Although no terrorists signed the Geneva Conventions (rules for how to deal humanely with prisoners of war), many think that we (the U.S.) should hold ourselves responsible to these codes while interrogating high-ranking terrorists. Torture may put us on "their level," but at the same time, it is a very effective way to expose time-sensitive information that could save American lives.
Do you think torture is necessary or justifiable in order to gather Intel from high-ranking terrorists?
Refer to this website for more information: http://www.balancedpolitics.org/prisoner_torture.htm
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Though I do not morally agree with torture, I think enhanced interrogation techniques can be an effective tool in obtaining information from terrorist suspects. I also think that it is completely legal under international law and Constitutional law to use water boarding in interrogation sessions on terrorists who are being detained outside this country. This is because: one they are not US citizens, nor have they ever stepped foot inside the US, and two they do not fall under the Geneva Convention because they are not the official military of any country...they are rogue terrorists. Once we bring these terrorists inside the US (like certain presidential administrations would do) we can no longer use these techniques (because at that point they have Constitutional rights). Logically, why would we allow terrorists to have Constitutional rights? Some of these people would kill Americans as soon as look at them…yet there are Leftist politicians in this country who think these cult following gun slingers should have OUR rights and OUR privileges. God forbid.
ReplyDeleteI pretty much agree with the comment above me. I feel that in the effort towards saving american lives, certain moral risks have to be taken. Its not like you're water boarding kittens, theses people would just as soon see you dead. I think that in the interest of american lives, torture is an invaluable tactic that needs to be used.
ReplyDeleteI believe that the U.S. should pave the way in terms of ethically dealing with terrorists, and because of that torture methods should not be used.
ReplyDeletei think you should beat them til they talk. no one cares if they bleed as long as americans don't. get em good. real good. love my freedom. yeah america.
ReplyDeleteI believe torture is justified on terrorists in time-sensitive situations where information could be gathered that could save american lives. Terrorists do not abide by any moral codes when they plan and execute attacks, and therefore don't deserve any better treatment.
ReplyDeleteCompletely with jill on this. The golden rule, do to others as you would want to be done to you... or something like that. If you arent going to abide by the rules, than dont expect for others to do so.
ReplyDeleteI think that the U.S. should abide by the codes of Geneva Convention even though no terrorists have signed it. If the U.S. does not uphold the moralistic principles of the Geneva Convention by resigning to torture, how are we (as a country) any "better" than the terrorists whom we are torturing? Isn't torture used as a device to obtain information a form of terrorism? Despite the crimes terrorists have committed against Americans, they deserve to be treated as any other prisoners of war. In signing the Geneva Convention the U.S. did not stipulate that it would adhere to its codes when prosecuting people from, say, the Middle East, and not people from Western Europe. I agree that new interrogation technologies should be considered, but the U.S. cannot follow double standards in order to obtain information in a more 'timely manner.' As a world superpower, we are to set an example that other countries follow.
ReplyDeleteLike Joe said before, the U.S. needs to be setting the example here. Maybe all the terrorists are trying to prove a point, that if we do wrong then they can too. Us being a major country, people look up to us. How does it look when we are punishing people for the same things that we are doing? The Middle East shouldn't be terrorizing, but the U.S. shouldn't be torturing. Two wrongs doesn't make a right. I think that both parties could benefit from taking a look at the golden rule.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with Joe. Even though useful information could be obtained by torturing terrorists, the U.S. to hold itself to higher standards than terrorists. It is this kind of hypocrisy that makes terrorists target the U.S. in the first place.
ReplyDeleteI disagree with torture because I believe that we should not put ourselves on "their level" when there are several effective, alternative methods. As the website says, "There are plenty of other methods for extracting good information that don't require physical torture. Mind control drugs, sleep deprivation, good cop-bad cop techniques, and verbal intimidation are only a few. Not only are these methods more humane, but they also can yield better information."
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