America had no business using torture as a way of getting information.

Point 1: A governmental official at Camp X-ray speaking in regards to human rights violations among detainees stated, "if you don't violate someone's human rights some of the time, you're probably aren't doing your job…." Unfortunately this is the current mentally of our government; whatever the means as long as it has the desired outcome. Apparently this is also the view point of the American public. About.com did an internet poll regarding the use of torture and the results were surprising. There was a 65% approval rate for the use of torture. 49% of those responding said that torture was acceptable under any condition, 7% said torture was acceptable to prevent acts of terror and 9% were in favor it help prevent an upcoming act of terror. It is the role of government to protect those who cannot reasonably protect themselves or for whatever reason, aren't given a sufficient voice even if the majority believes otherwise. Segregation and slavery are prime examples of the government having to make decisions for the sake of a minority that are against the expressed desires of the majority. Point 2: There isn't enough oversight to prevent abuses. In addressing the Ninth Circuit Court, the government stated that "the detainees have absolutely no legal right to question US actions on Guantanamo." They further argued that Federal Court should have no jurisdiction. This would mean that the government would be able to seize and torture at will without sufficient evidence this action would provide beneficial or that the individual has the knowledge the government seeks. There would be no courts for any prisoner to appeal to. This reduces the US to the same level as Stalin, Hitler, Sadam Hussein and other bloody dictatorships. How can this elevate the US in the eyes of international politics and within its own borders? I am all for patriotism, but being patriotic does not mean we forgo reason and compassion. Point 3: Inflicting random pain will not get you the results you desire. An effective torturer must be recruited, trained and properly equipped in order to get the desired effect. There would also need to be basic scientific research on the most effective means of torture. There also would need to be guidelines established to say when this form of interrogation is appropriate and when it is not. Also needed would be some form of checks and balances to ensure that it is only used within established guidelines. It needs to be shown that the financial cost of using torture more cost effective than other established means of gathering information. I could not find one cited instance where torture has used to obtain valuable and useful information in the War on Terror that could have been obtained through other means. All of this would be a great expenditure with questionable results. With the war costing billions per day and individuals in this country going hungry, medical care and without shelter, can we morally justify the expense? Point 4: One also must consider the psychological, emotional and spiritual cost to the person conducting the torture. We all know the damage the stress of combat can do to an individual in combat as well as the psychological impact of accidental collateral damage to the innocent. What kind of damage will be done to the individual who assumes the role of torturer? How will this individual be able to reconcile his profession with his religious/moral compass? When a person accidently takes the life of another person, the psychological trauma is great. Great mental and emotional trauma is inflicted on an individual who must inflict pain and suffering on others for days and weeks at a time. To strip a person of all human dignity which leaves permanent wounds that are both physical and emotional would be difficult enough when the person is thought to be guilty or withholding valuable information. What would be the damage to the individual who does this only to find out that the person was innocent or was not in possession of the needed information? Do we use amoral individuals who can shut off any feelings or compassion for another individual who is suffering? What does that say about society as a whole who would employ an individual for such as purpose? Point 5: The use of torture is a slippery slope. Wire taping and other devices used in the War on Terror are slowly being used against the American people. Abuses are rampant with the court being able to do little to contain the problem. It wouldn't be long until one of us could be one of those innocents who are sacrificed for the good of the many. References: ttp://www.usafa.edu... http://writ.news.findlaw.com...