Current Events — HabitableZone

Current Events » in reply to re: Saddening and maddening, isn't it?

Sorry MaryAnne Life Isn't That Simple
Mark Eby — (archived)

You can't always just choose between right and wrong. Sometimes you have to choose the lesser of two evils. Is it right to treat prisoners with absolute concern for their welfare when most would not then willingly give any information that would save the lives of Americans, Iraqis, and our Allies? I'm sorry, but I absolutely disagree with anyone who thinks a terrorist's self esteem and happiness is more important than anyone's life.

I think in the long term treatment above and beyond expected would likely yield many of the same results in information gathering. Unfortunately by then most of it would be useless in dealing with fluid terrorist organizations. I believe permanent disabling, death, or extreme pain should all be out of bounds. Mental duress and mild but wearing physical discomfort of a type not likely to cause permanent harm is entirely appropriate for terrorists IMO. It bothers me to support these kind of tactics, but I honestly believe the only alternative is to allow a higher fatality rate on our side.

I would not condone these tactics for any captured soldiers in a traditional war, but the tactics used by terorrists are so inhumane in my view that they forfeit the rights normal soldiers should have. In a traditional war the urgency of information gathering would also be less because the enemy's home base and primary focus is well known.

Regards,
Mark

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