Has anyone heard a more insane argument in favor of torture than this one?

Question

"There are some who claim that torture is a nonissue because it never works--it only produces false information. This is simply not true, as evidenced by the many decent members of the French Resistance who, under Nazi torture, disclosed the locations of their closest friends and relatives."

From Alan Dershowitz of the Wall Street Journal:
http://opinionjournal.com/editorial/feature.html?id=110010832

So, it worked so well for the Nazis, we should do it too? What kind of reasoning is that?

First, this is an explicit statement that we should have no problem using the brutal tactics of this murderous regime that so many of our soldiers (and those of many other countries) gave their lives to defeat. Isn't America supposed to be BETTER than that?

Secondly, the Nazis LOST! Should we really be copying tactics from the losers of the last world war?

Third, our interrogators were able to get vital information from the Nazis WITHOUT sinking to their level.

What kind of person honestly thinks "It worked for the Nazis" is a good reason for us to try the same thing?

Actually, Charlie, it's NOT naive. But don't take my word for it. Ask the WWII veterans who interrogated Nazi war criminals:
http://www.crooksandliars.com/2007/10/07/wwii-veteran-nazi-interrogators-denounced-bushs-torture-techniques/

“We got more information out of a German general with a game of chess or Ping-Pong than they do today, with their torture,” said Henry Kolm, 90, an MIT physicist who had been assigned to play chess in Germany with Hitler’s deputy, Rudolf Hess.

”During the many interrogations, I never laid hands on anyone,” said George Frenkel, 87, of Kensington. “We extracted information in a battle of the wits. I’m proud to say I never compromised my humanity.”…

KSM supposedly confessed to targeting a bank that DID NOT EXIST until FOUR YEARS after he was arrested.

http://prisonplanet.com/articles/march2007/160307afterarrest.htm

I guess he also killed JR.

Waterboarding was considered torture when the Japanese used it on OUR POWs. But I guess when our leaders want to use it, that doesn't apply anymore.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/02/AR2007110201170_pf.html

Answer 1

At one of those Republican candidates 'debates' in South Carolina, Giuliani and Romney both tried to outdo each other in their support of torture. This is the most 'conservative' state in the US so both these guys tried to sound tougher than the other.

Then it was McCain's turn to talk. McCain still has some shreds of integrity left, and he couldn't condone torture, having been a victim himself. He said 'You know where waterboarding was invented? It came from the Spanish Inquisition.'

How far have we sunk as a nation when it takes unique political courage for a candidate to denounce the Spanish Inquisition?

As I've been saying for years, the GOP brings out the very worst in people.

Answer 2

Shocking is the ease in which this person makes that leap into the dark. Of course the Nazi's got some info from torture. Point is if you torture also innocent people get tortured and they will tell you all kinds of things just to make it stop. For anyone who believes in an open free society it's unacceptable to set aside the rule of law because we're dealing with bad people. No regime in History ever tortured their friends.

I've heard a lot of arguments in favor of torture and they never hold up to critical investigation but this is indeed the most insane.
" It worked so well for the Nazis, we should do it too" is one more piece of evidence in a long and growing list that proof the moral bankruptcy of the American right

Answer 3

I don't agree with torture personally. But taking a neutral perspective at what you have presented - that argument is actually somewhat sound. What the guy simply said was that the Nazis used torture and it was effective for them to get what they wanted from prisoners. He is saying that it was effective for the Nazis.

I don't really seem him imply that we should do torture too.

I'm also pretty sure the Nazis losing the war can't be based on their interrogration methods.

Answer 4

I just means that torture works, it's not advocating that we should do it, just that it works. The Nazi's also lost from various factors, the least of which was intelligence from POW's. But yes, we can get information without torture as well.

Answer 5

Well, what kind of torture are you talking about. Torture is defined differently by many individuals.
Physical torture is way wrong in my opinion, however sleep deprivation, loud noises, long days etc..I do not find nearly as bad. However, some may think sleep deprivation is torture.

Read the response below me, well stated.

Answer 6

Torture will always happen, regardless of who runs the country. It's naive to think that we can get info out of an enemy while playing 'patty cakes'.
I think torture sucks, and wish that it was never an option.
Again, torture will always happen, regardless of the laws.

Answer 7

I stand with John McClain on this issue, should this government list anything that is considered torture is should not be used. Waterboarding is not considered such right now but if it is it should be stopped. The military on the otherhand will and should continue to train with it as it is very valuable to Escape and Evasion training. Waterboarding is not nearly as dangerous as hell week is to college plebes or freshmen.

Answer 8

like it or no longer: each and every united states that has ever been in a conflict has used it. era. as far as no remember if that makes it "good" or no longer, wager what? lots of issues ensue in conflict (and in existence frequently) that at the instant are not "good." The question is ...while it relatively is used, is it needed? additionally, is it valuable? If it meets those 2 standards, i'm in desire of it relatively is occasional use. additionally, like it or no longer, the governments of alternative international locations, and our very own, will do as they please. Our evaluations interior the difficulty are moot.

Answer 9

America doesn't torture and Iran doesn't have any gays.
Isn't the world a beautiful place? All you have to do is believe whatever you are told. Life becomes SO easy then!

Answer 10

This single issue has harmed the image of the US more than anything else.
In a civilised world, ANY form of torture is NOT acceptable. Period.