Boy, talk about recycling the Abu Graib story. The ACLU is pulling out all the stops on this one.
I'm uncomfortable with outright physical torture, but given the tactics the enemy is using I frankly don't care. If the US intelligence agencies can stop another beheading or suicide bomber, I think anything short of murder and dismemberment should be on the table.
The axis of evil = terrorists, ACLU and communists.
SOF operators do not snatch random people or terrorize nuns and puppies.
They are after high value targets. If those targets get banged up in the process of capture, tough. If the jihadis hadn't chosen that way of life, they wouldn't have SEALs sitting on them.
If a few slaps, punches, panties on the head, leading by leach adventures, etc. will provide info that saves ANY of the lives of our soldiers over there, innocent Iraqis, or even citizens over HERE, then it's worth it. The definitino of torture has expanded like the meaning of "child abuse" has over the last coupel of decades.
IF our guys were cutting off fingers, shocking genitals, etc, that MIGHT be different, but I have yet to hear anything that qualifies as real TORTURE/ABUSE. People so easily forget that these folks are TERRORISTS who were, in most cases, caught in the act of trying to hurt/kill our guys or Iraqi civilians.
BTT. I really like the responses on this thread. Well said everyone. I don't have a thing to add.