Is Torture Ever Justified?

I couldn't tell the truth if I tried--The water is suffocating me!!!!

To begin, let us define torture, as to avoid any confusion. As a noun, the simplest definition for torture is: “extreme anguish of body or mind; agony.” As a verb, it can take on several definitions, some of those being: “to force or extort” or “to afflict with severe pain of mind or body.” It has even taken on the meaning “to distort or pervert.”

That being said let us move on to discussing the inefficacy of torture in modern society. America built itself on a solid foundation, creating a system of justice and law based on that of the Romans, a governmental system similar to that of Ancient Greece, and an ethical value system based primarily on that of Westernized religious standards. The largest deviation from America’s roots as a young nation is the growth and use of our military. George Washington warned us of the dangers of entangling alliances and told us of the importance of maintaining an isolationist foreign policy; in the centuries since then, we, particularly our governments, have forgotten the warnings of our first president as we struggle to keep up with the ever-changing popular whims of the global society. Along with having armed forces that receive approximately 50% of the world’s military expenditur, America has adopted an aggressive foreign policy, an interventionist “preemptivist” style that interferes in the affairs of states all over the world in the name of democracy. This type of foreign policy comes with its own set of problems: our focus is far too widespread, the sphere of information from which to draw is far too large and all-encompassing. With little hope of keeping up with the ever-increasing number of foes that our aggressive position creates, we are desperate to attain valid and important information regarding issues of national security. Our newly-found enemies have one main focus: The United States. We, the United States, have a large number of areas that need attention; our government is aware of this fact, and is thus willing to do whatever it takes to obtain information for matters of national security (under the Bush/Cheney administration of course). For the sake of expediency and convenience we are willing to torture in order to get such information.

So how’s it working out for us? Well, aside from its immorality and blatant disregard for humanity, it also yields inaccurate information. Torture is an ineffectual means by which to obtain information. Under extreme pressure and stress, the human body begins to shut down. When the body begins to exhaust, the brain does as well. Particularly with waterboarding, when the victim is denied the chance to breathe, blood flow is restricted to the brain. Waterboarding has effects similar to those of drowning: panic, dizziness, and tachycardia. This all puts the body and brain under significant strain, inhibiting the ability to think. Information obtained from a victim of waterboarding is inaccurate due to the fact that thought is clouded due to a lack of oxygen and an increased heart rate. Clearer thought would allow for more accurate and detailed information, so it would make more sense to grant the detainee the ability to think clearly. Is it possible to think clearly while under extreme conditions of torture?

Furthermore, the information given up during torture is not only inaccurate due to physical inhibitions, but also mental ones. Those subjected to torturous conditions are willing to make up information (if physically, able of course) in order to cease their suffering. John McCain even spoke of this; when he was tortured he gave up false information in an attempt to stop the torture. He yielded no useful information, and actually gave them the names of the Green Bay Packer’s offensive lineup when asked the names of his flight crew, all in a feeble attempt to suspend the torture. Knowing that torture can bring completely falsified statements, can it ever be fully trusted to yield accurate information? With such a margin of error, can it ever be justified? The bottom line is: torture is an ineffective means by which to attempt to obtain information. After all, its definition has been construed to mean "to distort or pervert." I would prefer my national security information to be nethier distorted nor perverted, thank you.