2006-09-15 11:58:55 · 44 answers · asked by Everand 5 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
No. Information obtained from tortured prisoners is tenuous at best. A tortured person will tell you anything you want to hear to make it stop. The other issue is our reputation, both at home and abroad. Torture isn't what the US is supposed to be about.
We have signed the Geneva Convention and presented ourselves as the beacon of democracy, freedom, and individual rights - none of which is in line with torture.
2006-09-23 11:03:04 · answer #1 · answered by Scott K 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Do you want a simplistic answer. The Geneva convention was to get better treatment for the allies prisoners. it doesn't appear in a terrorist war that will happen. Today's war seems to be about conversion by the sword. I doubt the "true believers" would crack even under torture, but for sure they won't over milk & cookies. Some maybe like "Jack Bauer" won't break under any torture. The question then comes down to how important is the information you believe they know.
Are you willing to live with the consequences if by tortured, you could of stop 911. It will always be a judgement call for each event. I know this isn't politically correct, but the world is only Black & white in faritails
2006-09-22 16:20:34 · answer #2 · answered by viablerenewables 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Tough question and not smoething I cant say yes or no difinitively.
But I am leaning yes. As a country, we have the duty to protect ourselves before protecting others. Secondly, if the prisoners knew that we had a weakness of not torturing people, then they are more resolved in not answering. The point of torture is, 1 to inflict pain, and 2, the give the feel that we will do anything to get what we want.
On the other hand, i do feel bad if someone innocent was tortured just to make sure we got everything out of him. I would say, it would depend on what was at stake.
2006-09-15 12:02:16 · answer #3 · answered by leikevy 5 · 2⤊ 2⤋
One must also consider; no where in history has the enemy abided by the rules of war.. then we have a new kind of enemy that is not even representative of any country.. The Geneva accord doesn't really apply anyway. Further, what kind of torture have you been exposed to on TV and blog,with beheadings etc. We would be the only country or group that would be sincerely following those rules, even when they are as non-specific as they are.
2006-09-23 10:12:54 · answer #4 · answered by mrcricket1932 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you torture someone whom you think has vital information and they actually don't, their going to say anything!! Torture doesn't work, although I'd say a lot of it goes on, no matter whether it's allowed or not... I'm sure with all the technology we have today there has to be other ways & you have to remember that your talking about prisoners of war, no matter what they should be treated proper!....
2006-09-23 03:46:11 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Torture should never be used on anyone.
There is no secondary moral algebra of laws and soldiery. It is the most profound of wrongs in every case. There are many worse things than dying. Becoming a torturer of other people is one of those things.
2006-09-15 13:29:17 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
No! Not physical!
We generally find what we need on the person or on the battlefield! A person being tortured will usually tell you anything, which isn't accurate, or they will die!
Though torture is illegal, it should NEVER be used on a DETAINEE as they are not POW's and they have not been charged!
What would your view be on the torture of US military officers being held captive in North Vietnam?
2006-09-15 12:14:10 · answer #7 · answered by cantcu 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Honestly would you really and truly want to know? Ignorance is bliss. This method of "extracting information" is by no means a new invention. Sadly we do not live in Utopia nor does anyone else on the globe for that matter.
You just can't have it both ways.
2006-09-22 16:19:56 · answer #8 · answered by zoerayne023 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
My question to this is what do you consider torture? Were our soldiers wrong to take degrading pictures of POW's? YES. Were our soldiers wrong to put what some people consider a holy book (Koran) in the toilet? Yes....... Is this torture? NO torture is when they cut our soldiers heads off on T.V. We have enemy combatants hiding and firing from behind women and children.The Geneva Convention should be suspended when ever we fight a country that does not subscribe to it. That way the rules are the same for everyone. Sorry for the rant but this just bugs me.
2006-09-15 12:11:47 · answer #9 · answered by wwclark 3 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Torture does not elicit accurate information and it opens American troops up for the same kind of treatment.
One the one hand we are told by Monkeyboy Bush that we don't torture, but, on the other hand, our rigorous questioning has prevented plots against us. (But we can't tell you what those plots were....classified.)
It is time for Congress to act like they have some nads and stand up to the Christofascist that is in the white house.
2006-09-15 12:12:43 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋