Monday, August 31, 2009

American Government 8/31/09

In Class - Discuss survey questions and responses. Turn in your survey responses and one page write-up. If you (for whatever reason) did not complete this, I will accept this tomorrow without any deductions of points. If I receive this on Wednesday, I will deduct two letter grades. I will not accept anything past Wednesday.

Homework - Summarize the following article (the summary along with the citation will be your first current event in your notebook.)
http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1918758,00.html

We will begin a new topic of study: torture. Take a look at the following articles for the question of the week?

http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1919523,00.html
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1892947,00.html
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1892352,00.html
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1901491,00.html
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1892721,00.html

QOW - Should the United States use torture or other "alternative interrogation techniques" in order to receive information from terrorist suspects?

Be sure to use complete thoughts, arguments, and support for your arguments. Check your spelling, grammar, and be sure your thoughts and opinions make sense.

56 comments:

Elyse:] said...

Hell no i really dont think they should use torture. Thats wrong and cruel. Yeah their terrorists but no one deserves to be tortured. They should be able to interrogate terrorists or whoever differently than torturing them. Thats sick and the US is way better than that. Guantanamo bay is stupid and they should be able to use it for interrogations but not for torture. Thats wrong. I disagree with that completely. They should be able to interrogate them in a totally different way than that. Its stupid in my opinion. But i cant change the minds of our retarded government.

khoapaulvo said...

There are good reasons to torture and there are reasons not to torture. Torturing helps but torturing also hurts. Torturing helps because it helps the army get very important information within the war. In addition, the torture that the terrorists receive teaches them a lesson: DON'T MESS WITH THE U.S. However, very prisoners will cause a problem of that size ever again. And those who do often end up in the wrong place anyhow. What should be done then? Threats, not actual torture, are the answer. The terrorists will be afraid. And we may even get the right info.

Killcycle said...

The use of 'Torture' and 'Other Means' of interrogation are used often, daily in many prisons. However, they should not be used to such an extent. To obtain information is not always a task of destroying a prisoner's body or mind; sometimes all that must happen is to offer them a better future by helping you. Obviously there are those that will completely reject any offers of that kind, and in such situations, more serious forms of interrogation are sometimes necessary. While it is a large part a Humanitarian issue, reality dictates that our enemies will use the same tactics against us, given the chance. The only real difference is that we are 'expected' to be of a 'higher quality'... to show mercy and be the 'good guy', even when our soldiers undergo the same - and in many cases worse - forms of torture. Still, torture should be reserved for only the last resort; imagine a mother attempting to discipline her child. If she attempts to tell them nicely and they refuse, she will become progressively more strict, taking more rights away until there are none. This is usually the most effective method. On the other hand, a mother may choose to go directly to a slap or something of that sort, and while it may work in the short term, in the long run it will only sew the seeds of anger and disrespect. The child will begin to feel rebellious and come to expect the slap, and gain the attitude to fight back what in their minds is oppression. A similar argument can be made against torture; if we use our most extreme methods against every prisoner, they will come to expect it - and as a consequence of that, be more prepared for it, and be more rebellious to it When they are prepared for it, the torture loses it's effectiveness. It is human nature.
So, should the government use torture? Yes... but only in reserve for those that pose the greatest threat.

Tania; said...

Torture is wrong. It disgusts me how some people would go this far just to get information out of someone. There are other ways to get people to talk, maybe they won't work as well as this one, but do we really need to treat people like this to find our solutions?
These people may be keeping things from us, but they have family and friends at home, and I don't think many of us think about that.
I'm against torture.
I think we can do way better.
In my opinion, there will never be world peace, and things like this are why I feel that way.
I know that finding a solution to all this is difficult, I understand that, but the things we are doing are only making the hole we're in deeper.
-Tania; per 2

Esme said...

I dont think that torture should be used in order to obtain information. persuasion sometimes work. torture is wrong and cruel it should not be used in anyway that harms a persons life. just because someone did something wrong that affects the way people look at the rest of the same race, and to show someone that they will get punished they use torture to try and scare the rest off. But at the same time there are reasons to use torture because some peoples lifes might be in danger or the politicals might need the information to protect the countrys right an freedom. when the countrys people might be in danger then it might be right but its still cruel. torture to the extreme deserves punishment to the ones that are delivering it. torture to some people might be going to jail where they arew deprieved of the outside world, that can be applied. sometimes by offering them an option or help they will actually tell you what you want. And sometimes they themselves are being pressured that if they dont it then their family or someone close to them might suffer the consequences. yes other countrys or are enemies might use cruel punishment against us but we are better then them and we wont lower are selfs to that level.
Blanca

Enzo said...

I'm against torture.
I think we can do way better.but im for it too at times. it sometimes works. but then it sometimes doesnt.But i cant change the minds of our retarded government.There are good reasons to torture and there are reasons not to torture.I know that finding a solution to all this is difficult, I understand that, but the things we are doing are only making the hole we're in deeper.so these are my opionnions.so gove needs to step up. or even step off. to help america.

Anonymous said...

hell yeah i think they need to turture the terroist because that probally the only way to find stuff on the terroist.If i was the president i would let it because without that we wouldnt get any information. they deserve to get tourture because the things they have donein the past.a other thing i think is by closeing the jail in cuba was stupid because we should jst leave them there and suffer with the condition. if i was obama i would just kill all the terrioist after they gaveme the informatio. one other thng is that u cant not let these people out without turture because of the record they have on killing poeple.



brian felix
per 4

RicardoV per 4 said...

Personally i don't think they shouldn't use torture. Its wrong and inhuman. Torture should never be used a way to get information. It also depends on the torture they are inflicting on them and why they are doing it to them. Such things as water boarding or whipping or burning or things of such sort should never be used to get information. Torture is never a sure thing that you will get the information or even get the right information. If it was me being tortured personally i would say anything to stop being tortured. It also depends on the person as well.

Ricardo Villarreal
Per 4

Munoz[: said...

The USA should not use the torture technique or any other alternative interrogation techniques! They shouldn't use any of that stuff because when we become prisoners they'll do the same to us. They'll do it to us because we did it to them! And i know that i would never want to be tortured when i ghet captured by an enemy. The terrioris and we, should vlounteer to give answers, if we want to betray our country! Which most of us don't want to. Sometimes torture is good, i guess. Because when we need information and they don't want to give it to us, of course we wiould want to beat them up or something to get all the info from them.


Bryan Munoz
Period 5

xX[Nick Ibarra]Xx P.4 said...

I Think tourture is wrong. At times it can be helpful in gaining information from bad people such as terrorists. Then again it is also wrong because we wouldnt want any of our soldiers being tortured either. On the other hand we also need information from terrorists to help us know more about what they are planning next. They can also help us get answers to questions we dont have answers to. One reason we dont torture them is because America is a good country and proves it by not torturing any prisoners of war we capture. But when they capture any Americans they torture them to the point of death because they are so desperate to gain information about the US. Even though many of our soldiers were prisoners of war in the past many stood strong and didnt give any information which was good.

MPechatsko said...

I personally think that torture is wrong no matter if we need important information from "terrorists". We all have a right to live and just because some one did something wrong we shouldn't torture them. Whats the point of torturing someone and sinking down to an unhumane level. We should be able to have civilized coversation or interrogation. Torture is disgusting and sick.

jackiearias said...

I don’t believe that torture is a way to do any thing. Torture dose not solve any thing it only gives us false information. Not only dose it gives us false info it also can be flawed if we don’t have a tourist in the first place. The terrorist or non terrorist will say any thing to get the torture to stop or get less tortured.
Torture is not only bad because it gives us false information it also is immoral. We are deliberately hurting people for our own benefit, but I don’t believe that the benefits out way the out comes. It may be easy to say that it is for the good of this country but the US that I know should not stand for this and should not tolerate it.

theisen.tyler said...

This is usually the most effective method. On the other hand, a mother may choose to go directly to a slap or something of that sort, and while it may work in the short term, in the long run it will only sew the seeds of anger and disrespect. The child will begin to feel rebellious and come to expect the slap, and gain the attitude to fight back what in their minds is oppression. A similar argument can be made against torture; if we use our most extreme methods against every prisoner, they will come to expect it - and as a consequence of that, be more prepared for it, and be more rebellious to it When they are prepared for it, the torture loses it's effectiveness. It is human nature

Prisila Santana said...

I have both positive and negative views on using torture or "alternative interrogation techniques" to receive information from terrorist suspects. First of all, I think that it is a technique that is able to obtain information that is very useful for the U.S. government. I support using threats and putting those threats into action if our country is undergoing a state of possible danger. A terrorist that has been captured by the U.S. government should be drained of all the information that he/she might carry of plans of attack on our country, but only if it is proven that they are terrorists. If there is a person who is a "suspected" terrorist, it would not be humane to make them undergo a state of physical, mental and even emotional stress. What if it turns out that a person has nothing to do with terrorism? In order to cease terrorism, the U.S. needs a method of intense interrogation in order to show terrorist groups that their actions are taken very seriously and will be dealt with in the most effective manner possible. It is upsetting that torture has to be used by our democracy, but otherwise, we won’t be protected from terrorist attacks. The reason why I don’t think that “alternative interrogation techniques” should be used is because it is something that inflicts pain on a person, possibly traumatizing someone. A non-guilty “suspect” might have to go through this experience, which can lead to a psychological trauma. I believe that when a person has caused pain or suffering to someone, they can repent from their cruel actions and be of a good use in order to stop this from happening somewhere else. If the harm is not yet done, then there should be deep investigations and interrogations going on to keep it from occurring.

stephany said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
stephany said...

Personally i think torture is wrong. No one deserves to be put through any type of hell. Some of the people they get an torture are innocent people. What makes us any diffrent then the people terrorizing out country if we do the same to their people. Sometimes the people who are caught are being threatened and will not say anything just to protect thier family.Torture is wrong, and it should not be used to gain information, its wrong and cruel. Some people are being forced to torture other people, and they have that wieght to bare. Torture is not right, no matter what.

-stephany hernadez
per2

Msalas said...

I do not think so. It is morally wrong to torture a human being or any living thing.For example, Water boarding is where they pour water on their face to make them feel as if they are drowning. That is wrong! I just think torture in general is wrong and should not be used to get answers for something. There are alternative methods to get information out that don't involve slamming someones head into a wall or driving them to insanity

sleven said...

Torture has its ups and downs. Torture helps obtain important information from the enemy. Also,that lesser men will be discourage to be the enemy of a powerful nation. The downside to torture is that if you imprison someone who is not a criminal and begin to torture them to pull information, then release them, they shall become an enemy to the nation that torture them. Another is that torture always brings information out of the person being torture, it is up to the person who is doing the torture to believe or continue the work. This means that even if you tell the torturer the information that they seek, they might not believe you. This is one of then main issues about torture, as well as the fact of what types of torture is being done. Do I believe torture should be used, of course i do. If my enemy uses torture against me, then I shall use it to. Even if I am expected to be the one that is above it. In war, anything and everything can be used.

March_Of_Sand said...

Yes, I think that the U.S. should use torture and "alternative interrogation techniques" to obtain information from terrorists. How else are they gonna get information from the terrorists? If some terrorists dont talk while being tortured, why would they talk without being tortured? Also, torturing terrorists can get you some valuable information which can save soldier and civilian lives. But then again you never know if the information is correct or not. I can also see how the other side says its cruel and not humane, though. But I think that the possibility of saving American soldiers lives is more important. So yes I do think they should use torture on terrorists.

VickiNESS said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
VickiNESS said...

I think tortue is efective, if used in the right situation. Torturing one terrorists to get information that will potentially save thousands of people, then why not? Although, they should not go directly to torture, they should only use it if absolutely necesary. Other means of interrigation should be used before resorting to physical or emotional harm, which in my opinion is wrong, maybe threats of possible physical harm but not accually putting it into action. We have to kind of "walk in the other countries shoes," if one of our soldiers were taken pisoner, would we want them to be cruelly tortured? We all know the laws that suposedly is suposed to protect our soldiers from this sort of things, but in reality if we dont really follow those laws, how are we to expect them to be any different and we are the ones held to higher standards.
-period 2

Pedro A Maldonado said...

I seriously dont think the US should use torture or other interrogation techniques in order to recieve information from terrorists suspects or prisoners of war. I strongly believe that prisoners of war should be given a humanely treatment. I dont think anyone deserves to be tortured. They should develope new ways of interrogation which would not involve any mental or physical harm. Some poeple agree that when it comes to a matter of national security or something like that torture is jutified, or sometimes they even say that it isn't actual torture. The definition of torture clearly states that any extreme anguish of body or mind is considered torture so why would paople think that torture isn't really torture. In my opinion i think that prisoners of war should be protected by some universal laws against torture. I understand that when it comes to terrorism countries want to be as prepared as possible with as much information as they can but why do they automaticallty opt to torture prisones of war to get that crucial information. ??

Bryan V. said...

I do think interrogation and torture should be used to obtain information from terrorist. I also think that it maters what scenario it is. If it involves saving many other lives i do think that they should do whatever it takes to obtain this information.Personally I dont think that the method of creating a relationship with the prisoner works. It seems pointless and a waste of time. This process takes time and this information should be obtained as quick as possible. Torture is the last resort that works and could help prevent future terrorist attacks. A terrorist attack is the last thing we need going on right now. Especially with all the talk about health care going on right now. In conclusion the reason why torture is being used now is because its working.

scott toreres eg6 said...

well you got to do what you got to do to get the information that you need. I mean some stuff that they do might be inhumane. I think that it is alright to torture terrorist for some information. Also what else are you supposed to do if these people have done nothing but terrorize the society. So in a way the kinda deserve this. But also there are some innocent people in there. They don't deserve this. Also what other way can we get information if we don't torture them. If there is another way u should let the gov. know. So yes i do believe in torture in order to get information.

Jessika Caudel said...

No, torture should not be used to receive information from suspected terrorists. I think this because how many times have we been suspected of torturing suspected terrorists and they turn out to not be terrorists? I think that it has happened to a lot of suspected terrorists. Is that not the main reason we went to Iraq in the first place? Because a suspected terrorist was tortured until he gave up information on the 9-11 attacks. It does not matter what form of torture is used because it is all bad. I think that all forms of torture should be stopped and those who inflicted the torture should be prosecuted. I'm not saying that questioning people is bad or anything I just think that when you are inflicting pain or mentally handicapping them that it should not be allowed. I think that there is a better way to get your or our information then torturing people. Especially when you do not know for a fact that they are a terrorist.

$D@NNYBOY$ said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
$D@NNYBOY$ said...

Looking up to the aspects of torture in the U.S seems to be so negative. For me i do agree upon that the way to get out them details from terrorists is to actually torture them. Now the fact for this is say they are up to something in which involves killing many innocent people such as 9/11, well to save the people we do expect to get to the bottom for a solution right. Well since they are terrorists they will not tell people what their objective is. Even though we do say things nicely to them they still won't tell us. So, in this case the only way to atleast get some info or more torture is the way to go. They will end up saying things that we would want to hear since they become to afraid and fragile from these torture actions. They will not handle the torture which will make them give up.

-Daniel Castaneda
-Period 2

L.Mejia said...

I don't think they should use torture.No one deserves it in any way.I think that some terrorists wont even talk,which they rather die.Also if you think about it some will just give out the wrong information just to survive.So who really knows if there telling the truth or not.So they should just think of a better solution to torturing.Yeah,it might be hard to think of one.But theres challenges for everything.

:] said...

I can honestly say violence isnt the answer.So i say torture is a no no . Thats just so sad and even tho they are catagorized as being terrorists they shouldnt be torturing them just to get answers. I find that very crueli think the united states can find another way of getting answers from these people who are bieng tortured. Sometimes these people beaing tortured are really innocent and have no clue yet thier geting harmed.Yeah i understand that they have tooken many peoples lives but tortoring is just so un human like they are going to end up going to hell isnt that "torture " enough being never forgivin from thier sin.Well thats my opinion i believe that thier can be world peace and all that torture stuff and terrorism and war should be set aside.Torture is no good for anyone.The us should not be that cruel and find other ways of actually getting the truth not some lame lies.So torture should not be used.

Torres I.
4th per :]

joseleonel said...

My personally opinion is torture is a bad way to receive information from terrorist suspect but it is good in some way. Torturing a terrorist shouldn’t go out of hand. To gather information from terrorists we should make sure it’s a right guy we know that is going to have something. We don’t want to torture someone that doesn’t know anything at all. Eventually the terrorist is just going to tell lie about the information. Then were going to do something that were going to regret because of the false information. As well as, we shouldn’t treat a terrorist bad. It’s not right to treat some human being like an animal.

Jose Samayoa

Trever Strand said...

Question of the Week Response:
The debate over torture is a heated and controversial one especially at such a pivotal time in our nation’s history. With the body count rising every day in the war on terror “alternative interrogation methods” or torture are as necessary now as ever. Unfortunately, torture is a part of war and always has been; it plays a crucial role in gaining intelligence when used correctly. When people are known conspirators of terrorist attacks or played any crucial role in the execution or planning of said attacks I believe torture is more than justified to extract sensitive information. This especially applies if that sensitive information could play a role in protecting additional American and foreign innocent lives. Some of my opponents on this issue may say that no person deserves to be tortured. This would be fine and dandy in a perfect world but unfortunately we live in reality; information gained from these interrogations plays a large role in current international affairs and possibly saves innocent lives everyday. The physical discomfort of some known terrorists is far outweighed by saving innocent lives.

Individual Responses:
“just because someone did something wrong that affects the way people look at the rest of the same race, and to show someone that they will get punished they use torture to try and scare the rest off”

The American soldiers currently deployed in the Middle East are not simply plucking people of Middle Eastern decent out of crowds and shipping them to various detention centers. Current detainees or prisoners of war if you prefer are in American custody for a reason. Just in case you were wondering, no that reason is not to deter other people from following in similar footsteps.


“The USA should not use the torture technique or any other alternative interrogation techniques! They shouldn't use any of that stuff because when we become prisoners they'll do the same to us. They'll do it to us because we did it to them!”

American P.O.W.’s have already been tortured by insurgents and terrorists during The Gulf War dating before the incidents committed by U.S. forces. Therefore they do not torture American hostages out of retaliation they do it because of a deep seated hatred of western civilization along with many other reasons.


And in conclusion I would like to remind my peers to USE PROPER GRAMMAR AND SPELLING.

crowntown23 said...

I dont think having to use torture is a good way!!! i think they should use alternative way!! because using torture would just bring us down to their levels!! and so many terrorists are use to being torture because thats what they believe in, but using alternative would be a better way because some terrorists might give information or might not.but using torture is not a good way to go.

Desire brown
per.4

Anthony_Zomb said...

Torture has been used to retrieve information in America for many years. Although it may seem wrong to treat humankind in a hostile way, terrorism is something that should be unacceptable. If it takes to torture one life to save thousands even millions then the ideal cost is worth it. The idea of people not using any power or method to save others lives should be allowed. However thanks to the Geneva conventions and the rules made to protect mankind against these methods, America has its limits. Though the Geneva conventions did have their point, even some acts of torture go over the line. One example would be the popularity of water boarding used on interrogation. The torture of creating the illusion of drowning while beating the victim shows the true ugly side of the truth on how desperate people want answers. But who can blame them? Fear is a strong root on booth sides of torture and possible why its frowned upon. Until America can feel safe I stand for torture used but with certain lines not to cross.

-Anthony “ Legendary air guitarist” Ybarra

socalnick said...

Response:

Torture is a heavily debated topic as we see here. I beleive that it is ok for the US to torture Terrorists/Possible Bombers or anyone they deem a threat to National Security. If we would have interrogated suspects pre 9/11 which the anniversary is coming up soon, maybe we wouldn't have lost some of the bravest men and women alive. Or the Fathers, Daughters, Mothers and Sons that were so abruptly taken that Spetember morning. I have no problem in my conscience to "obtain" inofrmation by any means possible, especially if its means the lives of the people around me or like me.

Some people are oblivious to the fact that only the United States tortures people. Wrong. The best xample I can think of is October 3rd through 5th of 1993 in Mogadishu, Somalia. Operation Gothic Serpent (BLack Hawk DOwn) to me shows what the enemy is like. Uh-60 Helicopters crashed and the pilots,and crew cheifs of the helicopters were dragged out of their airship, beaten, stripped of clothing and chopped up. Does the U.S really compare to their torture techniques? The U.S if anything treats the enemie prisoners with some respect.

Camp X-Ray, as seen in the video today is a high stress prison. It is made to break down the prisoner to want to give information. The video we watched made it seem like the U.S just want to hurt and beat the prisoners, WRONG. They are trying to prevent another tragic event from happening.

I can go on for days about this topic and you will see that on the debate day.

Disclaimer: If anyone doesnt agree with what I said, try watching doumentaries on WW2- Vietnam POW viedos. Then watch Black Hawk Down, or pull me aside anytime in class and we can discuss it.

Schroder 2

Adrian2010 said...

I am totally for torture being committed on suspected terrorists. Why should we risk any amount of Americans lives over a scum of the earth terrorist. They obviously wouldn't have gotten themselves into the situation if they weren’t affiliated with the threats to our nation. If we aren’t as brutal on someone then what will make them take us serious and prevent them from hurting our citizens? Just like any criminal in the United States, going to jail isn’t even a big deal any more so people aren’t afraid to go back. How can you let someone slide by that wants to hurt all of the innocent people in our home country. The terrorists are the evil ones who sometimes need a taste of their own medicine. They are the inhumane ones, just look at the waterboarding techniques used by the C.I.A to torture the suspects. In doing so terrorist attacks were prevented. If we wouldn’t have done anything then there could have been another tragedy like 9/11. Why should we treat someone right with the intention of murdering every American they can? The videos in class tried making America look bad for torturing people but the only reason it has been done is to protect our nation.

marielly said...

yes, i know terrorists do bad things or have caused cruelty. but who is there to say that they can just torture who ever they want??? they certainly cant. there is no reason to do that. no matter how they torture one another but they cant. not if its mentaly, not if its phisically, not if its pschycologicaly!!! they shouldnt cause harm to ANY human being no matter what they have done!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

I think it's necessary to torture foriegn or domestic criminals in order to get useful information. For foriegn criminals it is even more so because the majority of them are already fully willing to die for their cause. By useing torture it breaks that willingness to die. Also if criminals know that nothing extreme will happen to them, then what would prevent them from continueing their cause or to tell us(meaning the person who captured them) what we want to know. And the same could also be said for domestic criminals as well

autumnnn said...

Yes, I believe that the United States should use torture to recieve information from potential terrorist in only extreme situations. To me, the life of the enemy is not as important as the life of Americans. I believe if the life of one needs to be risked to save the lives of many it is worth it. Torture is a necessary method to help the United States recieve information, although i am for torture i believe it should only be used in certain circumstances. I dont think an innocent bystander should be interregated under false pretenses. We should atleast have some proof that the person that will be interregated may have some information, we should not "pull random people off the street" and hope they have something to tell us. Therefore, I am for torture, i believe it could potentially save lives of many under certain circumstances.

aubrianne said...

Overall i have very mixed feelings about this issue. I don not believe that torture is ever okay and i don't think it should be used. I mean its harmful cruel and a sick thing to do to another human being. However i will acknowledge the fact that it has helped in obtaining important information that has saved lives or could save lives. Many would find torture cruel if done to an innocent person but if they're a suspected terrorist they think its okay. But what people need to acknowledge is that some of the prisoners of war really don't have the information we need and were simply soldiers fighting for their country, that's no different than what our troops do every day. I believe there are other way for one to get information without resorting to such medieval methods. Torture is wrong and it doesn't only harm the people enduring but think of the people inflicting the torture you can't say that they do that day in and day out and aren't affected. Torture is a horrible method in finding information and i don't ever think i could ever view it as an okay thing to do even to horrible terrorists.

TheDeuce said...

The United States should be able to use torture for two reasons. Reason number one being that we need information. Information that will not only help us on the battlefield but that could also save the lives of American civilians. I don't care how we get the information as long as we get it. And if they won't give any credible information then just shoot them, one of them will talk eventually and it would be saving American lives anyway. My second reason is that they are treating our POWs worse than we are treating theirs anyway. We should not be limited to just "baby-ing" the terrorists that we catch while they pick our POWs off one-by-one. These men are not worth the rights of the Geneva Convention. Hell, they shouldn't have any rights. They have committed acts of terror and are below our respect. Just let our interrogaters torture the little girls!

n8dog said...

I am 50/50 I think they should use torture but at a certain extent. I agree it’s wrong and cruel, but so is killing 500. These people are terrorists not your best friend. I also agree that some are innocent and should not be tortured because that sucks. This is a country of innocent until proven guilty. Then again if they were seen full on killing someone or suspected of knowing something they have the right to use torture to get that information they think they need. I think this because what if we let them go... they kill 500 more people then its there fault. Once there captured and seen murdering they should be marked with a red tag and they are in that prison for life. Also if they murdered and are suspected of knowing something a red and blue tag or someway of identification. Then if they are unsure they should have a yellow tag. The ones that are yellow tagged should be questioned with out torture if suspected kept in prison with out torture. If they are unsuspected of wrong doing and probably are innocent to be let go but to know where they are. They should be traced somehow for the first week. I believe if they were seen killing and are suspected of knowing something, using torture is acceptable. I believe the quote "eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth"

shesunlatylike said...

No, I do not think that people should use torture as a form of interrogation,let alone the U.S. Just because they are prisoners of war doesn't mean they're not human beings. I find this very disturbing to find out how our citizens are treating other people in the world while trying to "achive peace". Its not fair that someone can get pulled out of their homes and be taken to a camp to be "interrogated". Just because their not true prisoners doesn't mean they could be stripped from human rights. In america we are all innocent until proven guilty, how come that can't apply to them. You dont see people who are getting interrogated on t.v. get slaped around, having harmful things said to them, or striking fear in people just to get them to talk. Has it ever occoured that the prisoners really don't have any information to give them. I think that the people we call our soilders forgot what we really belived in as a nation, which is no abuse. SO why when we get to another country we dont call home, it's okay. IT'S NOT.

elyana_partida_#55 said...

Should the United States use torture or other "alternative interrogation techniques" in order to receive information from terrorist suspects? i so disagree with using torture that is so wrong in so many ways. i believe that god made us all equal and my saying that we should respect each an ever one.its scary to know that your own country is doing that to get back at iraq. some people say that toeture helps? in what way? thats my question half the people that do get torture are normal people like you and me. there a saying " treat people how you wanted to be treated" and its truth you wont wanna be totured for something you didnt do or something you dont know.but what cant you do? you cant change how the are dumass gov. works its just wrong. however i do think terroist should be treated in a different way because they did want to hurt are country look what happened on sept. 11. so i changed my mind i disagree and agree with the ? of the week.

J.Kraft said...

Torture isnt the best way to deal with interrogations. i believe it should be used to an extent. There are other ways to get information out of the terrorists. Think, what would make you give up information?
Perhaps some kind of bribe. People would give up information just to get out of the prisons. Seriously damaging their bodies and minds to get out information that may not even be valid information is not the way to handle it. Threats should be used more then physical torture. We have tried the torture technique for years and it obviously hasnt helped. Its time to try a new technique.

mis@3l said...

i think that torture should be used but their should be a limit on what you can do to the person.but i also think that it shouldn't be used because there are people that do not follow the rules on what you can do to the people that are being interrogated.but it also helps us to get info from them because they dont care about their own life and are willing to die and kill a lot of innocent people.so i think that torturing to the interrogated should be allowed but there should be a limit . it helps to save a lot of innocent people. and idont think that they should not have any rights when they want to die in order to kill people and attack the u.s

Berenice Nava per-4 said...

I don't think the U.S. should use torture or other techniques to get information about terrorist. In my opinion every person should be treated with respect. They should interrogate people but in a human way. Guantanamo Bay should be used in a good way and not to torture people. Even though others countries used a torture way to get information about terrorist, the U.S. should be more powerful by getting information about terrorist by using humans ways of thinking. People who think torture is a good way to get information about terrorist are wrong because it's a human way to get information. I totally disagree with torture. In my own point of view, I think that people who are being torture have the strength to think clearly of what they asking for. I think that the only thing they can think about is the form they are being torture. There are a lot more form to get information about terrorist than torture people.

mis@3l said...

i think that torture should be used but their should be a limit on what you can do to the person.but i also think that it shouldn't be used because there are people that do not follow the rules on what you can do to the people that are being interrogated.but it also helps us to get info from them because they dont care about their own life and are willing to die and kill a lot of innocent people.so i think that torturing to the interrogated should be allowed but there should be a limit . it helps to save a lot of innocent people. and idont think that they should not have any rights when they want to die in order to kill people and attack the u.s

mis@3l said...

i think that torture should be used but their should be a limit on what you can do to the person.but i also think that it shouldn't be used because there are people that do not follow the rules on what you can do to the people that are being interrogated.but it also helps us to get info from them because they dont care about their own life and are willing to die and kill a lot of innocent people.so i think that torturing to the interrogated should be allowed but there should be a limit . it helps to save a lot of innocent people. and idont think that they should not have any rights when they want to die in order to kill people and attack the u.s

mis@3l said...

i think that torture should be used but their should be a limit on what you can do to the person.but i also think that it shouldn't be used because there are people that do not follow the rules on what you can do to the people that are being interrogated.but it also helps us to get info from them because they dont care about their own life and are willing to die and kill a lot of innocent people.so i think that torturing to the interrogated should be allowed but there should be a limit . it helps to save a lot of innocent people. and idont think that they should not have any rights when they want to die in order to kill people and attack the u.s

Aaron Beltran said...

i think that torture should be used as a last resource to get information out of an individual. the reasons why are, first we don't know if the person is a terrorist. second if the guy is a terrorist we don't know if he is giving us the truth just to get out of pain. thirdly the psychological torment given will have a long term affect. there will always be that "what if" factor. there is an article on how torture was not used on Bin Ladens closest body guard and only through mere respect to the individual all the information that was need was given with out a fight or torture. the first method that should be used in interrogation should be patience and respect. to look at these terrorist as just another human being. because once we lose that and anger and pain are used, we get blinded and lose the control. now if the terrorist our criminal abuses of our courtesy then the next option is torture. but first implement patience and respect then if it does not work, torture.

Brett G.p4 said...

i honestly think that torture should be used. it has been on and used for years and years before.the united staes should be doing torture why? because it could acually save many lives as we know it. torturing is pretty much the only way we can get information out of a person. that person could most likely be a terrorist that has been capured and now we need to know what there next move would be. if we wouldnt torture and get that information out many inncocent people could die. and i also think they deserved it they know there beeing bad guys so suffer the cosequenses.

RaygozaP said...

The United States should not use torture as a technique to retrieve information from terrorists! There is no exact prove that torture has led to a prevention towards a terrorist attack. As the article says "most successful interrogation of an Al-Qaeda operative by U.S. officials required no sleep deprivation, no slapping or "walling" and no water boarding". Which this leads to the question what is intellectual about torture and violence? It’s basically a "psycho-path" tactic, that shouldn't be used on people, or even have created a duty about it. Torture is abusing the universal rights of a human being. In this case, it blackens the American status in this world; because “supposedly”, the United States is “democratic” and is one of the G-8 countries. As senator McCain reported that his friend was a victim in torture through water-boarding during the Vietnam War; it is more evident that the United States shouldn’t be repeating the same methods as previous countries did! The CIA agency has completely lost control, wherefore instead of using technology or justified interrogation techniques; they are aggressively creating false assumptions towards many innocent people in Iraq. This current situation is very similar to the “submarine” torture in Cuba, which erupted throughout Augusto Pinochet's 17-year-long dictatorship. “Submarino became a popular tool for military interrogators, in part because it left relatively few permanent physical marks.” This is exactly what the CIA claims! That the torture techniques being used in the prison are “safe and sound”. However, the group of psychologist later claim that submarine has a long-term psychological effect, throughout a fear of “control”. In this case, it’s strongly considered a form of torture! The United States should realize the destructive impact their causing, and figure out a more “intelligent” way of retrieving the “correct” information. It also clearly states in one of the articles that “There has been little heard since about the "Second Wave Attacks," so without more documents declassified, it can be assumed that Khalid Sheikh Mohammed (terrorist suspect) made it up to stop the waterboarding.” There is no necessity in having a prison full of people, being attacked in the most indigenous way. Humans should be treated like humans.

estefania_torres2010 said...

uhhh..this is hard especially since im a person with a big heart and i dont like seening people get hurt blah blah blah. There is some resons why torture would not be approved and theres other sittuations were maybe a form of torture should be played. In my opinion it all depends on the situation. If the man is just some good for nothing criminal and the U.S. "thinks" hes a terrorist, thats were i think torture should not be done. Now lets say the guy is some bad guy, that the US has been looking for, yes a certain form of torture should be used if he dosent. Also in the videos we were watching in class on thursday and frieday it explained some forms of torture that the United States performs with there prisoners. Some of the torture techniques were so not necessary. Some were so cruel even for prisoners to be put through that kind of torture. So my final opinion would be yes but a more lower level of torture. Like 10 more times lower!
Estefania Torres

estefania_torres2010 said...

This is hard for me because i dont like violence but aside from that i think that it all depends on what the situation is. For example, if its a poor civilian who just happens to be in the wrong place at he wrong time,no it should not be permited. Now if it was a terrorist who the United States has been looking for, then of course a little torture deserves him right. It is hard for me to say but as hard as it is i have to say the truth, in some situations torture it permited. Now the torture that Guantanamo bay and camp x are performing is not the torture i was thinking of. They perform torutre to an extreme that i think not even a terrorist should go through. There is a fine line between torturing somebody and just violating them as humans. All humans are the same good or bad. So yes torture should be permited but to a certain extent.

Estefania Torres

leslie said...

i don't thik te U.S. should use torture at any time. i disagree 100% with torture how do you now if the person who is being torture its going to say the truth, the most ovious thing is that they're going to say whatever they want just to stop suffering i think the U.S. should use other techniques to get information without hurting any people torture is just cruel, all people deserve to be treated right also how do you know if the person you're torturing is guilty? what if that person is innocent. i'm really against tourturig

Leslie Bedoy
Period 4

Guda1992 said...

Yes i do think they should use a little torture and not alot. because if you dont use it your not going to get alot out of them and just let them go, then they are just going to harm more innocent people and the governemnt is ging to have more problems than anything but when you do torture them then you get more answers out of them or information that you need. but also when you try getting information out of them it may not be true. and just tortureing them may not be the absolute solution.