Nichols & Mcveigh and 'enhanced interrogation'

[8ballrollin]

Originally Posted by 8ballrollin

I guess that's not what I'm asking. I'm going back to the 'ticking bomb' scenario, here on US soil. Why not torture an American citizen if it can save 1 million lives?

back to this question...Anyone?

[Archaea]

Originally Posted by 8ballrollin

back to this question...Anyone?

Because our civil liberties are worth more than that and the torture of the citizen has not proved to be reliable.

[Tex]

Originally Posted by 8ballrollin

back to this question...Anyone?

I think the ticking-time-bomb scenario is largely contrived. If there were conclusive proof that torturing (definition is open) someone would immediately save one million lives, then I'd be hard pressed to say "no, don't do it."

But this is almost certainly a purely hypothetical situation. I don't think there's a concrete example that even approximates it. Usually the lines are very broad and very gray.

[Archaea]

Originally Posted by Tex

I think the ticking-time-bomb scenarios is largely contrived.

But this is almost certainly a purely hypothetical situation. I don't think there's a concrete example that even approximates it. Usually the lines are very broad and very gray.

That's correct.

Outside of movies, the ticking time bomb doesn't exist.

[All-American]

Originally Posted by Tex

I think the ticking-time-bomb scenario is largely contrived. If there were conclusive proof that torturing (definition is open) someone would immediately save one million lives, then I'd be hard pressed to say "no, don't do it."

But this is almost certainly a purely hypothetical situation. I don't think there's a concrete example that even approximates it. Usually the lines are very broad and very gray.

I'll drink to that.

[8ballrollin]

Originally Posted by Tex

I think the ticking-time-bomb scenario is largely contrived. If there were conclusive proof that torturing (definition is open) someone would immediately save one million lives, then I'd be hard pressed to say "no, don't do it."

But this is almost certainly a purely hypothetical situation. I don't think there's a concrete example that even approximates it. Usually the lines are very broad and very gray.

Obviously, it is a hypothetical. But any discussion on torture uses hypotheticals, I don't see how you're going to escape them.

And the ticking bomb hypo is one on which many people base their opinion, pro or con, i.e. McCain...

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10019179...wsweek/page/2/

"Those who argue the necessity of some abuses raise an important dilemma as their most compelling rationale: the ticking-time-bomb scenario. What do we do if we capture a terrorist who we have sound reasons to believe possesses specific knowledge of an imminent terrorist attack?"

[8ballrollin]

Originally Posted by Archaea

That's correct.

Outside of movies, the ticking time bomb doesn't exist.

thanks. I was worried for a minute there.

[Cali Coug]

Originally Posted by Tex

I'm not sure I understand your contention here. Are you arguing there are no additional rights that Americans enjoy that non-Americans do not?

Sure, there are many. Namely those that we as a nation do not find to be inalienable. Are you arguing that torturing people does not violate any inalienable rights that we, as a nation in our most solemn documents, have stated apply to all men as equals upon birth?

[Tex]

Originally Posted by Cali Coug

Sure, there are many. Namely those that we as a nation do not find to be inalienable. Are you arguing that torturing people does not violate any inalienable rights that we, as a nation in our most solemn documents, have stated apply to all men as equals upon birth?

Glad to have you back Cali. I missed have someone around to constantly warp my position.

My only assertion in this thread is that McVeigh ought to have (and did get) rights that foreign members of al-Qaeda ought not (and would not) get, by virtue of his citizenship.

It doesn't not matter that the end result of their horrible acts are the same. Citizenship means something.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Originally Posted by Tex

I missed have someone around to constantly warp my position.

You just relish this martyr persona, don't you?