Torture light, just one calorie!

The concept that US torture in Guantanamo Bay is somehow "okay" because it isn't to the same scale seen in other parts of the world is bullshit. This is for two primary reasons.

First, this is a nation ruled by law. And as such, torture and other such psycologically subversive means of gaining information have no place. The Constitution and Bill of Rights today now gurantee individual rights that must be respected by the government.

Second, it's not reliable information. Generally most people who read this would tell anyone just about anything if beaten enough. We idolize fake characters who can endure torture in movies and TV, but the actual sensation of pain forces us to acquiesce to any command. How does one legitmately convict another person under such means?

Torture does not work both functionally and legally. Even if the US does not meet the lofty standards set by the Inquisition, that does not give it moral justification. Participation in such events in any degree is disgusting.

For more information, hit http://www.amnesty.org/resources/pdf/combating_torture/combating_torture.pdf, it'll rile you up like it has me with this blog.