VI. Civil and Human Rights?
The need for rethinking interrogation doctrine in the war on terror will not go away, however. The Islamist enemy is unlike any the military has encountered in the past. If current wisdom on the rules of war prohibits making any distinction between a terrorist and a lawful combatant, then that orthodoxy needs to changeNow here it is. The 'ticking bomb'. Imagine: (if you can't – watch 24!) they got him. 'Him' being the 'terrorist' with the necessary information to find and deactivate the bomb. He's held by the proper authorities and even sneeringly confessing. The hatred is sweating out of him and he's is cursing us with a 'holy war' and a 'dirty' bomb planted somewhere in our biggest cities?Heather Mac Donald
What are we going to do? Adhere to the law – ask him whether he wants legal assistance – has the flight been OK and would you like to rest? Are we going to grant him all the civil liberties our forefathers have so long fought for? Are we willing to sacrifice maybe millions for Civil and Human Rights?
posted by lulando at 3:30 PM
7 Comments:
I'am working on #8 now. Jamie, when do you want the quote to be published?
I'm glad you mentioned 24. It's shows like that and NYPD Blue that help make torture seem more acceptable in our soctiey. We have the heroes - in this case Jack Bauer - threatening and using violence against prisoners to thwart a terror attack. And it works, and the attack is foiled, and they are the heroes. It's disgusting.
As to the "ticking bomb" scenario - I don't agree with the premise that it can be considered in isolation. Because the point is that once you open the door to a little bit of torture, you end up using torture for more and more things more and more often. You move from a society where torture is taboo and outlawed to one in which it is accepted and commonplace. Thus, despite what it looks like, the utilitarian thing to do would be to stick within the law.
Per - Well, #7 is going out at 6:30, so why not 7:00?
Ok - so The Quote will go out at 700. I'll save #8 draft in a short while...I think it covers your objections...
Good good - we'll save that one for a bit later. I wonder how Mash is getting along...
Cool - that should mean lots of extra traffic (and so hopefully a few more pledges).
Tick tock tick tock...5 minutes to go!
#8's in as a draft - palease check :D
Dr. Strangelove: It is a carrot :D I myself prefer 'Puff the Magic Dragon' if you silently know what I mean...
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