Does McCain acurately present the military's view on torture?

Question

Or, what percentage of US military support McCain, and what percentage support more extreme methods?

Here are some quotes about him from an article today:

“One of the things that kept us going when I was in prison in North Vietnam was that we knew that if the situation were reversed, that we would not be doing to our captors what they were doing to us,” [McCain] said.
[….]

“I want to tell you. Rudy Giuliani, Fred Thompson and Mitt Romney all think it is O.K.,” Mr. McCain told the diners in Boone. “They have one thing in common. They don’t understand the military and the culture of this nation. If they did, they could never condone such behavior.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/16/us/politics/15cnd-mccain.html?ex=1352869200&en=73fdf47bcf1916b9&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

On the campaign trail, Mr. McCain does not dwell on the personal details of his five and a half years as a prisoner of war, the “torture ropes” in which he was bound day and night, or the beatings..

Answer 1

McCain has a lot more personal experience with torture than I do (by the grace of God go I!) so I will take his word for it on this subject. I think the terrorist vs. regular soldier argument is a bit of a fudge in a lot of cases. Given that the Minutemen had no uniforms, did that give the Redcoats the right to torture them? I'm not comparing Minuteman to Taliban, I'm just saying that the idea you can treat a combatant any way you like just because he doesn't have a uniform is utterly stupid.

Answer 2

Honestly being retired from the military and a Vietnam veteran; it is a question that does tear at me. On one side torturing a prisoner is not right and should not be done, I actually think the difinition of torture used by some is silly-in my opinion keeping them awake and physchological efforts I would not normally consider torture I am talking about the physical abuse and inflicting pain. The North Vietnamese with the Chinese and Cuban helpers they had often tortured for the sake of inflicting pain and abuse-a man help captive for a year or more does not know any immediate up to date military information so the only purpose was to break them or inflict pain for no reason. I also must admit that if there was a prisoner that had information that would save the lives of the personnel in my unit and it was necessary to have that immediate information I am not sure what limits would be observed. The key word there is immediate; if my unit was trapped and facing being wiped out and had a prisoner we had just taken who knew a safe route I think it would be a very different line or situation. Part of this debate is also trying to use the definition of a civil prisoner, a criminal in the U.S. and that standard of protection to apply to a Prisoner of War is not a legal or Geneva Convention standatd. Most criminals in the U.S. live a much more protected and comfortable existence then most other criminals in prison in other countries; so what constitutes torture is the first definition that has to be decided internationally not nationally or locally. I do agree that water boarding is torture, physical abuse, sexual abuse, unnecssary restraning/tying up and physical attacks are torture. Sleep deprivation, not having comfortable beds, air conditioning, over crowding, and so on is not.

Answer 3

I support McCain on his belief that there should not be torture. However, I will not be voting Republican this election. There really shouldn't be a debate if we should torture prisoners or not. It is against Genega Convention. Here's an excerpt from that:

Article 3

In the case of armed conflict not of an international character occurring in the territory of one of the High Contracting Parties, each party to the conflict shall be bound to apply, as a minimum, the following provisions:

1. Persons taking no active part in the hostilities, including members of armed forces who have laid down their arms and those placed hors de combat by sickness, wounds, detention, or any other cause, shall in all circumstances be treated humanely, without any adverse distinction founded on race, colour, religion or faith, sex, birth or wealth, or any other similar criteria.

To this end the following acts are and shall remain prohibited at any time and in any place whatsoever with respect to the above-mentioned persons:

(a) Violence to life and person, in particular murder of all kinds, mutilation, cruel treatment and torture;

The Geneva Convention was adopted in 1949. The military has been teaching the Geneva Convention to its soldiers for years. If a soldier went against the geneva convention, they could be punished and probably would be. Why can't we punish those that gave orders to use torture ....like ...for example,......our President?

Anyways, I thank Senator McCain for his military service and for what he has done for our country. As long as he is still a Republican and not conservative enough, then he will not get my vote.

I had been Republican for years but now, our country needs somebody conservative. Bush has ruined it for the Republican party.

Answer 4

in the process the Presidential marketing campaign, Obama reported that he might have a sparkling government. Breaking this promise, he's now against freeing photos of torture with the aid of the yankee militia. Regardless, if in factor of reality bitter and grotesque, individuals are entitled to understand the full reality, stable or undesirable. Censorship isn't the perfect answer in a loose society. a central authority that would not opt to bare what it has completed, isn't an elementary government. sure, that is unhappy, and each now and then the reality hurts, yet that does no longer mean that the reality must be suppressed.

Answer 5

Senator McCain does not speak for the military. I have a great deal of respect for his military service and his stamina as a North Viet Nam POW.
The enemy we are now fighting are not uniformed members of an organized army, they do not fight by the boundaries set forth by the Geneva Convention.
They are terrorists, willing to kill women, children, and non-combantants with bombs or any other method. They even cut the throat of captives.
Using mild, non-pernament methods to gain information about their activities is just a matter of self preservation for our troops and ultimately our country.
The enemy knows no bounds and will do anything to kill Americans. We did not fly airplanes into building in their cities, they deliberatley killed civilians.

Answer 6

I'll second the sickening statement above.

I really don't know the answer to your question, but I do know that McCain certainly reflects MY view of torture.

I know that if I spank your feet long enough that you will admit to raping your own mother. (or splash a little water on a rag)

Answer 7

I would never torture another military man. We are of a kind. Terrorist are not military men. They have no honor. F@ckem! Blessed Be

Answer 8

Cant speak for the military..... but just the fact that our government is debating which forms of torture are OK...is sickening

Answer 9

They should have the tickle-torture, where they tickle Islamic fascists into revealing the location of terrorist camps.