As much as I would always side with the anti torture league, the following scenario keeps popping up in my mind and makes me uncertain. Consider this, a hypothetical example which although unlikely, is a possibility:
A member of your family is kidnapped and held by a militant extremist group for ransom. The consequence of not meeting their demands is painful death of your family member. The Forces on the ground have captured one of the men associated with the group and are certain he knows the location of your family member. As you would expect, he hates the force that he thinks has invaded his country, and he isnt talking. Would you support Allied forces using extra ordinary methods ( ie torture/waterboarding etc) so that the location of your family member is divulged?
I hate to say it, but if that situation arose in my life I would probably want Allied forces to use pretty much any means necessary to get the info that may save my family members life. In fact I wouldnt feel bad if they used a blowtorch and and a hammer to extract info that would lead to the safe release of my family member. I really feel dirty, and kinda evil for thinking that but thats how I would probably act in that situation.
My sister is in the Middle East at the moment, and although she is in a reasonably safe environment, we as humans often dream up worst case scenarios. Before answering, or flaming, put yourself in the hypothetical situation I mentioned above. Think about it for a bit then reply.
A member of your family is kidnapped and held by a militant extremist group for ransom. The consequence of not meeting their demands is painful death of your family member. The Forces on the ground have captured one of the men associated with the group and are certain he knows the location of your family member. As you would expect, he hates the force that he thinks has invaded his country, and he isnt talking. Would you support Allied forces using extra ordinary methods ( ie torture/waterboarding etc) so that the location of your family member is divulged?
I hate to say it, but if that situation arose in my life I would probably want Allied forces to use pretty much any means necessary to get the info that may save my family members life. In fact I wouldnt feel bad if they used a blowtorch and and a hammer to extract info that would lead to the safe release of my family member. I really feel dirty, and kinda evil for thinking that but thats how I would probably act in that situation.
My sister is in the Middle East at the moment, and although she is in a reasonably safe environment, we as humans often dream up worst case scenarios. Before answering, or flaming, put yourself in the hypothetical situation I mentioned above. Think about it for a bit then reply.