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I'm wondering what people think about the following hypothetical scenario:
Let's say that a high ranking military sergeant is in Iraq. He's among those who plan the actions of the military and know the details about future strikes in Iraq. The Iraqi government wants to know what the Americans are planning so that they can protect their people and buildings from bombings and other things that can cause harm.
So in hopes of finding out what the plans are they set out to capture the sergeant and detain him, which they manage to do. They interrogate the sergeant but he refuses to say anything. The sergeant is a tough and patriotic guy who believes in the mission and will not give any info to the enemy.
So the Iraqi agents decide to use some harsher methods hoping to get him to crack. They start forcing him to stand for very long periods of time. They prevent him from sleeping for 5-6 days straight only giving him minimal food. They blast him with extremely loud noises and hostile treatment. The sergeant is in bad shape but not cracking. So the Iraqi agents decide to take the next step. They start water boarding which is done by pouring water on someone's face to create the sensation of being about to drown.
After doing this several times and continuing food and sleep deprivation the sergeant finally breaks down and gives the agents information about planned attacks. As a result the attacks are stopped and no harm is done.
Do you think the treatment of the sergeant was justified since it was done to get information about attacks? Are the Iraqis well within their rights to do this in order to protect Iraqi lives and property? Do you think the treatment the sergeant endured is torture?
I'd be really curious to know what people think about these things.
In short, we would have to have no problem w/ it. Or in any future war. Most countries torture, it's just a fact. We always were able to claim we didn't for quite some time, through rendition tactics and other methods. We have now just dropped the facade.
Plain and simple, b/c of some people, the U.S. condones and endorses torture and makes it part of it's military methods of treating prisoners they deem might have valuable information.
Was the man in uniform when captured? If so he he is protected by treaty.
If not he is considered a spy and well no one likes a spy anyway. LOL
TX golfer said it well. Most if not all countries torture. We are talking about humans the most blood thirsty predatores on the planet.... We are also talking about countries and Military's who are often led by the most dishonest and corrupt that thier country has to offer. Ours is no different.
Not that I want to see it happen, being a member of the military myself, but I feel that you need to do what it takes to get the information you need if the outcome will be benefitial for the greater good of your country. My heart goes out to those US soldiers who have unfortulately been in this position, especially seeing how my wife will be deploying in a couple of months but we have no control of how they handle things. You have to put it into perspective though ever see the movie Unthinkable? I think that movie pretty much sums it up for me.
So everyone agrees that that kind of treatment is torture? Then why do people deny that these "techniques" are torture when done by American agents? Just yesterday Fox News pundits were rolling their eyes at the "preposterous" claim by the left that water boarding and sleep and food deprivation is torture. Supposedly it's just "enhanced interrogation".
If war was meant to be nice then it would only be played with a deck of cards. So while I see torture as inhumane and a horrible thing you have to do what you have to do to survive.
Fox News "analysts" roll their eyes because they have never had it done to them. Right now they say nothing but try water boarding them and see how their tune changes. It's torture. So what?
Was the man in uniform when captured? If so he he is protected by treaty.
American POWs in Vietnam were "protected" by the Geneva Convention. The North Vietnamese totally ignored it. Their physical torture was brutal and, in many cases, sustained. I'm not sure if any were water boarded but withholding food and sleep was routine.
Americans are instructed to resist until it is no longer possible. Some POWs in Vietnam broke. When they were returned to their cells their fellow POWs bandaged their wounds, took care of them (because their torturers certainly didn't) and encouraged them to live despite what was done to them.
I'm wondering what people think about the following hypothetical scenario:
Let's say that a high ranking military sergeant is in Iraq. He's among those who plan the actions of the military and know the details about future strikes in Iraq. The Iraqi government wants to know what the Americans are planning so that they can protect their people and buildings from bombings and other things that can cause harm.
So in hopes of finding out what the plans are they set out to capture the sergeant and detain him, which they manage to do. They interrogate the sergeant but he refuses to say anything. The sergeant is a tough and patriotic guy who believes in the mission and will not give any info to the enemy.
So the Iraqi agents decide to use some harsher methods hoping to get him to crack. They start forcing him to stand for very long periods of time. They prevent him from sleeping for 5-6 days straight only giving him minimal food. They blast him with extremely loud noises and hostile treatment. The sergeant is in bad shape but not cracking. So the Iraqi agents decide to take the next step. They start water boarding which is done by pouring water on someone's face to create the sensation of being about to drown.
After doing this several times and continuing food and sleep deprivation the sergeant finally breaks down and gives the agents information about planned attacks. As a result the attacks are stopped and no harm is done.
Do you think the treatment of the sergeant was justified since it was done to get information about attacks? Are the Iraqis well within their rights to do this in order to protect Iraqi lives and property? Do you think the treatment the sergeant endured is torture?
I'd be really curious to know what people think about these things.
The end does not justify the means when it comes to governments, if the people you speak of are Honorable then the would not torture a prisoner, so they either stand by the ideals they supposedly stand for or they don't. It is just that simple.
So everyone agrees that that kind of treatment is torture? Then why do people deny that these "techniques" are torture when done by American agents? Just yesterday Fox News pundits were rolling their eyes at the "preposterous" claim by the left that water boarding and sleep and food deprivation is torture. Supposedly it's just "enhanced interrogation".
An attempt to use "people" and "Fox News pundits" as one in the same is laughable.
But like the little Nazi Wilhelm Keitel they will just play out the "just following orders" defense.
You read the responses. It's torture. We condemn others who do it, and have done it for the past 40 years. We're just out in the open with it now, and ALL of our soldiers in uniform or not are open season to have it done to them.
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