Gunny
Gold Member
I'd say it's a safe bet that if we prosecuted the Japanese for doing it, it's torture. If we wouldn't want it being done to our troops, it's torture.
And you know that isn't either fair or true. We supposedly have/had certain values as a country. It's painful to see that getting destroyed.
I heard someone say it beautifully the other day and I wish I could remember who it was, but the reality is there are reasons that people wanted to come here to be part of what was great about us for the past two hundred plus years. I hate to think we aren't those things anymore.
There's quite a difference between waterboarding and how the Japanese treated POW's during WWII.
Our values aren't getting destroyed, but I disagree with the "values as a country." There have ALWAYS been two different sets of values all the way back to the Federalists and the Whigs.
The fact is, "torture" by definition can be defined as the most benign of things, and THAT is what this is all about. Using literalism to point a finger.
It's a known fact pain is a great motivator. Yes, some will withstand it. Most won't. How many lives are worth ensuring the enemy is all comfy and cozy?