What is Torture?
The use of torture to gather intelligence from terrorists is under great scrutiny lately. There are those who believe torture works and those that don't.
This Hot Air story should put that to rest.
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Anti-"torture" absolutists like Sullivan adamantly deny that harsh tactics produce reliable information. It's their way of avoiding the moral dilemma presented by a ticking time-bomb scenario. But they'll have to face it now, because in four short minutes Brian Ross utterly explodes that particular article of quasi-religious faith as fantasy. Not only did they break Khaled Sheikh Mohammed; not only was the information he gave them valuable; not only did it save lives; but Ross's sources include people within the CIA who are opposed to the practices. |
What concerns me is the term "torture", which is being thrown about a bit carelessly lately and unless Americans actually perform some due diligence and find out what the interrogation techniques are, they'll probably be left with a Hollywood interpretation of "torture". Here are some real techniques:
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The techniques sought by the CIA are: induced hypothermia; forcing suspects to stand for prolonged periods; sleep deprivation; a technique called "the attention grab" where a suspect's shirt is forcefully seized; the "attention slap" or open hand slapping that hurts but does not lead to physical damage; the "belly slap"; and sound and light manipulation. |
Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,,1874823,00.html
Attention grab? Belly slap? Where is the wet willie? I'm sorry, this is not torture. Though I never want to experience any of these things, I still don't see it as torture. Even Brian Ross' description of water boarding, as horrific as it sounds, leaves no permanent physical damage. Some may argue that the recipient is left with permanent mental trauma, possibly unable to function under certain circumstances. I find these things to be too subjective. Should we stop a highly effective procedure because a small percentage may have lingering negative psychological effects?
Torture, by my definition, is dismemberment, being put on the rack, or in the iron maiden and mental torture is watching someone you care about get racked or cut up. The methods currently used are effective and, I would wager most Americans agree, perfectly acceptable.
Comments
Acceptable, until of course you get thrown in some gulag for being on the wrong side of the street, and labeled an "enemy combatant" and these warm fuzzy techniques are applied to your ass, that is. Have you ever experienced torture? Would you like to try it? Remember this snippet from George W. Bush in 2003, “The United States is committed to the world-wide elimination of torture,and we are leading this fight by example.” Oh, the irony!
Posted by: Fawkes | October 18, 2006 02:09 AM
This all sounds so familiar...
Posted by: Ed Z | October 18, 2006 08:41 AM
I’ll revisit this comment since my post today deals with this subject.
Where to begin? Your use of the phrase “enemy combatant” leads me to believe the gulag you’re referring to is the Guantanamo Bay detainment camp. I encourage you to find out the true definition of gulag. I also have some friends from the former Soviet Union who would be happy to explain it to you. The prisoners at Gitmo are treated like gold.
Your next comment about my exposure to torture was answered in the post. Since you missed that I’m not surprised you missed my point: as harsh as these methods may seem, I don’t see it as torture. Further, your quote from the POTUS really doesn’t fit, because the attention grab and belly slap aren’t torture. It seems like you’re just stretching to fit in a Bush bash comment.
Also, out of curiosity, is there any scenario where you would support these methods?
Posted by: Ed Z | October 24, 2006 04:05 PM