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The Pros And Cons Of Torture

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Debate whether or not the United States should have the right to torture suspected terrorists.

Torture involves the use of intimidation, humiliation, discomfort and, pain to extract information and confessions from prisoners and suspects held by government (state, federal). Thus, there is deliberations regarding torture if, groups or individuals who have been given the right to use force and authority to achieve objectives decided on by a government (Hickey, 2013). The government should use patient, skillful, professional interrogations to obtain critical information without relying on cruelty, inhuman, or degrading treatment.

Undoubtedly, most experienced interrogators recognize that torture is immoral and illegal, also, ineffective
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Many have said that they would want nonlethal torture to be used in such cases but “did not want torture to be officially recognized by our legal system.” Similar statements have posited that while “torture might be necessary in a given situation it could never be right.” This approach, that of keeping torture off-the-books, is in direct conflict with the necessity for accountability and transparency in a democracy. A democracy cannot work if the public is kept in the dark. The public must know what is going on in order to approve or disapprove.

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Mahatma Gandhi, the preeminent leader of the Indian independence movement states “You can chain me, you can torture me, you can even destroy this body, but you will never imprison my mind.” This is important because torture is brutal on the body and mind. The article “Torture’s Terrible Toll” by John McCain is more convincing then the article “The Case for Torture” by Michael Levin because McCain provides more logical reasoning, he adds his own personal experience of being a captured prisoner during the Vietnam War, and he creates an emotional bond with people around the world. Through more logical reasoning McCain Argument is more valid than Levin.

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Many people might think that torture is cruel, unacceptable and it does not show humanity. In contrast, Michael Levin says that implementing torture is needed to prevent future evil acts. In “The Case for Torture”, Michael Levin also makes it clear that there are situations in which torture is not merely acceptable but morally necessary. Levin argues that implementing torture to save people lives is morally right and reasonable. Levin’s purpose of his text is to let people know that there are times when torture becomes an option to save and protect innocent lives.

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While analyzing “The Torture Myth” and “The Case for Torture”, it is very clear to see the type of rhetorical appeals used to persuade the audience. Anne Applebaum, the writer of “The Torture Myth” --in context of the decision of electing a new Attorney General--would argue that torture is very seldomly effective, violates a person’s rights, and should be outlawed due to the irrational need upon which physical torture is used. On the other hand, Michael Levin strongly argues that physical torture is crucial to solving every imminent danger to civilians. Levin claims that if you don’t physically torture someone, you are being weak and want to allow innocent people to die over something that could have been simply done.

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2016). Using this ethical framework to argue against torture, one needs to consider the violation of the terrorist’s rights. Utilitarians argue that under a scenario where thousands of people are in danger, the well-being of the larger community is more important than neglecting the rights of a single individual (Krauthammer 2005). The simple idea of taking away a person’s autonomy for the sake of others violates rights ethics. To comprehend the violation upon the victim’s rights, it is important to understand how torture feels, “Brian describes his body as having become an object… pain is the central reality; it dominates experience and expression (Wisnewski 2010, 81).”

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In its effort to combat terrorism, the United States produced more terrorists and terrorist sympathizers using enhanced interrogation techniques, straining the relationship with the local Iraqi and Afghanistan populace. Indeed, images of United States soldiers torturing detainees served as a powerful recruitment tool for Sunni jihadists who were able to persuade local nationals to support their crusade. Furthermore, the United States’ use of enhanced interrogation techniques proved to be ineffective as the information collected from interrogations was inadequate to combat the terrorist threat. Based on the available literature regarding the use of United States enhanced interrogation, three recommendations are provided. • Preserve Executive Order 13491 -

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The discussion of torture is a touchy one in regards to its place in the justice system. People struggle to find a place for it between what is morally right and what is realistically necessary. In the state that the world is in today, due to frequent terror attacks, the topic is more crucial and controversial than ever before. In Michael Levin’s “A Case for Torture”, he presents his beliefs on how accommodations can be made for torture in order to uphold the safety and well-being of the world. Levin’s main argument explains that in order to maintain morals, the use of torture must be evaluated on a case-to-case basis.

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“One time Grandma told me she was the very happiest when she was living over all her memories.” A Lantern in Her Hand is about the life of Abbie Deal as she moves with her husband Will, from Iowa to Nebraska for a new start. In the 1800s this was not easy but Abbie and Will accepted the challenge. Abbie is a dreamer and Will is quiet and rarely complains. Abbie has so many dreams that she knows she will not be able to live out but as her life goes on and she sees her children grow she realizes what her true dreams are.

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The practice of enhanced interrogation techniques, considered by many as torture, has further tarnished America's commitment to human rights and ethical treatment. These violations of civil liberties have not only harmed the individuals directly affected but have also weakened the fabric of trust between citizens and the government, fostering a sense of unease and

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Reports from the Red Cross, other organisations and released prisoners show that detainees are often subject to violent interrogation and torture, whereas the United States administration argues that the activities they are conducting are legal and do not breach any human rights. (Ratner, M. and Ray, E. 2004). Presidents George W Bush and Barack Obama have often defended accusations and reports claiming that inhuman techniques have

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Torture is universally prohibited in both national and International law worldwide. It is a fundamental violation of human rights that cannot be derogated from. Essentially, torture is said to constitute any physical and mental act by which severe pain or suffering is intentionally inflicted upon a person ( UNCAT).Torture is mainly used for purposes that are set out to degraded, embarrass, and induce destruction in the person being subjected to torture and those in close relation to the person being tortured .Torture is a mechanism used by those in authoritative positions to preserve themselves in power (Power, 2006:2). Despite the universal prohibition on torture, its use has been widespread throughout history, and especially of late in the wake of September 11 2001 and other recent terrorist atrocities to combat the aforementioned heinous terrorist attacks.

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