Pandora’s Box has been opened and now the political fallout is to begin. The box in question is torture. Opponents and proponents alike have their definition of torture and how best to be applied. The CIA memo’s released by the Obama Administration set the stage for conversation on torture. Liberals on the far left are screaming for heads while stark conservatives are looking for full disclosure on the success of torture methods used.
Never before in our American history has the current administration gone after the previous administration. FDR put Japanese Americans in internment camps and Abraham Lincoln suspended Habeas Corpus but neither administration following went back to persecute anyone. Why now? President Obama needs to put the topic back on point and follow Gerald Ford’s handling of President Nixon.
The topic of conversation is torture. There is no use arguing the facts as in some cases water boarding worked and other cases it did not. The question is when that fine line of harsh interrogation becomes torture. As the topic drags on, it will continue to weaken the United States and strengthen the resolve of those that wish us harm.
The CIA and other intelligence agencies is now gun shy when it comes to harsh tactics of getting the critical data needed to keep Americans safe. In his book, The Elements of Moral Philosophy, James Rachels ponders the question of Moral Theory. Although the conversation in James Rachels book does not touch on torture, much of what is discussed can be applied.
It is through justice and fairness that our society must step forward on the issue of torture. To accomplish a compromise on torture pro and con debate must take place without emotional ties and with rational thought. Using the post 9-11 rhetoric and policies as an example, emotional reaction to torture needs to be divorced from the conversation. I understand that it can be difficult to do but it needs to be done.
America cannot remain safe if a coherent and acceptable level of torture, in war and peace time, is not established. Now, I do not want to see the President or the Director of the CIA standing in front of the podium and lay out the torture levels. Americans need to have faith that methods going forward are “humane”.
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I don't understand why there needs to be a debate about it.
ReplyDeletePresident George W. Bush said, "We do not torture." Knowingly or not, that really wasn't the case, as many of the techniques used defied international definitions of torture. Nonetheless, he said it.
President Obama has made his declaration against torture as well. So have John McCain and several other Congress members. As far as I'm concerned, we do not and will not torture. No debate needed.
I think the main reason previous administrations didn't look to persecute is fairly obvious. Racial views were completely different in those times, and has only really progressed in the last 50 years or so. And both slavery and the internment camps were racially charged. Plus, by the time Lincoln was President, slavery was an institution, so there was no way he would have been able to charge anyone with anything.
Lots of books on aspects of torture came out during W's time in office. I think in order to understand why some would like to persecute, you should read the ones about the last administration. You may want to start with "Torture Team" by Philippe Sands... it's gotten some good reviews, and may give some further insight. There's also "The Torture Debate in America" by Karen Greenberg... that one might satisfy those interested in the pros and cons.
Torture is much like pornography; it’s something one recognizes when they see it. The CIA, FBI, NSA, and other intelligence agencies need to know how far they can push the envelope when interrogating people.
ReplyDeleteNow the techniques that are applied to American citizens ought not to be to the extent that they should be used on terrorist. Since, according to President Obama, “We are not at war with Islam”, the protections afforded enemy combatants per the Geneva Convention do not apply to the captured terrorists.
Thanks for the book listing’s, I was not aware the book circuit was being flooded with torture books. The fact that a number of books are hitting the market gives rise to the need for a discussion on the topic of torture. Just hope the conversation with devoid of emotion and rational thought prevails.