Is torture unconstitutional?

[jdsa]

My problem with water boarding is that our own government held that is constituted a war crime when the Japs used it on our soldiers in WWII. That fact coupled with the testimony of those who have experienced it, like John McCain, that water boarding constitutes unacceptable torture mean that we shouldn't use it in our interrogations.

On the whole, I'm probably more in favor of chemical alternatives and/or pycholgical means to obtain information, as opposed to anything the inflicts direct physical pain on our prisoners, though I'm by no means an expert on the subject.

I've always wondered about the reliability of information gaernered by torture as well. It seems like there's no incentive to tell the truth under any circumstances, so I've always wondered about its efficacy.

 

[vader]

My problem with water boarding is that our own government held that is constituted a war crime when the Japs used it on our soldiers in WWII. That fact coupled with the testimony of those who have experienced it, like John McCain, that water boarding constitutes unacceptable torture mean that we shouldn't use it in our interrogations.

On the whole, I'm probably more in favor of chemical alternatives and/or pycholgical means to obtain information, as opposed to anything the inflicts direct physical pain on our prisoners, though I'm by no means an expert on the subject.

I've always wondered about the reliability of information gaernered by torture as well. It seems like there's no incentive to tell the truth under any circumstances, so I've always wondered about its efficacy.

Good points. I have often wondered about the reliability of information obtained through torture, as well. It seems as though someone would say just about anything to avoid it.

 

[KB5252]

why are we the only country that tells everyone what we are going to do, have done, or want to do? Why can't we keep techniques a secret..

Because there are some people with the perverted mentality that we should know what our government and military are doing at all times. This of coarse makes gathering intelligence(and many other things) next to impossible.

 

[cd12]

I guess it all depends on which college you attend......

 

[KB5252]

My problem with water boarding is that our own government held that is constituted a war crime when the Japs used it on our soldiers in WWII. That fact coupled with the testimony of those who have experienced it, like John McCain, that water boarding constitutes unacceptable torture mean that we shouldn't use it in our interrogations.

On the whole, I'm probably more in favor of chemical alternatives and/or pycholgical means to obtain information, as opposed to anything the inflicts direct physical pain on our prisoners, though I'm by no means an expert on the subject.

I've always wondered about the reliability of information gaernered by torture as well. It seems like there's no incentive to tell the truth under any circumstances, so I've always wondered about its efficacy.

We actually used it on people who had information we needed. In McCain's case he has stated that he had no intelligence, which would have been evident to his interviewers, so his "torture was done for the sake of torture. The Japanese, known for their ruthless methods used waterboarding, (as well as many other methods) for the sake of torture as well.

 

[therealUT]

McCain and Durant gave up every last piece of intel they were personally aware of. I am pretty sure that if torture worked effectively on our special operators, then it would surely work just as effectively on lesser trained and prepared numbnut Talibs...

 

[KB5252]

McCain and Durant gave up every last piece of intel they were personally aware of. I am pretty sure that if torture worked effectively on our special operators, then it would surely work just as effectively on lesser trained and prepared numbnut Talibs...

Your right I should have written they had no intelligence that was actually useful.

 

[utvolpj]

My issue is more around the timing. If used on prisoners that have been removed from contact for 3mos then it just seems useless.

 

[KB5252]

My issue is more around the timing. If used on prisoners that have been removed from contact for 3mos then it just seems useless.

They could still give you names or info that could help you track someone of interest.

 

[therealUT]

My issue is more around the timing. If used on prisoners that have been removed from contact for 3mos then it just seems useless.

Names, safehouses, strategic plans, etc. are usually viable for an extended duration.

 

[tim]

The difference is that our operatives should atleast have this tool in their tool box. I think our guys are aware and informed enough to know who to actually pour water on and who to just lock away until they are too old to pose any threat (basically till they die).