a henious form of abuse; others would think they were in heaven, pass the bon-bons, please.

You get my point. Is every word of the article true? No, I'd throw cash at that bet. Is the INS telling us the whole story? No; I'd double down on that bet.

That said, speaking as someone who was stripped and cavity searched on his way OUT of Pakistan in 1989 after having covered the Afghan war, I can tell you the U.S. isn't the only country with a reputation for being thugs.