Should Terrorists Be Tortured?

I know this will be a very controversial post but here goes.


Apparently most or all of the convicted or captured terrorists aren't talking. Yet it is absolutely vital that the free world gain information about remaining terrorist leaders and operatives worldwide. The potential threats posed by these well-financed and organized fanatics cannot be overestimated. They are scattered over the entire world in secret terrorist "cells," waiting only for the order to attack.


Should the information-gathering process be accelerated by torture/interrogation of known or convicted terrorists? Let us realize that information is by far the most important part of preventing future terrorist attacks such as the tragedies of 9/11/01. Identification of terrorist "sleepers" in our own and other countries, by captured terrorists, would enable the FBI and INS to take a closer look at individuals they may not even know exist.


Certainly the idea of torturing terrorists is contrary to what we view as an enlightened society and turns the stomach as well. However, so does the thought of another 9/11 incident, mass biological warfare or a strike on one of our nuclear power plants which could be like another Chernobyl disaster. Not to mention the very real possibility of a true nuclear bomb being smuggled into the country (probably by bribing drug smugglers to carry it in with their loads), and later detonated in one of our largest cities.


I'm not sure what to think about this idea. On one hand I would be quite afraid of abuses, and it would have a psychologically brutalizing effect on society. If however it were used only on convicted terrorists then perhaps the information gained would greatly aid in bringing down the worldwide terrorist rings or help prevent another great tragedy such as 9/11.


The war we are now fighting against terrorism may turn out to be every bit as important as World War II. Many of today's terrorists are committed to bringing down the free world through any and all means necessary. It's not just the Palestinian problem or the presence of US troops in Saudi Arabia that they are against. They are against freedom, democracy, and the entire way of life of the Western, non-Islamic world, and they intend to destroy it and us by any means they can find.


So I am uncertain, but I don't think torture/interrogation of terrorists should necessarily be ruled out without being considered. The information gained might well stop the next 9/11 disater, or worse. On the other hand, strict safeguards would have to be in place to prevent abuses. Perhaps the public could never "swallow" this, and the only way would be through covert military operations--it is known that such techniques have been used by the military of many countries around the world in the past.


So while I am still unsure, I don't think sparing the pain of a few terrorists is nearly as important as preventing the next 9/11. My biggest fears about allowing such things would be the potential for abuses, and the potential harms to our civil rights which might never recover.

certainly those that have not been convicted have the same rights as us even if people dont like the idea. they have the right and should of course use that right not to talk without advice from their attorney. if the govt. wants info from them it can get it by granting immunity. thats how our system works, and it does.

those that have been convicted have the same rights but can be offered incentives to talk. if they dont thats the rub of the green.

what the cia does behind closed doors is another thing. we close our eyes to and concone when in in our best so called interests.

Yes, that's how it works in our country, but what about in the overseas war? What if the CIA instead of the Army or the Rangers manages to capture or kidnap a few terrorists. What happens then? I'm not sure I really want to know, but the more I reflect on it, the more it seems that the unimaginable worst for those few guys might also be the best for the rest of the world.


What a world. Not just in the negative sense but in the sense that almost anything is possible.

M,


It was a widely held belief that Tim Mcveigh had collaborators. Mcveigh was sentenced to death by lethal injection. Would it have been such a crime against humanity if instead of a lethal injection they "mistakenly" injected him with truth serum? Let him talk a little ask him a few questions then let him die.

I agree with your last sentence. The rest is B.S. These aren't drug dealers we're dealing with. They are people who have committed an act of war against the United States of America.


Granting immunity? Tell me you're kidding.

Absolutely. We should also round up their mother's and children and put them in the next room if necessary.


This is not some crime we're trying to solve. This is war. America ought to be ready to do what it takes to win. If you think they wouldn't use similar procedures, you're kidding yourself.

"If you think they wouldn't use similar procedures, you're kidding yourself."


Which is what makes our way of life worth fighting for and theirs so disgusting. If we lowered ourselves to their level, then I wouldn't care who wins.

"Which is what makes our way of life worth fighting for and theirs so disgusting. If we lowered ourselves to their level, then I wouldn't care who wins."


Spoken like someone who obviously never saw a day of combat in his life and probably never even served in his country's own military.


Do you even know what WAR is? Do you have any idea what those before you had to endure in previous wars so your soft lilly ass can enjoy the "way of life" that's so precious to you now? War is hell, friend. Even in peace time we're engaged in covert ops that you wouldn't want to know about. But they help keep your "way of life" going even if you are oblivous to the necessary evils of the world.


You keep treating the enemy like their a bunch of bicycle thieves and that precious "way of life" of yours may gone forever. But hey... At least we didn't lower ourselves to their level. Give me a break!

How do you know whether or not I saw combat or served in the military? Because I'm against torture? What difference would it make if I saw combat or not? Are only those who were in combat or the military entitled to be citizens and have opinions? Can only chickens recognize eggs?


The United States has never treated its enemies like "bicycle thieves." and I don't think President Bush and Secrretary Rumsfeld are doing it now.


Should we take some planes and fly them into our enemies' buildings? How should we torture them? Branding irons in their eyes? Chop of their children's fingers one at a time while we force them to watch?


Give me a break and try to remember what it is we're fighting for.

"How do you know whether or not I saw combat or served in the military? Because I'm against torture?"


I regretted this comment as soon as I wrote it. I left it in because I believe it to be true. Not having military or combat experience doesn't mean you are not entitled to an opinion, but it does mean that you're opinion is unlikely to be helpful when it comes to such matters.


"The United States has never treated its enemies like "bicycle thieves." and I don't think President Bush and Secrretary Rumsfeld are doing it now."


But you are suggesting that we treat them as criminals, right? Strictly above board. Make sure their civil liberties are protected, are treated in a humane manner, blah, blah, blah. I won't speak for love, but anything is fair in war. You do what's necessary for survival. Sometimes it's a choice between the lesser of two evils, but you do what you must to make sure the objective or best outcome is met. How humane would it have been to shoot down and kill innocent passengers not even knowing if there were children aboard the hijacked flight which went down in Pittsburgh? What about their families, etc. But you should be glad someone in the chain of command had the backbone to issue such an order, even if you yourself could not have.


"How should we torture them? Branding irons in their eyes? Chop of their children's fingers one at a time while we force them to watch?"


Answering this question only furthers your cause to cry over a lack of decency, but whatever needs to be done to reduce our own collateral damages while benefitting us in the war, should be done.