Why does the US torture?

Question

I'm writing an essay and one of the aspects it deals with is torture. I found a lot of things in my research, but I didn't find the answer I needed: Why does the US torture. I've contemplated this question for some time, but just couldn't get the answer. People have suggested that it's for legitimacy or intimidation but I don't think that's quite right. Sure it might be the motivation for it in some totalitarian countries, but the US isn't quite there yet. In 1984, Orwell said that The Party tortures to brainwash the citizens into adhering to the doctrines of the party, but again, I think that's for more "developed" police states. Please, I don't need anyone trying to defend the CIA or Bush, or trying to legitimize it, professing the merits of torture; I just wanted to know if anyone here had the answer to my question.

NOTE: I don't need to know does US torture, how it tortures, where it tortures, etc. As the title stated, I need to know WHY.

Answer 1

It never ceases to amaze me the way so many people will not look at the truth even when it is there in front of them, as plain as the nose on your face.
From most of the responses to this question it is clear that people will delude themselves at great lengths just to avoid an unpalatable truth that they may have to take some responsibility for.

Fact: The US officially endorses, uses and exports torture and reserves the right to take whatever means it deems necessary, against whoever it pleases and for whatever reason, to achieve its goals.

Answer 2

From what I've heard, torture is a pretty bad way to get good information. In intelligence and military circles, gaining the trust and friendship of the person your trying to get information from usually gives much better results. Torture, on the other hand, seems to work much better for getting someone to say whatever it is you want to hear. Say, for instance, you wanted to convince the American people that invading Iraq was necessary because Saddam Husein had W.M.D.s or close ties with Al-Qaida but you had no proof or corroboration. Simply let an Iraqi detainee or prisoner know your trying to establish these stories as facts then torture him until he tells you they are. There's your corroboration. You can now go before the American people and tell them you have proof of W.M.D.s or connections between Saddam and Ossama even though you really don't.

Answer 3

I note that you do not want any defense of the pres.or agency's that may be using torture. You however do not attempt to likewise prohibit condemnation of those entities or persons.This reflects the accepted popular blame game traditionally played by the reality avoiding academic world.Despite the real probability that they would be tortured or executed first( see Pol Pot)should our current antagonist succeed.
We face a cruel hard decision when we are in control of a person that may be in possession of information that may save the lives of our countrymen (families)and those that are our allies.
Do we risk the moral "high ground"??? In a fight for survival there are no rules and the presidents moral issues do not weigh enough on the scale against the national interest. You must understand that the president no matter his name is sworn above all else to preserve and protect the nation and that is why, if need be he must be willing to unleash against those who have sworn to subjugate us to a religious or political ideology by brutal force and intimidation all the forces and methodologies available.
Save our lives now, apologize later.

Answer 4

As your first answerer said, sanctioned "torture" (and I only use that word because you do) by representatives of the US is #1 not as common as you seem to think, and when it is done, it is specifically for the purpose of extracting critical information regarding our enemies...not for the entertainment of their interrogators.

I hope you are carefully defining what you call torture. Frankly, other countries would laugh at what many in America call torture...keeping people awake, standing for prolonged hours, even humiliation, etc.

You can't stop the wrongful acts of individual people...that will always happen, I'm afraid. But prisoner abuse for any other reason is NOT sanctioned in the US and if/when it occurs, the perpetrators are punished.

Answer 5

What torture, We are one of the most gently of Countries towards prisoners.

Answer 6

The American taxpayers are definitely being tortured. We see our government treating invaders in our country with special programs at our expense. We send billions of dollars in aid to countries who steal it from their citizens. We send our troops to save lives and protect people that want to kill us. I feel the pain.

Answer 7

W.W.J.T. =Who Would Jesus Torture? All these so called Christians that support this administration need to ask this question.

Answer 8

The US does not use traditional torture like our enemies in Iraq have used against us. The most controversial interrogation technique the US uses is water boarding, which only gives the questioned the sensation that they are about to drown. Agree with it or not, most of the detainees live better at Guantanamo than they have ever had in their lives. On the other hand that same detainee would happily cut your throat.

Answer 9

Watch 24. Because it works.

Answer 10

there is a very interesting documentary that was done byHBO
called stories from al-bugraid.

it talks about all the evil things that the Americans troops did to people from Irak all of these under the orders of donald ronsvellt and bush i think this documentary will provide a lot
of good information for your essay.
when i saw it my conclution was that the U.S as an empire is no different from the others that were in power before.
is a good one you should watch it