The CIA Smacked Around A Few Terrorists. So What?

Townhall.com ^ | December 14, 2014 | John Nantz

[joesbucks]

While I'm not dismissing the techniques used by the US, I wonder if our enemies posted "we just smacked a few around" what our response would be.

I realize that certain of our enemies have gone WAY beyond smacking around. That's not the point. So don't go there. The point is if they had never gone beyond smacking around would that be ok with the people of the US to use those types of measures that were used by us as the enemy sought to gain information from us.

[yldstrk]

So if torture is just A-OK, how long does it take us to descend down the slippery slope to sawing off heads? If killing people accidentally while torturing them for information or just because is just peachy keen, where to draw the line............decisions, decisions.

Answer: We are the good guys and we better act like it.

[rellimpank]

" The CIA’s interrogation techniques are positively genteel in comparison to the beheadings, stonings, and live burials perpetrated by the enemy. The hypocritical Obama administration rains down hellfire missiles in torrents, blasting people into dismembered fragments and nary a sniff is heard from the fawning, monolithic media."

--great quote. Nearly all of the so-called "victims" of purported CIA "torture" are still alive , (unless killed in combat against US forces)--

--wonder if a few years from now any organization will be investigating and threatening THE ONE with "war crimes" for the drone program?

"I'm getting pretty good at this killing people" per NYT article on the Obama "darkened room"--

[Servant of the Cross]

In debauched minds it is fine for our young, once potentially unifying President to boast, "I'm pretty good at killing" while speaking of his own secret kill list, but all hell breaks loose if America's expert and experienced CIA keeps known terrorists up at night for questioning, plays annoying music to get the evil ones' attention, and considers whatever else necessary to keep us safe. (Yuck it up much, Nobel Peacenik President?) From the cozy confines of the White House he blusters a willingness to assassinate whomever he chooses, no need for judicial balance or seasoned military brass strategy – in fact the Community Organizer canned nearly 200 of our top military officials. And leftist response to their leader's suspiciously opaque drone game plan? Crickets.

[goodnesswins]

It’s not torture if they can walk away

[UCANSEE2]

If killing people accidentally while torturing them for information or just because is just peachy keen, where to draw the line

I understand what you are saying. What I don't understand is why those who think that is wrong also think we should just turn the whole Middle East into a glass parking lot.

IT seems really contradictory.

[Kaslin]

Exactly

[Straight8]

We let ‘em keep their heads. Mistake?

[depressed in 06]

Answer: We are the good guys and we better act like it.

They are the bad guys and don't deserve better.

[yldstrk]

It’s one thing to torture the bad guys, it’s another to bomb them in a war.

[yldstrk]

They don’t deserve better, you are right, but we need to keep our decency.

[UCANSEE2]

When they ‘torture’ the bad guys they only affect the ‘bad guys’.

When they bomb them in a war, they kill uninvolved citizens including women and children.

How is that better ?

[mad_as_he$$]

So you prefer killing them with a Hellfire from a drone up their ass than some waterboarding?

[Leaning Right]

I wonder if our enemies posted "we just smacked a few around" what our response would be

That's a fair question. It's not the determining question. But it is a fair question.

[yldstrk]

Yeah, you got me. But that’s the way it is.

[yldstrk]

yep, the torture is gratuitous, not worthwhile. Eliminating an enemy, that’s ok.

[mad_as_he$$]

You are wrong about “torture”. I have witnessed real torture and it works. Some waterboarding, loud music and sleep deprivation is not torture.

What if you killed the only person that could of told you when the attack on your family is going to happen and how it was to be done?

Dick Cheney says that enhanced techniques lead to actionable intel? Are you calling him a liar?

[yldstrk]

Loud music, bright lights, isolation, sleep deprivation, no problem. Waterboarding, problem.

[central_va]

Answer: We are the good guys and we better act like it.

You're an idiot.