Watching Torture

Tortures bad, okkk!

Some of the comments here shows that the US has the same types of sick people that the current administration tries to pretend only exist in other countries. All torture is evil, no matter the pallid justifications attempted by the sadistic that against in every culture. Thankfully, most people in America are not demented sadists, such as the torture apologists that have come out of the woodwork lately.

This story has no basis in reality. The "reporter" has no proof of what was on those tapes. He has decided to make a name for himself and obviously meet an agenda by mentioning thing he saw over 30 years ago. The CIA normally doesn't video interrogations. The tapes existence should never have been revealed. The enemy should not know our techniques. He says torture was on the tapes, no proof...just dragging the U.S. throught the mud.

You should be ashamed of yourself...pompus ASS! You accuse without proof our government of torture. You have NO PROOF!! I know the tapes were destroyed (haha no proof), maybe Pres. Bush was the second shooter on the grassy knowl?? Luckily for you there are dedicated Americans (unlike you) who risk their lives and miss their families so idiots like you don't get thrown in jail or disappear (like other countries). You are welcome from a military member. You are welcome, ASS.

I am wondering, after reading the comments, if the attitudes expressed have anything to do with the attacks on religion and especially on Christianity in our country in the last many years. Things like banning the Bible from Public schools, and being politically correct in keep people free from religious beliefs so someone will not be offended by hearing of right and wrong, etc.

I wonder how many of those who made comments could actually tell me what Biblical Christianity teaches in these situations, or if American is no longer a "Christian Nation" and this is good?

I read a Quotation once that I liked, and I think is applicable; wish I could remember by whom; perhaps someone can help? Anyhow, "America is Great because America is Good, and when America ceases to be good, she will cease to be Great." Is this not starting to happen?

This article is fiction and conjecture--- the implication is that the author knows what is on the destroyed tapes and that it is the equivalent to what he's seen in the past from other cases. Guess what? I've seen films of Nazi atrocities during WWII. That doesn't mean that all actions during all wars are equivalent. I take the CIAs statement at face value... the tapes showed sensitive information and techniques. Furthermore, the media's definition of "torture" is ridiculous. During Abu Ghraib, the media referred to having ridiculous pictures taken of prisoners as torture- while it is completely unprofessional and should have been punished accordingly, silly pictures and compromising positions are far preferable to 'amputation of all limbs'. Or beheading ala Daniel Pearl. Or, any other conduct being used against the US on a daily basis. One last thought: NO terrorist attacks since 9/11.

Many are missing the point here. This isn't an article about taking sides - it's an article about how serious torture is. Regardless of if and when and where and how and to what extent it's used (be it as the reporter himself experienced, waterboarding, or whatever actually transpired in those tapes), the point is that we should treat the use of torture very seriously and not let ourselves become complacent and apathetic when politicians and the media attempt to lessen the impact of it by their use of anasthetic vocabulary. Nothing should ever be swept under the rug. In a civilized, democratic society, whether we condone the use of torture or not, WE as a people need to come to a consensus on EXACTLY how we stand and not let it be controlled by a handful of elitists that destroy tapes and sweep the details under the rug. We need transparency, and we need to decide as a whole, do we want torture or not? If we do, how much is okay? How much evidence do we need before subjecting someone to it? The only thing that is certain is that we can't allow for the possibility that potentially innocent or at least semi-innocent people are being dismembered or worse without our knowledge and without our consent....enough said.

To all the RangerBill(s): Why do you always resort to personal attacks? Your argument is absurd. Most parents do help pay for college. Isn't that what we celebrate in America -- the freedom and bounty we have. Have your parents provided nothing for you? Perhaps that's why you come across so cynical and bitter. Plus, what difference does it make. Do you apply the same "silver spoon" standard to Bush or Cheney.

We could do a tit for tat thing here and I could say that perhaps your parents could have offered you an education so that you might have a broader education to use as a resource in making your absurd points. But, you're too easy of a target. It's so tired to use labels like "intellects" and "liberals" to villify someone. Next time you pray -- think about who you're praying to. I think Jesus wouldn't approve of torture or war or the way we are conducting ourselves as a nation.

What kind of society are we creating when we villify someone for being caring "bleeding heart liberals" and we rationalize beating up or killing someone for information. Seems like we took Saddam out for the same tactics. What hypocrisy!

When did education and compassion become a bad "liberal" sensibility? I thought they were noble human attributes. Step back and try to objectively look at your argument -- it's shockingly disturbing.

I really DO care. My ethics and morals say that torture is wrong. I have a grip - a grip on a reality that does not include incessant revenge warfare. What is America if not the ideals of freedom and lawful process written in the constitution? That is the America I would like to see held up as THE example of freedom. Torture has no place in a free America.

I hate Newsweek. Way to jump the gun and outright call them 'torture tapes'. Then to imply those tapes are as brutal as those you witnessed decades ago. We caught the man that planned 9/11 in Pakistan years ago. He was waterboarded and broke in a minute. He gave up a tremendous amount of information. If forces had shot him dead because he drew a weapon apon his capture that would have been legal as it would have been in self defense. But what do we do in self defense when captured people have information that can and will harm us? Should we have politely asked him to give us information that could have saved lives? Torture is wrong, but as of now there is NO proof that what was on those tapes constituted torture and there were members of both parties and members of the govt that viewed and 'ok'ed their destruction. For you to call them 'torture tapes' and compare them to acts of inhumane brutal bloodetting and physical pain is grossly irresponsible.

Reading articles like this makes me sick to my stomach. All the bleedin heart liberals in this country who are worried about the "rights" of terrorists who's sole purpose is to destroy our way of life. I'm tired of hearing how the interrogation techniques are "not fair", cruel, and unusual punishment. What was fair about the innocent Americans who were beheaded with a knife by these a--holes and the video published on the Internet? What was fair about the hundreds of innocent victims in the Twin Towers who lost their lives on 9/11. I think all the people who think that using alternative methods of interrogating terrorists (and I would venture to say that the majority of them are KNOWN terrorists) move over to Iraq or Iran and see how long they last. I'm thankful that we have men and women in the military who are willing to go over there and fight for our freedoms.

The true terrorists are in the white house.