Friday, May 1, 2009

Torture? Never! Except...

On torture, Charles Krauthammer nails it.

Torture is an impermissible evil. Except under two circumstances. The first is the ticking time bomb. An innocent's life is at stake. The bad guy you have captured possesses information that could save this life. He refuses to divulge. In such a case, the choice is easy. Even John McCain, the most admirable and estimable torture opponent, says openly that in such circumstances, "You do what you have to do." And then take the responsibility.

Some people, however, believe you never torture. Ever. They are akin to conscientious objectors who will never fight in any war under any circumstances, and for whom we correctly show respect by exempting them from war duty. But we would never make one of them Centcom commander. Private principles are fine, but you don't entrust such a person with the military decisions upon which hinges the safety of the nation. It is similarly imprudent to have a person who would abjure torture in all circumstances making national security decisions upon which depends the protection of 300 million countrymen.

Read it all, especially the end when he comes to the "contemptible" behavior of Nancy Pelosi and others.

3 Comments:

Anonymous Andre said...

Is Krauthammer admitting that water boarding is torture?

May 3, 2009 at 2:25 AM 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

How is waterboarding or sleep deprivation torture? Is being forced to listen to Barbara Streisand also torture?

May 6, 2009 at 6:31 AM 
Anonymous Andre said...

If you read the story, Krauthammer seems to think waterboarding is torture. So does McCain, and I would consider him to be an authority on the subject. And yes, being forced to listen to Streisand would be considered cruel and unusual.

May 6, 2009 at 1:11 PM 

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