Torture.

[the_future_modernes]

A serious debate about torture has been rocking the United States political scene. The options seem to be: don't prosecute, have a truth commission or prosecute to teh fullest extent of the law. Personally I believe that the US has an obligation to follow its own treaties and constitution and prosecute every single soul, from Pres Bush downwards. Has anyone been following this debate? What do you think?

Comments

Torture

[cesy]

I haven't been following the debate at all. Is this regarding what's happened over the past few years, and who in the previous administration should be prosecuted?

I'd be tempted to say that the prosecutions should happen wherever there is sufficient evidence, make sure the courts do it properly, assuming that the law and the courts take sufficient account of soldiers who had to follow orders, etc. when sentencing. However, I'm not sure (and by that I mean I genuinely don't know) how good your courts would be at carrying out the prosecutions justly, or if the law is fair in the first place.

What's a truth commission?

I would definitely agree in general that the US has an obligation to follow its own treaties and constitution. However, very few countries have a good track record on that.

What do you think?

Re: Torture

[the_future_modernes]

Is this regarding what's happened over the past few years, and who in the previous administration should be prosecuted?


Yes. I have some links here here and there is an argument here for the US to be charged with aggressive war.

?What's a truth commission?

I meant truth and reconciliation commission.


I would definitely agree in general that the US has an obligation to follow its own treaties and constitution. However, very few countries have a good track record on that.

What do you think?

I think the United States needs to get over its "I'm so special" belief and prosecute. And if they are too chicken, send the offenders to the Hague.

[nicki]

Prosecute at least the top couple of levels. I know Obama would rather not have his first term in office consumed with investigation and prosecutions, but there are some things you can't let slide.

[the_future_modernes]

I keep hearing that when Nixon was pardoned, people like Cheney were in his cabinet. They went on to worse things. If we let this slide, what fresh hell will be unleashed 10-20 years from now?

[blair]

I actually have been following this. There's so much that's just completely ludicrous and I can't even form an opinion because of how petty "The accused" are being. Have we decided on a uniform definition of torture yet?