Recently, Dick Cheney has gone public about his true feelings on the newly released "torture report." Earlier this week, Senate Democrats have published a report about the "enhanced" interrogations that were authorized during the Bush administration. Apparently, Cheney does not agree with the Democrats' findings, calling it "full of crap." Cheney states that the Democrats did not interview any CIA officials that were in office at the time and that the program was designed "to catch the bastards" and "that's exactly what they did."
Personally, I have mixed feelings about the whole report and enhanced interrogation. On one hand, it could be a useful tool for extracting information that could potentially save lives but on the other hand, it's morally wrong. So we face a dilemma. Should we follow our moral compasses and do the right thing, or should we do whatever is necessary to protect the country and its people?
"Torture is an impermissible evil. Except under two circumstances. The first is the ticking time bomb. An innocent's life is at stake. The bad guy you have captured possesses information that could save this life. He refuses to divulge. In such a case, the choice is easy."~Charles Krauthammer
These are the types of situations that I hate thinking about. If the outcome is going to save thousands of people's lives, then I think that interrogations are a necessary aspect for homeland security. But the Democrats' argument over "enhanced interrogations" is complete bogus. These types of interrogations have been around for several decades. For example, Guantanamo Bay has existed since the Cold War, so I agree with Cheney: the Dems' views are "full of crap."
ReplyDeleteI have no problem with torture if it is necessary to our country's safety. But that reasoning has led to many atrocities in the history of our nation and the world when that fine line is toyed with. During the bush administration there was a clear and present danger to the safety of unites states citizens by the middle East and under those circumstances we must do what we can to get the information that we need.
ReplyDeleteMorality should always trump the alternative. Once you allow one circumstance for immoral behavior, it opens the door for many other circumstances.
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