Torture’s Misleading Results

           The torture report was released a few days ago. We had all been hearing what had been done to the prisoners for a long time, but we did not know the extent. The report showed that it was worse than we thought. But regardless, although torture may result in some results, by and large, it is unreliable.

            The Spanish Inquisition, which started in the late 15^th century, run initially by Tomas Torquemada, utilized brutal forms of torture. They used thumbscrews, boots, the rack, scourging, lashing, flogging, burning of the feet, the garrucha (binding the hands behind the back and lifting the person off the floor) and water torture. There were different reasons for the inquisition. They included religion (find the true Catholics), witchcraft, sodomy, and blasphemy. Torture continued and changed until either the person torture confessed or died. King Ferdinand and Queen Isabela allowed the Inquisition to commence and continue as did the papacy. The Spanish Inquisition continued until the middle of the 19^th century.

            Present day torture was the result of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attack on the World Trade Center in New York City. The goal was to get information on future terrorist attacks of any kind, anywhere. Methods included, sleep deprivation, rectal feeding, threats against the detainees’ families, operating power tools beside the detainees, forced nudity, extended periods of isolation, and waterboarding (same as the Spanish water torture). In addition, the entire program was badly mishandled on various levels, including a complete lack of oversight which allowed these tortures to continue unabated. More information on the Torture Report can be found here.

            In both cases, the torturers continue until they get the answer they want to hear, whether it is true or not. The tortured get to the point that they will say anything to get the torture to stop. This is what makes it unreliable. In both instances, some truth may come, but more will likely be false.

 

            One other point to make. Unlike during the Spanish Inquisition, in the 20^th and 21^st century, torture is a violation of international law. It was wondered how much President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney knew. It has been charged by various people, including Karl Rove, a staunch Republican supporter, that they both knew and approved it. Cheney even said that he would do it again in a heartbeat. The Bush administration even went so far as to say that they did not consider waterboarding as torture. In the five centuries since the Spanish inquisition it was considered torture. As this is a violation of international law, should they not be tried by the Hague for war crimes against humanity?