The al Qaeda how-to manual, or “Torture for Dummies” includes drawings of how best to torture their captives. It includes many of the things you’d expect to see – blowtorch to the skin, suspended from ceiling and electrocuted, drilling hands, severing limbs… but oddly enough, no waterboarding instructions.
No, I don’t condone torture by anyone for any reason. But I also think that the facile and convenient description of harsh interrogation techniques as torture does us all a disservice on a number of levels. It is a fact that captured enemy combatants would like to withhold information from us that we would like to have; information about how we can more quickly and easily defeat them. Where are they, what are they thinking and planning? Knowing those things that will help us win the war more quickly, and it should be noted that to do so would save lives. Additionally, it seems that waterboarding is used as an interrogation technique far less than the dreaded comfy chair.
I received this joke email earlier today, and it should be noted that the reason it is so funny is that it is true. Sometimes just talking calmly and quietly with someone doesn’t get the necessary result.
| Tough Love vs. Spanking
Most of America’s population think its improper to spank children, so I have tried other methods to control my kids when they have one of “those moments.” One that I found effective is for me to just take the child for a car ride and talk. They usually calm down and stop misbehaving after our car ride together. I’ve included a photo below of one of my sessions with my son, in case you would like to use the technique. Sincerely, |
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We don’t need a debate on whether torture is wrong. We need a debate on what torture actually is.
Added: Don Surber, Wretchard and Gina Cobb note the silence of those who accuse Americans of torture.
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