After the 9/11 attacks, the CIA used interrogation techniques such as confinement in a coffin sized box and "rectal feeding and rehydration" in order to get information out of suspected terrorists. Dick Cheyney, a proponent of the CIA interrogation program and former Vice President, states that he would "allow (the CIA to use these techniques) again in a minute." Cheneys defense for these tactics is that these suspected Al Queda terrorist inflicted torture on 3000 Americans during the 9/11 attacks so they deserve to be questioned in this manner. He also believes that the restraints on CIA activities should be taken off. Additionally, it has since been determined that 26 of the 118 suspected terrorists that the CIA put through this interrogation program were wrongly detained. Do you believe that the use of these investigation techniques was justified? Should they be considered torture? What restrictions (if any) should be placed on CIA activities or should they accomplish their goals at all costs? Do you believe the U.S. or the CIA should do something to appologize to the wrongly detained suspects who were subjected to these tortureous techniques?
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In my opinion, the CIA was wrong to use such techniques even though they were using them on terrorists. First of all, as stated by the Senate Intelligence Committee, the torture did not produce any useful information, which made it pointless. Second, the CIA's use of torture is contrary to the United States' supposed beliefs and shows the hypocrisy of the government. The United States has punished torturers as war criminals in the past, and now the government is engaging in these very same crimes and there has been little to no punishment dealt out for these actions. Also, if some of these prisoners were wrongly detained, the CIA has made a huge mistake by torturing innocent people. Overall, torture is not something that should be advocated by America.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, the CIA was morally wrong in using these techniques. That being said, morals do not protect this nation. The CIA did what it had to do during a very intense and emotional time. The CIA and the government for that matter wanted answers in order to protect our country from future terrorist attacks. As a nation we can act like we play by the rules , and everything we do is justified but at the end of the day does it really matter. Our government does what it has to do to protect our country. I am by no means a Dick Cheyney fan, but what he is saying is somewhat true. Al Queda doesn't care who they have to torture or kill to achieve their goals. It is would be nearly impossible for our nation to get anywhere and stay ahead of Al Queda if everything our government does must be "justified" and moral.
ReplyDeleteThe techniques the CIA used were definitely wrong and should be considered torture. This torture also turned out to be ineffective and could have possibly been on innocent people. I do not believe that torture should ever be used. At the same time this is how the world works and this is what sometimes needs to be done. Torture, however wrong it is, is sometimes simply necessary. For the CIA to be successful it has to do what it has to do. Sadly America can't always be moral.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Dan, I think during the time they performed these acts, they were doing what they felt was needed. Although the acts were harsh, and I definitely do not agree with them, the CIA acted how they needed too under their circumstances. The punishments were carried out after an attack on America, I think they were acting in ways to try and further protect our country from another attack. They were taking all measures to keep America safe at the time.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Taryna. However, I also agree with Dan. I think that during the very intense and emotional time, the CIA just wanted answers any way that they could get them. I don't think torture should ever be used. Even though it may get answers, I don't think that is it humane. Sometimes, it can also be done to innocent people who are being accused of crime and sometimes these techniques are not effective. I believe there are other ways to get answers without these types of interrogations.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Dan. The rhetoric behind this CIA report sympathizes with criminals and condemn victims. It's ironic how Senate Democrats, led by partisan hack Dianne Feinstein, are lecturing the country on morality when they have been aware of all the details included in the new Senate Intelligence Committee report for years, and yet decided to release it now for purely political reasons, even when the global terrorism threat is at its highest point since 9/11. Furthermore, the report was released without testimonies from any of the CIA officers who conducted enhanced interrogation. Their accounts of what happened seem kind of important to acknowledge. The methods used by the CIA may have been uncomfortable for murderous jihadists to endure, (terrorists who, by the way, are not American citizens, meaning they are not entitled to protections against cruel and unusual punishment), but unless they caused severe physical or mental pain, they were not torture. They did, however, produce the intelligence that led to the location of bin Laden; the information was revealed by 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, who was waterboarded humanely (do a Google image search of "Khalid Sheikh Mohammed before and after waterboarding" to prove just how non-torturous the techniques were.) Therefore, while Barack Obama has repeatedly taken undeserved credit for the killing of bin Laden, it never would have been possible without the waterboarding he denounces as "immoral" that took place at the Guantanamo Bay prison he has campaigned vigorously in favor of closing. Al-Qaeda and other radical Muslim terrorists do not acquiesce to morality; they see it as a sign of weakness. One of the reasons America is losing the fight against Islamic extremism is because our leadership tries to operate under this moronic standard of "staying true to American values" while they behead our citizens.
ReplyDeleteI'm very torn on this issues of torture. I do believe that it is an effective way to obtain vital information that could save and protect American lives. Many of these prisoners are members of groups that have performed the same forms of torture on Americans; therefore, it should be acceptable to retaliate with the same attack. However, I think a core value in the U.S's government is the right for a fair trial, and freedom from cruel and unusual punishment. This sort of tourture negates one of our founding principles and equalizes us with other countries that perform horrific acts of tourture.
ReplyDeleteThe question of the legality and appropriateness enhanced interrogation is challenging. When known terrorists refuse to give information, I imagine it is very frustrating for those conducting the interrogations. However, I stand by what John McCain has repeatedly stated on the subject: America cannot torture terrorists for information. We cannot stoop to the level of the terrorists.
ReplyDeleteJust because these people were alleged (and some actual) terrorists, doesn't mean that torture is any way to get information out of them. Torture is an excessively violent, damaging technique that should have been outlawed years ago. All the time we criticize Al Qaeda for torturing our own soldiers, yet here we are, found out to be doing the same. If we truly are protecting our country from the horrors that Al Qaeda brings, then how can we justifiably use the same interrogation techniques? Terrorist groups should not be our reference point.
ReplyDeleteI believe that the number of people that are subject to these intense interrogatiin methods is so small that it's not unreasonable to use torture ot obtain information, however, as Mackenzie pointed out, 26 people were wrongly imprisoned and tortured and that's just horrible. The US government should provide some monetary compensation for these prisoners. As for the terminology, there's not doubt that the CIA tortured people. I read that these methods were not actually successful in foiling any plans or preventing any attacks. I don't think it's even worth it for the CIA to comtinue using these tactics because they use them on so few people and they are under such scrutiny and criticism for their actions it's just not worth damaging their reputation.
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