| Topic: | Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:'UK Lives Saved by Waterboarding' | |
| Posted by: | Alastair Banton | |
| Date/Time: | 10/11/10 18:23:00 |
| I've come to this thread late, so apologies if this point has already been made, but even if torture were effective (I'm not convinced that it is) and even if there were some 'moral' justification for it (I'm unpersuaded on this count too) then we still have to recognise that the fact of our side condoning and practising torture provides fabulous propaganda for our enemies. Guantanamo Bay and the terrible pictures coming out of Abu Ghraib will surely have inspired countless jihadis. That is part of the equation. What we do to them they will feel justified in doing back to us. We need to use smarter and more ethical methods. Anything else is self-defeating in my view. But I don't pretend it's easy. |