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Is Torture ever justified as an interrogation technique? The correct answer is a qualified "Yes".

The first qualification is that we thoroughly define "torture" to all in the community that would use this technique so they understand what is authorized and what is not. The current regulations appear to limit the use of torture, except in the investigation of terrorists. Since 9-11 we have utilized torture as defined in classified documents. Recently we began to lift the lid off of the definitions and most people are outraged to see how far we have gone down this road. I prefer that we utilize torture only in extreme cases where life and death situations hang in the balance based on the quality of the intelligence gathered during such sessions. Life should not be lost due to interrogation and torture.

The second qualification would be the skill of the user in utilizing such a practice. I think we have enough skilled personnel on hand to insure that interrogation does not result in death. The implication of using torture is the subject will give up the important information rather than lose their life. A skilled interrogation will usually produce the needed information and torture is usually not necessary. If it should be necessary, the level of torture needed should be carefully matched to the need for the information.

A third area of concern is the use of torture in peacetime. I would not authorize torture in any peacetime era. Torture should be limited to war time situations.

Our major error in considering the use of torture is our comparison of the torture to our own civilization. At present time the military in Iraq utilizes torture. The enemies use of torture is by far, more extensive and less humane than ours. Press stories coming out of Iraq note the daily finding of bodies in Baghdad where the torture and death of the individual was so severe that our press could not carry the description of the torture - it was too gruesome for daily newspapers in the USA! The Sunni and Shiite torture of each others captives almost always results in a brutal and gruesome death. Our brand of torture is scary and efficient, but rarely does anyone ever get killed as a result of what we do to captives.

Those that say we should never use torture under any circumstance often refer to the cruel and inhumane methods. When the soldiers and press report cruel and inhumane treatment of their own citizens and our soldiers by the terrorists, there is usually no mention about whether this was authorized torture by the terrorists. It seems as though anyone in the terrorists organization can torture anyone else they capture for any reason. Our utilization of torture is almost always done for reasons we can defend.

It is not easy to argue for torture. Nobody wants this practice to be used or continued for any reason. However, like any tools usage, it is not the tool, but the user who needs to be watched.

Learn more about this author, Fred Tolleson.
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