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
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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