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View Full Version : The Ticking Time Bomb in the US?

headscratcher4
3rd June 2009, 06:10 AM
http://theamericanscene.com/2009/06/02/a-question-for-war-on-terror-hawks

Connor Friedsdorf makes what I think is an interesting argument. If terrorism aquires an American face, as opposed to wild-eyed Arab fanatics, will the pro-torture lobby think twice about its assertions of both Unitary Executive power and whether or not waterboarding constitutes torture?
maddog
3rd June 2009, 06:43 AM
Well, there are orders of magnitude difference here.

However, to take a hypothetical, and just say that there was evidence that "the Perp" (whether that be the perp(s) of the Tiller murder or of the recruitment center drive-by killing/attack) was NOT acting alone, but was part of a larger organization that was planning and had the capability for carrying out further imminent attacks, then I would think that "enhanced interrogation techniques" would be fully appropriate, under very limited circumstances.

But that is a huge hypothetical, and the circumstances would be at least as limited as they were at Gitmo -- and only three guys got waterboarded there, out of several hundred.
JoeTheJuggler
3rd June 2009, 06:48 AM
The C.A.T. specifically says that no crisis or emergency--including domestic ones--can be used to justify torture.

I hope even the pro-waterboarding people would not change their position based on these circumstances. I would give them the benefit of the doubt and assume that they honestly believe their own claim that waterboarding is not torture.
Brainster
3rd June 2009, 08:17 AM
If it is perceived that there will be further attacks coming on abortion doctors, absolutely I would approve of waterboarding Tiller's killer. As I said on one on the political threads, I have no problem recognizing the assassination of Tiller as (potentially) a terrorist action.
BenBurch
3rd June 2009, 08:28 AM
Brainster, what if you had been mistaken for Tiller's assassin? Would you want them to waterboard you to get a confession and information? I dare say you would tell them anything you thought they wanted to hear, and quickly.
INRM
3rd June 2009, 10:14 AM
JoeTheJuggler,

What's the C.A.T.?
Travis
4th June 2009, 01:46 AM
What ever happened to truth serum and hot lights?
arthwollipot
4th June 2009, 01:51 AM
If it is perceived that there will be further attacks coming on abortion doctors, absolutely I would approve of waterboarding Tiller's killer. As I said on one on the political threads, I have no problem recognizing the assassination of Tiller as (potentially) a terrorist action.No, it's not terrorism. It's a crime of passion. To be terrorism it would have to be a part of an organised conspiracy. Or that's what I reckon, anyway.
Almo
4th June 2009, 05:21 AM
If it is perceived that there will be further attacks coming on abortion doctors, absolutely I would approve of waterboarding Tiller's killer. As I said on one on the political threads, I have no problem recognizing the assassination of Tiller as (potentially) a terrorist action.

Torture is wrong, no exceptions. Wrong morally (one reason not to do it), and it's not effective (other reason not to do it).

A person under torture will tell you anything to get it to stop. Why would you trust such information?!? :confused:
maddog
4th June 2009, 06:15 AM
What ever happened to truth serum and hot lights?

Snape ran out of veritaserum. Dolores Umbridge used the last of it on Cho Chang. It will be a month before he can make more.
Travis
4th June 2009, 06:17 AM
Snape ran out of veritaserum. Dolores Umbridge used the last of it on Cho Chang. It will be a month before he can make more.

Damn. Guess we should order more Truth Snapping Turtles.