Comments on: Torturing Ourselves http://themoderatevoice.com/29849/torturing-ourselves/ An Internet hub for moderates, centrists, and independents, with domestic and international news, analysis, original reporting, and popular features from the left, center, and right Mon, 15 Mar 2010 20:46:14 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: GreenDreams http://themoderatevoice.com/29849/torturing-ourselves/comment-page-1/#comment-181794 GreenDreams Fri, 24 Apr 2009 16:23:14 +0000 http://themoderatevoice.com/?p=29849#comment-181794 Not so fast. The solution to murky gray areas is found in the rule of law and international treaties on which we, America, led the charge. So deplorable was torture by waterboard, for example, that we executed Japanese soldiers who did that to ours. We wanted to send the strongest possible message that such practices will not be tolerated in a civilized world. Then we went about trying to put the nuclear genie back in the bottle with more laws and treaties, because we didn't want to see these weapons used by anyone ever again.<br><br>Now there's a serious debate about whether or not to attack Iran for advancing their nuclear program. But of course, Iranians may well have the same feelings about it that we did during WWII. "Iranian lives would be protected by us having the bomb. It could prevent a future attack from terrorists (Israel in this case)." I'm not saying that's correct. What I'm saying is that nations do not agree about who are the bad guys. Laws and treaties exist to clarify what you CAN'T do to people you consider bad guys. <br><br>It is dangerous for us to back away from law and treaty. If we now consider that there are cases in which the laws don't apply, we invite others to do the same. Not so fast. The solution to murky gray areas is found in the rule of law and international treaties on which we, America, led the charge. So deplorable was torture by waterboard, for example, that we executed Japanese soldiers who did that to ours. We wanted to send the strongest possible message that such practices will not be tolerated in a civilized world. Then we went about trying to put the nuclear genie back in the bottle with more laws and treaties, because we didn't want to see these weapons used by anyone ever again.

Now there's a serious debate about whether or not to attack Iran for advancing their nuclear program. But of course, Iranians may well have the same feelings about it that we did during WWII. “Iranian lives would be protected by us having the bomb. It could prevent a future attack from terrorists (Israel in this case).” I'm not saying that's correct. What I'm saying is that nations do not agree about who are the bad guys. Laws and treaties exist to clarify what you CAN'T do to people you consider bad guys.

It is dangerous for us to back away from law and treaty. If we now consider that there are cases in which the laws don't apply, we invite others to do the same.

]]> By: Marlowecan http://themoderatevoice.com/29849/torturing-ourselves/comment-page-1/#comment-181786 Marlowecan Fri, 24 Apr 2009 15:58:40 +0000 http://themoderatevoice.com/?p=29849#comment-181786 Heh-heh. <br><br>True, Steve.<br><br><br>**And for his next feat of supernatural prestidigation, this weekend Robert Stein will not only make the Sahara bloom...but he will bring peace between Yankee and Red Sox fans!**<br><br>...all here at The Moderate Voice... Heh-heh.

True, Steve.

**And for his next feat of supernatural prestidigation, this weekend Robert Stein will not only make the Sahara bloom…but he will bring peace between Yankee and Red Sox fans!**

…all here at The Moderate Voice…

]]> By: SteveK http://themoderatevoice.com/29849/torturing-ourselves/comment-page-1/#comment-181722 SteveK Fri, 24 Apr 2009 05:05:01 +0000 http://themoderatevoice.com/?p=29849#comment-181722 Thank you for your excellent post Robert. You seem to have done the impossible... something I thought would never happen... <br><br>In the era of Global Warming something just froze over... and I totally agree with Silhouette and Marlowecan! :) Good eyes on the both of you. Thank you for your excellent post Robert. You seem to have done the impossible… something I thought would never happen…

In the era of Global Warming something just froze over… and I totally agree with Silhouette and Marlowecan! :) Good eyes on the both of you.

]]> By: Marlowecan http://themoderatevoice.com/29849/torturing-ourselves/comment-page-1/#comment-181721 Marlowecan Fri, 24 Apr 2009 04:56:26 +0000 http://themoderatevoice.com/?p=29849#comment-181721 This is a very well written piece by Mr. Stein. <br><br>Although it is brief, I believe it to be one of the best commentaries on this issue that I have read. This is a very well written piece by Mr. Stein.

Although it is brief, I believe it to be one of the best commentaries on this issue that I have read.

]]> By: Silhouette http://themoderatevoice.com/29849/torturing-ourselves/comment-page-1/#comment-181714 Silhouette Fri, 24 Apr 2009 03:53:25 +0000 http://themoderatevoice.com/?p=29849#comment-181714 Right on.<br><br>I was wondering when the sages would weigh in on the matter. WWII veterans are like Gods in my opinion. True heros who know what's what. I'd like to see them as a group, those that remain, make a collective public statement on the matter.<br><br>Talk about weighty! Right on.

I was wondering when the sages would weigh in on the matter. WWII veterans are like Gods in my opinion. True heros who know what's what. I'd like to see them as a group, those that remain, make a collective public statement on the matter.

Talk about weighty!

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