thekennedyword.com
WORLD NEWS
Feburary 2015
The Word
9
Pro/ Con: CIA Torture Methods
Pro: Getting to the Truth Can Hurt
Con: Torture Transgressions
by Coby Yollis
by Andrew Hernandez
While not ideal, toture is occassionally necessary Online Editor
Why torture is inefficient and inhumane
n December, a Senate report on the Central Intelligence Agency’s “enhanced interrogation” methods was brought forward into the public eye, raising questions as to whether or not torture is ever appropriate. Even after the Senate report, The United States government should continue to recognize the utilization of torture as a plausible action, so long as it is put forth under the proper circumstances. Concurrently, the merit of physical torture as a means of interrogation should not singularly be considered to be a political debate; it’s a complicated and controversial moral debate that
pain, people may fabricate misleading information when being tortured. In addition, innocent and unknowledgeable people may falsely admit to crimes when put under pressure. Nevertheless, torture is sometimes the only option that promises any chance of success. When a terrorist attack is anticipated and there is not enough time to launch a successful preliminary investigation, torturing individuals who hold sought after information may ultimately prove to be the best use of resources. Hurriedly searching in places that may possibly never contribute to preventative measures against an attack isn’t the best idea. When
has become skewed and subsequently lost in our nation’s government. Intentionally inflicting pain on another person is generally considered to be immoral and inhumane. If the person being tortured has previously been involved in terrorist attacks, they should definitely reside on a lower level of standards than others. Someone who has continually failed to uphold basic human morals and regularly proves to possess a lack of decency does not deserve to be treated equally with others who demonstrate civility. Simultaneously, no human should ever be tortured pointlessly or as an act of revenge. However, when such a person refuses to give necessary information that would save lives, the quality of their treatment is no longer as important and the proceeding of torturing of that individual should sometimes be allowed to go forward. Admittedly, torture is far from the most effective method of obtaining information from terrorists. There are multitudes of ways in which torture may lead to undesired or displeasing results. It’s no secret that people are more than capable of lying. In an effort to postpone
given a narrow time frame, torture is more likely to provide the best results. Torture should never be the first resort or the only way we obtain our information, but there will always be times when it’s needed. The United States as a whole needs to understand that torture is not always the best option, but there are times when torture is the right action. At the end of the day, the lives of the many undeniably outweigh the lives of the few, especially when “the few” are known to be terrorists. The long running Fox television drama 24 frequently presented statements about the use of torture that paralleled reality. Protagonist Jack Bauer, a former agent of the fictional Counter-Terrorism Unit, once aptly explained torture’s morality and practicality when he said, “I see fifteen people held hostage on a bus, and everything else goes out the window. I will do whatever it takes to save them, and I mean whatever it takes. ... Laws were written by much smarter men than me. And in the end, these laws have to be more important than the 15 people on the bus. I know that’s right. In my mind, I know that’s right. I just don’t think my heart could ever have lived with it.”
I
Speaking Freely?
What is the price of freedom of speech?
by Katherine Raizada
Photo Editor
On January seventh, France
was struck by extremists seeking vengeance upon the French magazine Charlie Hebdo that depicted several controversial cartoons of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, who is not meant to be depicted according to traditional Islamic beliefs. Crimes like this force people to examine the importance of freedom of press. Over twelve people were shot and eleven were injured. Most of the people affected by the shooting were all associated with the French publication. France hasn’t suffered from an attack like the
Charlie Hebdo shooting in over 40 years. Not only did the shooting outrage France, it also stirred up chaos internationally. The line between freedom of expression and offending others is being examined around the world. Charlie Hebdo is a French satirical news magazine that is distributed weekly. There is bound to be derogatory comments if its main focus is satire. This magazine has been targeted several times for the constant jabs at the Islamic religion, and it suffered two actual attacks in total. The media did not take these attacks lightly, and other fellow journalists and individuals
Senate Intelligence Committee’s report on CIA torture exposed the brutality and ineffectiveness of using torture as a means of gaining information, a report that has rightfully brought harsh criticism of the government agency that executed these acts. The CIA’s failure to spoil detainees isn’t what they are being condemned for, it is for their lack of viewing and treating their prisoners as humans. The horrendous interrogation tactics used on prisoners include ‘rectal rehydration’, forced nudity, threats of sexual assault and murder of detainees and their families. Other techniques detainees were subjected to include being forced to stand on broken limbs, waterboarding, sleep deprivation, and denied access to toilets. Members across the political spectrum, such as former Vice President Dick Cheney, have taken a liking to calling these horrible transgressions ‘enhanced interrogation’. The branding of these inhumane acts as ‘enhanced interrogation’ is the most facetious misnomer in the
innocent. These men were released with no apologies, no compensation, and no ounce of their human dignity left. The only thing these men can thank the U.S government for is that they escaped alive. Perhaps the most tragic part of these cases of mistaken identity was with Gul Rahman, a man who had been captured by the CIA in 2002. Rahman was held partially nude and chained to a concrete floor where he was doused with cold water. Rahman was later found in his cell dead of suspected hypothermia. This man wasn’t a terrorist; he was innocent. Rahman didn’t deserve to endure this torture, and he surely didn’t deserve to die at the hands of CIA interrogators who are supposed to uphold true American values even in the face of those who seek to destroy them. The entire reason Rahman and other innocents were captured was because of false information given to CIA interrogators by actual terrorists. The mastermind behind the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, frequently gave CIA officials misinformation after being subjected to CIA torture. According to the Senate report, Mohammed gave officials false
history of man. Politicians, CIA officials, and the American people need to call these methods what they are, torture. While these methods are brutal, they surely must have been effective, correct? Wrong. NBC Journalist and host of Meet the Press Chuck Todd reported that 25% of the detainees in Guantanamo Bay were innocent. Among the 25% of innocents were people such as Khalid al-Masri, Sulaiman Abdula, and Abu Hudhaifa. All of these men were subjected to torture, with Hudhaifa enduring ice water baths and 66 hours of standing sleep deprivation, and all were found
names which lead to the capture and torture of two innocent individuals. Even after being waterboarded an astonishing 183 times, Mohammed still refused to give any true information to his CIA handlers. A report by the Los Angeles Times quoted an FBI Counter-Terrorism agent who said, “He had us chasing the geese in Central Park because he said some of them had explosives strapped to them.” By holding the CIA accountable and allowing for a chance to ensure that this type of treatment never happens again, the Senate Report did a favor for the American people and the world.
Staff Writer
The
supported the right to produce whatever content they wanted. “Publications are known to push too many boundaries,” expressed junior Martin Ibarra. “It can be hurtful.” Often it is seen that publications overstep their boundaries resulting in controversy. Despite the attack, the magazine still decided to continue to publish more issues in the future. A large movement in France occurred shortly after the incident. Over three million people marched while holding up pens and shouting “Je suis Charlie” ( I am Charlie). In the issue that was published on January thirteenth, the Prophet Muhammad held up a sign saying “Je suis Charlie.” This
movement was done by the people to support and honor those who were affected in the shooting and to reinforce the freedom
"Je Suis Charlie" of expression. Aside from the marches, several vigils were held in France to show condolences for those who lost loved ones in the attack. Many media sites played a huge part in this movement, showing comradery for Hebdo. Generally, most press has the freedom to produce whatever they want their readers to read. However, all content doesn’t necessarily cater to everyone’s opinions and beliefs, causing it to be controversial. Magazines,
newspapers, and other material can be published freely without any restrictions or censorship from the government. Publications are free to write about any social, political, and religious issues without a filter. Junior Clarissa Claro supports the idea of having the freedom to publish anything without following restrictions.“It’s only fair that media and press can publish whatever they want; it’s their right,” stated Claro. It is arguable that publications surpass their limits when it comes to the material they produce. The attack raised anger for many individuals trying to express themselves, but it didn’t damper their desire to publish their content.
