Emarian

Thanks to the Republican Congress, and the Bush Administration, torture has been legalized to extract information from supposed "terrorists." Do you agree with the passing of this law? Do you believe that a country should be able to torture the soldiers that it captures?

Part of the Geneva Convention:

Article 3 describes minimal protections which must be adhered to by all individuals within a signatory's territory during an armed conflict not of an international character (regardless of citizenship or lack thereof): Noncombatants, combatants who have laid down their arms, and combatants who are hors de combat (out of the fight) due to wounds, detention, or any other cause shall in all circumstances be treated humanely, including prohibition of outrages upon personal dignity, in particular humiliating and degrading treatment. The passing of sentences must also be pronounced by a regularly constituted court, affording all the judicial guarantees which are recognized as indispensable by civilized peoples. Article 3's protections exist even if one is not classified as a prisoner of war. Article 3 also states that parties to the internal conflict should endeavour to bring into force, by means of special agreements, all or part of the other provisions of GCIII. (Wikipedia)

Basically, any prisoners that are not fighting must be treated humanely. They have the right to due process, (habeas corpus) and other confines of the law.

So the acts passed by the Bush Administration are in violation of the Geneva Convention. They are not illegal because the Geneva Convention is just an agreement, but it has always been followed by most countries since it's ratification.

So, to the point. A captured soldier ought to be treated like a human being, not tortured. I admit it; I dream of joining the Marines or the Air Force one day. I want to be able to fight for my country, but if I am captured, it would be nice to be able to get traded back to America for an Iraqi soldier or whoever we might be fighting at that time. I can apply this argument on a personal basis due to my dreams, but there is also the question of humanity. We are human beings, do we even have the right to strip the liberty from another person, who has led their own life, and torture them simply because they are on the opposite side? If chance placed me in the hands of an Iraqi mother when I was a baby, more than likely, I'd be fighting against America. Just because someone was born on the other side does not mean that they ought to be tortured for information.

So...What do you think? Don't forget to vote in the poll, it is anonymous, as always.

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tina.anderson

I don't think torture is ever justifiable. Unfortunately, there are no rules in war and anything goes, and now with this law being passed, it's going to be happening all around the world.

CM Punk

I can't justify torture, even if it is on the enemy.

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Random Turnip

i could justify torture.
i think there is a time where people overstep the mark of humanity and deserve to die in a horrible way, for example Hitler.
however, i think for it to be justifiable the person needs to have committed an awful crime

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Gamma

It's absolutely justifiable.

If someone knows where Osama Bin Laden is, or where Hussein kept the nukes and gases, or where Iran is planning to start up their nuclear program, then I would absolutely want them tortured for their information.

Because generally, saying "please" doesn't exactly work.

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Halcyon

But who decides whom it is justifiable to torture? Who draws the line?

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Emarian

Two wrongs don't make a right.

What if it was you?

What if you were captured and tortured for information?

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"The only journey is the journey within."
- Rainer Maria Rilke

"A ferocious dictator moves countries. A true leader moves continents." -Robert Bernard

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Gamma

NOBODY WANTS TO BE TORTURED.

Don't be a hippie.

But I would damn well deserve it if I were hiding secrets that could destroy nations.

Btw, Emarian, congratz on watching the daily show on Comedy Central, lol.

And before anyone says it, I know we executed Japanese officers after WWII for torturing our soldiers for information. I'll get into that more if you want me to.

But one more BIG THING, Emarian:

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Emarian

The Geneva Convention is a code of morals. Everyone applies.

And what are you talking about with the comedy show thing?

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"The only journey is the journey within."
- Rainer Maria Rilke

"A ferocious dictator moves countries. A true leader moves continents." -Robert Bernard

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Random Turnip

nope, but it sure would give them what they deserve, karma doesn't seem to do a very good job.

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Emarian

This thread is not about terrorists. It's about whether or not torture can be justified.

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"The only journey is the journey within."
- Rainer Maria Rilke

"A ferocious dictator moves countries. A true leader moves continents." -Robert Bernard

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