HabitableZone

Flame » in reply to Re: The Truth can be ugly and painful, or Why America doesn't count for much anymore.

Re: The Truth can be ugly and painful, or Why America doesn't count for much anymore.
ER — (archived)

The people who do the torturing always define the crimes of the tortured. And they always define them in such a way that justifies the torture. This doesn't mean the victims of torture are heroes or villains. It just means the torturers can't be trusted to tell the difference, and they can't be trusted to tell the truth.

The reasons for torture are (not in any particular order)

1) To terrorize and intimidate an opposition into stopping their activities and recruiting followers.

2) To get information that will help neutralize opposition activity by identifying their plans and leadership.

3) Because there is an official torture squad, legally authorized to torture, they use it for their own ends and even employ it to secure their own position and power irrespective of larger national political goals.

4) They don't give a fig about politics, they are simply sadists who enjoy their work and know they can get away with it now.

During the time when torture becomes an instrument of national policy, these goals may change or morph. 2) gradually is replaced by 1), and eventually an institutional 3) arises. And of course, there are always those who
fall under category 4).

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