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The question of whether the US should torture (enhanced interrogation) any “detainees” keeps bubbling. Some commentators insist there are two issues: Is torture legal, and does torture work to get us vital information.

I strongly disagree! There is only one question: Does the US believe that torture is the “right” thing to do. Do we believe a human – even an enemy – should have the “right” to NOT be tortured. Is there any possible justification for the “beacon of freedom”, the symbol of human rights, to ever stoop to inflicting pain and near death to another human just to make ourselves “safe”?

There is only one principle and it is a moral one. This nation was founded upon human rights. In our Declaration of independence we say “we hold these truths to be self evident: that all men are created equal.” In the Constitution, in our “Bill of Rights”, we insist that each person has freedoms and should be protected from cruel punishments*. We say in the fifth amendment that we cannot lose our rights without “due process of law”.* Due process includes the right to not incriminate ourselves.

Does the Constitution limit these rights to American Citizens? No. The Constitution does not say that the rights are limited to citizens, nor should it. When our founders created this nation they saw it as an exception to the abusive countries of the rest of the world.

Do we want this nation to become like the countries that abuse people? I think not. Liberty such as we have in this country must be carefully protected. It was worth the sacrifices of the Wars we fought to ensure our rights. Those rights must not be surrendered now just to gain a little information.    

* Constitution of the United States

Amendment 1

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion.

Amendment 5

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury . . . nor shall any person be deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law, nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

Amendment 8

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.