by James Zipadelli

Created on: April 19, 2009

Using 'enhanced interrogation techniques' is just another way of saying torture.

There are several problems with these techniques, which include waterboarding and sleep deprivation. The first problem is that these techniques don't make us safer - the suspect might just be telling us what we want to hear just so we could stop torturing him. Therefore, we would be spending valuable time and resources chasing the wrong person. From an economic standpoint, we should be mindful that we have two unfinished wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, which have plunged us into debt. The more we torture suspects, the longer the wars will go on, and the more unnecessary debt we will incur.

Another reason why 'enhanced interrogation techniques' constitute torture is because the more we use them, the less moral authority we have to lead in the world. Would we want a journalist or someone like Capt. Richard Phillips of the Alabama treated like we treat suspects in Guantanamo Bay? Countries that are hostile to us - that detain Americans - will say over our objections, "Well, how is our treatment any different than yours?"

'Enhanced interrogation techniques' make anti-American sentiment worse. People will remember the pictures that came out of Abu Graib prison in 2004 - prisoners that were stripped naked, had collars on them, or were scared by dogs. When you have anti-American sentiment, people who are unemployed or have difficult lives to begin with, and when we don't make a conscious effort to reach out to poorly represented groups, being a suicide bomber looks really good. Joining a holy war against the West, and against U.S. interests looks really good. When the Bush administration authorized torture, al qaida and other terror networks seized on the information to recruit more suicide bombers.

It won't be easy gaining the trust of these suspects. But there are times in history where taking the high road has worked. In World War II, we didn't torture suspects, and we beat Hitler and facism. We talked to Nazis over a card table. When you can gain the trust of a suspect, they might change their opinions of the U.S. and the West. We don't look like occupiers. If we can beat Hitler and facism without torture, there's no reason we can't do the same thing with current suspects.

Former Vice President Dick Cheney emerged from his undisclosed location to defend waterboarding to Wolf Blitzer:

BLITZER: We're out of time, but a quick couple of questions and then I'll let you go. Waterboarding, it was

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>