Why did the US risk its international reputation on something as stupid and unnecessary as torture?

Question

The US Army Intelligence Field Manual on Intelligence Interrogation states:

[T]he use of force is a poor technique, as it yields unreliable results, may damage subsequent collection efforts, and can induce the source to say whatever he thinks the interrogator wants to hear.
http://www.globalsecurity.org/intell/library/policy/army/fm/fm34-52/chapter1.htm

Why risk the obvious political damage for something that America’s own intelligence experts say is worthless? And, why continue trying to defend and justify it when the whole world knows that such arguments are intellectually dishonest?

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Pancakes

It is not just the undeveloped world; it is also countries that traditionally have been our friends. And, let’s see if you feel that way after we are attacked again.

In order to prevent future terrorist attacks, we need reliable and timely intelligence information from all countries (Don’t forget that both Syria and Iran provided us with information that allowed us to pin 9/11 on OBL and track him to Afghanistan.) Absent that knowledge, we are blind in seeing what is coming. That is why it matters.
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clw13, and others –

There is no intelligence, military, or security advantage to be gained through torture. The fact that you do not even try to argue otherwise suggests that you support torture just because you like it and see nothing wrong with it. How is that any different from the view of Islamic terrorists?
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tinker thinker -

That is not true, even according to the intelligence officers who interrogated KSM.

•But is that true? In recent interviews with NEWSWEEK reporters, U.S. intelligence officers say they have little—if any—evidence that useful intelligence has been obtained using techniques generally understood to be torture. It is clear, for instance, that Al Qaeda operations chief Khalid Shaikh Mohammed (KSM) was subjected to harsh interrogation techniques, including waterboarding. But they haven’t panned out as all that threatening: one such plot was a plan by an Al Qaeda operative to cut down the Brooklyn Bridge—with a blow torch. Intelligence officials could never be sure if KSM was holding back on more serious threats, or just didn’t know of any.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14924664/site/newsweek/
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LeAnne –

Again, not true.

A year before the attempted multiple airline bombing plan was stopped, a British citizen of Arab ancestry went to the police with information about the group. Armed with that information, British police were able to infiltrate the group and, thus, stop it.

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Answer 1

The United States is being run by insane Republicans bent on power and money. Just like a bank robber beats up the bank manager to open the safe; the Republicans beat on the American people with threats and ignorance.

Answer 2

OK, let's think about your question for a moment.

First off, if the information gained by torture were unreliable, this wouldn't even be a controversial topic - simply because torture wouldn't be used by any country. After all, nobody wants to go through all that hassle for unreliable intelligence.

When the Saudis "questioned" a terror suspect in Saudi Arabia, he gave up all the names of an Islamic terror cell in London, England. The suspects were subsequently arrested in London - just prior to implementing their plans to blow up two commercial jetliners over the Atlantic. I really don't think the terrorist in Saudi Arabia gave this information up during casual conversation over a hot meal and a glass of wine. So much for "unreliable."

It is good to try and stay the on the high moral ground, but when the lives of thousands of innocent men, women and children are balanced against the human rights of a terrorist - I just don't see the dilemma.

And, personally, I think one must at least first act human to be deserving of human rights. The indiscriminate murder of innocent people to further ones agenda is a questionable human characteristic at best.

Unfortunately, the terrorists understand only the sword, and not the pen.

Answer 3

I have been tortured here in the United States by Military Spy planes
and helicopter out of NAS Jacksonville. I have had lasers and pulse radiation weapons shoot at me on US soil by our black ops linked to The Joint Staff/ commander in chief. The regime of Bush-Cheney follows no laws. The are the law. This information has been given to the Department of Justice in Jacksonville, Florida. Along with the military 189 corporations have been listed as conspirators as proxies of the US government hacking my computer for information and causing damage. I have losed eye sight and heart wires due to this torture.

Answer 4

Why have you not asked the Terrorists this same Question?
Ask Iran, Korea, Syria, or the United Nations.

Answer 5

International reputation? The only reputation that counts to 3rd world nations is the value of the dollar.

Answer 6

It worked on Kaleid Muhammad. And maybe others you are not privileged to know about.

Answer 7

Maybe the just wanted a little payback.

Answer 8

The only "torture" is reading the stupid questions and answers from the commie libs!