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Persuasive Essay Against Torture

889 Words4 Pages

Terrorism is frightening, and it became real for the United States on September 11,

2001. It is scary to think that someone can just board a plane and kill thousands of people,

and it is also terrifying to realize we have enemies around the world who seek to kill our

innocent citizens. However, torturing any prisoner for information is not useful. It makes

our country just as bad the terrorists we are fighting. Torture does not work, and it goes

against everything the United States represents. International law also bans torture. Even

though sometimes prisoners give some useful information during torture, it is not reliable.

Terrorists should be scorned and forgotten, but torture creates sympathy for them. Therefore,

torturing …show more content…

On the other hand, experienced interrogators report that more truthful

information can be acquired if traditional, lawful methods are used (Prasow). We can

use mind control drugs and verbal intimidation. These are effective and will yield better

information (Messerli)

Terrorists suspects who have been caught in the act are often condemned by the

American people, and they should be. It would be tempting to torture suspects just to get

revenge. However, we still should not torture, because torturing builds sympathy for those

terrorists. “When you torture prisoners, you blur the distinction between good and evil, right

and wrong. Any acts of human brutality inevitably creates sympathy for monsters who would

otherwise be scorned or forgotten” (Messerli).

Torturing prisoners, such as what has happened with prisoners at Guantanamo

Bay, is never acceptable for the United States. Torture can provide some intel, and it can

be a temptation for many reasons. Nevertheless, using torture makes us no different

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