Blood lust leads to torture
By Mary AllanReporter, The VOICE
In the wake of September 11, 2001, devastated and outraged Americans would have done just about anything to seek revenge and to make sure this kind of thing never happened again, understandable. However, does this include torture, beatings, electric shock, sleep deprivation, sexual humiliation, sodomy and scores of other abuses? Did the Bush Administration react excessively to the people's bloodlust?
According to Senate Armed Services Committee report he did. The exhaustive report detailed direct links between the CIA's harsh interrogation program and abuse of prisoners at the US prison in Cuba's Guantanamo Bay, in Afghanistan, and in Iraqis' Abu Ghraib prison. The Bush administration justified the harsh interrogation treatment by saying that we have not had another incident like Sept. 11 on our shores.
This is true. However can torture ever be justified? Some say yes, if it serves the greater good. Others say that it means we are coming closer to "the end justifies the means" mentality of terrorists. Many people may secretly say to themselves, "go ahead" but that is an emotional response. Clearer heads must prevail.
The powers that be need to acknowledge the people's feelings, but in the end they need to be prudent and far-sighted. They need a clear head, a cool hand, and a keen intellect. I think, with President Barack Obama, we have the man for the job.
Please send comments to mcallan@gccvoice.com
