Elessar wrote:
Sarissa wrote:
Intelligence produced by hard interrogation is actually quite reliable. If it weren't, what is the point? Meanness?
The argument is really over whether the tactics are morally acceptable.
I can tell you that it rarely is. Eventually? Possibly. But NOTHING that will give you the results you need in time to resolve a "ticking bomb" scenario. This comment is NOT speculation. Take it for whatever you think it's worth.
Taking into consideration the background I've gleaned you having through your posts and the fact that every interview I've seen from people with similar backgrounds (people familiar with intelligence and interrogation) echoing this, further solidifies my conviction on the subject.
rugen wrote:
All you win in this scenario by resorting to torture is giving them the satisfaction of knowing they not only get to smile at you 15 minutes from now when everyone is dead, but that they made you sacrifice your moral superiority and they successfully drug you down into the mud with them along the way. They not only killed everyone they wanted to kill, but they killed the much harder target..."America".... along with it...at least for you.
Another compelling argument against it for me.
Elessar wrote:
Torture is not worth the price paid - it is NEVER worth it.
I agree. I make a point of not dealing in absolutes but this is an exception I wholeheartedly make. Not only because it's morally reprehensible (which should be enough really) but also because I believe it's woefully unreliable.