2007-11-15 12:50:53 · 8 answers · asked by phillyfan11 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
That is a liberal point of view. I think it can be very effective.
2007-11-15 12:55:31 · answer #1 · answered by The Voice of Reason 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For the same reason why pulling out someone's fingernails, beating them with a bat, pinning their eyelids open with an intense spotlight shining on them, running electrical current through their gonads and sexually assaulting someone is bad.
It's torture. If you're fine with torture, then I guess it's not bad, but torture is just that, no matter who it is administering it, and who it's being done to.
For those who think it's okay because we're the "good guys," I say actions speak louder than words. We're only the good guys if we don't act like scum. Torturers are scum.
For those who say it's okay because the others are bad guys and deserve it, that's how much of the world, right or wrong, feels about us now. Do we really want to set the precedent that if someone doesn't like the other person, that torture is okay?
For those who claim it's okay because it gets the job done, the experts in interrogation and law enforcement disagree. Torture does not get the job done because it's unreliable. There's often no way to tell the difference between someone spilling the beans under torture, or someone who is making crap up that they think will make you stop torturing them. Much time and valuable resources are then lost chasing down bad leads. I'd probably confess to having possession of Hitler's brain if I was waterboarded. What value does that information have?
Since we're dealing with people who watch too much TV, here's a couple of famous movie clips that are probably more realistic...
... "is it safe?"
2007-11-15 21:18:39 · answer #2 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your body forces you to breathe.
Lungs were made to take in air, not water. It feels something like having a thousands cats scratching inside your lungs.
Your body goes into complete panicky "I'm dieing now" mode, which is terrifying.
Then they let you breathe, and do it again.
And again.
And again.
For hours.
EVERY day. Hours and hours of excrucitating pain and horrifying panic and immenent death.
And they have you forever. As far as you know, this is your life for the rest of your life.
That's why.
No human being thinks it's an acceptable thing to do.
Nor does it yield information. That's not its purpose; it's purpose is to inspire terror.
Yup! It's a form of terrorism.
And most of the people we've been torturing weren't even guilty of anything. We've actually tortured people to death for, for example, driving a cab that contained terrorists. The guards who murdered him knew he wasn't a terrorist, and knew nothing of the terrorists.
That's not the point.
It's all about terror.
2007-11-15 22:03:52 · answer #3 · answered by tehabwa 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is considered a form of torture (as per international community and the United Nations). Studies have demonstrated that when torture is applied to detainees (e.g. water boarding, light deprivation etc), many fabricate information as a means of ending the torture (i.e. pain).
Hence the reason why the UN states that no evidence can EVER be collect via the means of torture (questions the validity)!
2007-11-15 20:57:06 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Because if makes the terrorists talk and save American lives.
I thought that was a good thing, but too many bleeding hearts care more about the terrorists than the USA.
2007-11-15 20:55:41 · answer #5 · answered by OldmanB 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It's suffocation as a form of coercion.
Just as distasteful as beating or strangulation.
Not excusable just because it leaves no marks.
2007-11-15 21:10:23 · answer #6 · answered by Irv S 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because it can make people confess to ANYTHING to stop it.
2007-11-15 21:55:23 · answer #7 · answered by hq3 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
thats a matter of opinion.
I do not see anything wrong with its use
2007-11-15 20:53:18 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋