Do you believe that America can maintain the right to use torture to obtain information vital to the safety of its citizens? Say for example that your family is in grave danger and an individual in US custody has information which can save them from this situation. This same individual may also be at least, partly to blame for this situation. They do not wish to cooperate with the authorities and are unable to be bribed. Would you desire the US government to implement torture to obtain the necessary information to save the lives of your family? Why or why not?
2006-10-23 05:20:07 · 17 answers · asked by You Ask & I Answer!!! 4 in Politics & Government ➔ Other - Politics & Government
Save my family? How can they know if the information they get is the correct- how can they know for sure if he "the terrorist" was directly involved with whatever was happening to my family?
More likely it would be a case of "Look, we can do nothing to save your family, but lets torture this guy to make you feel better."
This is a tricky question in the way it was formulated. Family is more important than values, freedom of speech or any of that. How many of us would not want any number of unknown people tortured in order to have a better chance for their family?
2006-10-23 05:29:56 · answer #1 · answered by dane 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If America has the right to use torture, then so does any other country out there. We have signed treaties to say we would not use torture to get information. There have also been studies done that say physical torture does not work. I for one would rather see mental manipulation or psychological torture. In these cases the person may be humiliated, threatened, or worse, but nothing is actually done to them physically.
And realistically, what information could we possibly be gaining from the detanees in Guantanomo Bay? They've been there for almost 5 years. Would they know where Osama is now? Do you really think keeping someone hostage for that long will get you the answers? The fanatical Muslims believe that if they die in this war they go straight to heaven. They believe they will be rewarded for their sufferings. So do you think by torturing them we'll actually get anything? I don't see it happening.
2006-10-23 12:33:01 · answer #2 · answered by queenoftheworld 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Supposedly what makes our country great is being equal opportunity at least under the law. While non citizens are not necessarily granted all the rights under those laws, we did sign the articles of the second Geneva Convention and we're bound by them.
Here's an argument I haven't heard yet: "how reliable is the information gained under torture?" If some one was hurting me, I'd tell them whatever I thought they wanted to hear.
2006-10-23 12:27:20 · answer #3 · answered by nursesr4evr 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Torture in it's truest form is not right. However, there is no black and white definition of what torture is. Some believe extreme physical or mental harm are forms of torture, while some others believbe simply being held against your will is a form of torture. So in my opinion, it would really come down to what kind of torture you would be referring to.
If it is holding someone and making them listen to rave music, I would say that is not really torture, but if you said ripping someone fingernials out, then i would say, no that is wrong and should not be done.
2006-10-23 12:24:18 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
We need a Database that the Police and Military can use to see if someone that is kidnapped approves of tortured. If voted NO then the rescuers just ask questions to try and find out where the victim is. Otherwise just put the suspect in jail or let him go if no proof can be found.
2006-10-23 12:31:07 · answer #5 · answered by answer man 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
"Torture" is a non-specific term.
And that's why you see it used so much by the Weak Sisters; rather than specify a particular technique used by the security services and argue against that technique they prefer to use a generic term that means different things to different audiences.
That way they can be perceived by the indifferent and the ignorant as making serious points when, in fact, their only purpose is to weaken our system from within.
Stop saying "torture" and say what you mean!
2006-10-23 12:24:44 · answer #6 · answered by Walter Ridgeley 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No. Not only is it aberrant to human principles which we claim is the mainstay of our society, but. pragmatically, it has been established that information extracted through torture is notoriously wrong and inaccurate.
2006-10-23 12:27:21 · answer #7 · answered by ElOsoBravo 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
100% yes. You said it, this person is likely involved. We need to sacrafice one to save hundreds, thousands, even millions. I'm sick of people complaining about this country. If you hate it so much, why are you still here???? Go live in Iraq or some country in Africa and see how well you'd do there.
2006-10-23 12:23:32 · answer #8 · answered by Jamie T 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
American laws and the Geneva convention say no. President Bush says yes and is permitting it. I am not in the situation you describe and have never been. Thank God. I don't know what I would do.
2006-10-23 12:24:42 · answer #9 · answered by BUPPY'S MEME 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are "legal" ways of torture which are legal...or the Psychological torture...
Physical torture is against US beliefs and morals.
2006-10-23 12:24:29 · answer #10 · answered by Swan Male 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋