Have We Softened Up On Torture?

The prisoners being discussed are not common people. Mostly they have been brainwashed while studying the Quran during 9 years of their childhood, so they gladly obey an order from a religious representative. Otherwise, how can anyone explain men and women blowing themselves up in the midst of religious crowds, or flying passenger planes into buildings full of innocent people? One has to understand this fact first and the use any means adequate to protect the public from thoss inhuman beings who know no respect for any infidel.

Simon says.

"For those who seem to think the present administration is somehow more MORAL than the past one because of their stand on waterboarding, all I can say is ABORTION"

I think allowing our government to torture is the topic here. In any case, the government isn't forcing abortions against the will of mothers because the government suspects that they shouldn't have kids...that would be the moral equivalent here.

For those who seem to think the present administration is somehow more MORAL than the past one because of their stand on waterboarding, all I can say is ABORTION and especially LATE TERM ABORTION. Remember only one of these results in DEATH.

Let us not forget the values we are trying to protect. Torture dehumanizes ourselves and goes against the purpose of our country. <a href="http://www.clrvue.com">Clear View</a>

Why should we become the beast? If human life is precious and we are looking to defend it why should we treat it only as a source of information that should be extracted by any means possible. The position is too nearsighted. The long term effects of our own dehumanization are far more concerning than impending threats. This is not to diminish the threat that these people can pose but let us not forget the values we are trying to protect.

"Thye safety that our previous military campaigns left us with has resulted in a weak mind-set for many Americans."

I thought we were fighting AGAINST the people that torture? If not, what were we fighting for? What was the way of life we were preserving?

Torture is a moral issue first. Think about it in that context.

I find the pro-torture comments insightful in that the argument reduces to "standing up for what is morally right instead of being fearful and vengeful is weak, and we will insult you until you stop it".

That our citizens think like that is the true damage of the terrorists and those who mislead us in the aftermath of 9/11.

I do not believe that what our people have done to interrogate prisoners can be remotely classified as torture.....and I don't give a rats ass what happens or how it happens to those who want to hurt our people by the thousands. I think its time that our enemies become a little concerned, a little afraid of what we might do if really aggravated....

Ajshannon, you are attempting to justify torture by calling liberals "cry-babies"? I'm thinking you are the bully type...oooh pro-torture I get it. You are sick, God help us from the damage your evil causes. Turn Rush off and listen to someone with a moral compass please, you are destroying the USA much more effectively than a terrorist ever could.

THEY (AL Qaeda et all) have succeeded in bring the great American constitution to its knees !!! Constitution which said is unlawful, and should not be practiced by people from the Land of the free and home of the brave. Now all the world can see Americans are RS and murderers like the rest of them. Welcome to the 3rd world club.....

I disagree that all we care about is the efficacy of torture.

As long as those of us who think torture is a profoundly immoral, horrific act that is never justified under any circumstances stay in this cocoon of moral superiority, governments will continue to torture and their citizens will continue to turn a blind eye.

It is fear that leads a citizenry to support barbaric acts when they believe these barbaric acts will protect them. Understanding that the decisions that are made from that place of fear and terror are never efficacious decisions, is an important step toward creating a safer, more protected and more moral citizenry.

I disagree that all we care about is the efficacy of torture.

As long as those of us who think torture is a profoundly immoral, horrific act that is never justified under any circumstances stay in this cocoon of moral superiority, governments will continue to torture and their citizens will continue to turn a blind eye.

It is fear that leads a citizenry to support barbaric acts when they believe these barbaric acts will protect them. Understanding that the decisions that are made from that place of fear and terror are never efficacious decisions, is an important step toward creating a safer, more protected and more moral citizenry.

Have we softened up on torture? Define "we."

Harold A. Maio

The argument isn't whether or not torture "works." Genocide "works." Mass murder "works." Murdering one prisoner while another watches "works." The issue is: At what price to the society which performs--or condones--such acts? The major governments of the Earth agree unanimously that torture neither "works" nor is acceptable in these contexts. That view works for me.

The planner of 911 was waterboarded 300 some times, by my casual math thats about 3000 short of the number of ppl he killed. Why soft liberals think we should coddle and bottle feed cold heartless maniacal killers is beyond me. The kind of terrorist animals that we tortured would slit the throat of any of the "infidel" cry baby liberals, who are campaigning for more PC interogation methods, in a second if they were face to face with the milk fed soft liberal veel calves that alternate their weekends between pro pot and anti torture rallies.

Would someone tell Dick Chaney that he is no longer Vice President, that we voted his party out because we found it wrong on so many levels, that torture is torture, and if we say we will not use it we must not, even if (and this is a big if) it might work some of the time.
This is more than the thin edge of the wedge, proponents of waterboarding, and similarly harsh techniques are using a crow bar to dismantel American honor.