Tuesday, December 16, 2014
C.I.A., on Path to Torture, Chose Haste Over Analysis
The recent publishing of previously classified documents outlining the CIA's "enhanced interrogation" program. What is your view of the use of "enhanced interrogation"? Do you feel that Mitchell and Jensen should be considered war criminals?
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Mitchell and Jessen have a lot of prior experience, but their "nonstandard" interrogations are just torture methods. I don't agree with any method of torture, and I think life in jail is a far better option. I think it's completely inhumane how one human could want to/ go through with torturing another human or even animal. I sound like a total softy, but it is really messed up. The C.I.A. shouldn't pursue such physically aggressive approaches of interrogation. I think Obama did a great thing in shutting down the program.
ReplyDelete"Enhanced interrogation" is torture. There is no other way of viewing it. It is a flagrant violation of international law regarding treatment of POWs.
ReplyDeleteAt the same time it creates a moral dilemma and also provides ammunition for enemy propagandists.
How can we, in good faith, use torture and yet criticize other nations that use similar methods?
Prisoners of war, even if they hold vital information, even if they're affiliated with terrorists, should be afforded the rights they are required, by law, to have.
In regards to whether or not the two should be considered war criminals. I would have to say yes. At the same time, those who consented to the use of such methods should also go under the scrutiny of court, whether it be civilian or military.
There is no way that the interrogation methods used by Mitchell and Jessen were not torture. It is ridiculous that both of these men can say that what they did while interrogating prisoners was not torture. If any other country were to use those methods of interrogation, it would be considered torture without a doubt.
ReplyDeleteI agree entirely with the other posts saying that the methods used were torture. There is no doubt about that. Mitchell and Jensen argue that they were just following orders, and that it all happened before they knew it was happening, but that logic is skewed. Nazis were just following orders, too; that doesn't make it acceptable to torture people. Additionally, even if that had been "just following orders," some of the measures they took were excessive, unnecessary, and seemingly intended to cause suffering.
ReplyDeleteNot surprising, but I agree with everyone else above me. Malachi pointed out something very serious by saying, "How can we, in good faith, use torture yet criticize other nations that use similar methods?" How can we do that? It's ridiculous and just adds to the hypocritical nature of our country. Torture is torture, and it doesn't matter if it's called "enhanced interrogation." Regardless of what that person has done, no one deserves to be tortured. The fact that no one really analyzed and tried to come up with alternative methods to Mitchell's idea disturbs me. How can this country grow and make progress in different aspects if we just act in haste simply because we don't question the ideas of higher up officials?
ReplyDeleteI just cannot wrap my head around why CIA officials would authorize Mitchell's cruel and inhumane practices even after multiple psychologists came to the consensus that the enhanced interrogation techniques often led possible suspects to reveal wrong information in order to escape the pain. First off, extreme enhanced interrogation is wrong, and should not be allowed. Second, it doesn't work.... For both reasons, I think the people people who authorized the techniques should definitely be held accountable.
ReplyDeleteI understand the hatred that people hold against terrorists, especially those affiliated with al-Qaeda, after the 9/11 attacks. Many loved ones were lost in the attacks and some feel that those responsible should be treated in awful ways as punishment for their actions. Which it seems they were. However, it obviously wasn't a method that benefitted anyone. Most of the information given forward during these "enhanced interrogations" isn't even correct, according to behavioral analysts. I definitely feel that there are other ways to a) get needed information out of prisoners and b) punish them for their actions.
ReplyDeleteThis "enhanced interrogation" was just a cover up word for torture. I agree with most people in that Michell and Jessen should be held accountable for what they did. Like Emily said, there are other ways to get people to speak and hold them accountable. Torture is not an option.
ReplyDeleteI agree with everyone here that there is no doubt that Mitchell and Jessen were torturing people. I just don't understand why the CIA would overlook this fact or blatantly ignore it and hire these guys anyway. It is morally wrong to torture people and it is ultimately ineffective, as pointed out in the article, since people are so desperate to stop the torture that they will lie. We have to remain vigilant in regards to terrorism and prevent terrorists from being successful but at the same time we have to maintain our values and morals and not torture people. There are other more effective and humane methods of getting them to talk than torture and these are what the CIA should be using.
ReplyDeleteThis whole situation is very messed up and there is no doubt in my mind that this was torture. I in no way condone these actions, but I think there is something to say about when this all started. Right after 9/11, there was mass hysteria and tension. CIA operatives felt the need to produce results, and so they resorted to horrible methods such as the one's mentioned in the article to get answers. I attribute some of their decisions to the zeitgeist. However, the torture went on for much longer after the aftermath of 9/11 and it was considered to be ineffective. This is another example of power getting to people's heads that authors like George Orwell have warned us about. These CIA operatives let their power to control their prisoners take over their ethical judgement. Again, these are egregious acts that disgust me, but for those of you who do not understand the CIA's motives, that is my take on what went wrong in their heads and inspired them to be so inhumane.
ReplyDelete