Your views?

[Figleaf]

pp

Edited July 18, 2007 by Figleaf

[M.Dancer]

Please feel free to write at length about how stupid this poll is. I love those comments.

Okay, here's my take on torture.

To the hard man torture makes him harder, to the weak man torture will make him say anything you want him to say. But it won't necessarily make him say what you need him to say; in other words if you don't know what it is he needs to say, you might not get it.

On the other hand, there is an expression: Beat the dog in front of the lion. In other words if there are two people who have information (and you need it FAST) beat the crap out of the one who is the least value, and make sure the one who you think knows hears every blood curdling scream.

I won't be so self righteous to say that torture is wrong in every circumstance. If we knew there was an imminent attack on civilians and we have one peice of the puzzle and no time to lose....I have no difficulty morally accepting that harsh interrogation techniques....I would waste no more tears over that than I would if a police sniper shot and killed a hostage taker.

But I would not give blanket approval for long term abuse that has no immediate urgency. To those who would be tortured (I'm talking about terrorists and mutual funds salesmen), bread, water and a damp cell would be enough.

[Figleaf]

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Edited July 18, 2007 by Figleaf