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by John Overocker

The debate about the use of torture for the gathering of intelligence in order to protect American lives has raged for nearly as long as the War on Terror itself. What does it say about our National Character? Who are we if we do these things? Can we maintain any semblance of moral authority if we do these things to human beings, even our enemies? Do the ends justify the means?

Some would say no. This includes the likely Republican nominee for President, Senator John McCain. Senator McCain, a former POW himself, has made no bones about the fact that he is against torture, for obvious reasons. This is also the case with Senator Obama and Clinton. Both have publicly stated that they believe "waterboarding" is torture and as Americans, we are above it.

When dealing with most things that are happening in the world today, the situation is complicated. John McCain, possibly the strongest anti-torture advocate in the US government, championed of the ban on US personnel torturing enemy combatants in 2005. Stating that it was a chance for the US to gain and keep the moral high-ground when it came to dealing with terrorists throughout the world. Telling our enemies and or friends that the United States doesn't torture, that we are above it and always will be? Why I find this stance touching, I also find it difficult to accept.

Of course torture is a horrible thing. It is never pleasant, either for the person being tortured, or the torturer. And, whenever you're using physical discomfort or fear to induce a release of information, there will be the possibility that the person will get to the point that they'll say anything for the pain to stop. To coin a phrase from one of my favorite movies: "You beat this pig hard enough; he'll tell you he started the Goddamn Chicago Fire." What Sean Penn so eloquently stated in his most famous role, isn't exactly news.

However, false information is as much a part of questioning suspected criminals (or terrorists) as anything else. Torture, like so many other things in this world is something that must be dealt with in a serious debate where the question of morality versus public good are weighed and a middle ground is found. The only way that torture will become something that isn't a secretive and clandestine operation, conducted in secret locations by nameless individuals under the blanket protection of "National Security"; something that is contrary to the common American sensibilities but nonetheless necessary in this new kind

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