Friday, February 18, 2005

The next big story?

Sebastian Holsclaw links today to this story. Go read, if you have the stomach.

An Iraqi whose corpse was photographed with grinning U.S. soldiers at Abu Ghraib died under CIA interrogation while in a position condemned by human rights groups as torture - suspended by his wrists, with his hands cuffed behind his back, according to reports reviewed by The Associated Press.

How long? How long?
What will it take to put a stop to torture?
How many people will read this story and dismiss it...
Yet another piece of disinformation by the great liberal conspiracy?

Addendum

(With a nod to Josh) Yes, this is an example of PASWO blogging, pure and simple. Ever since I came across the acronym I have thought about weaning myself of the habit. It's shallow, emotional and ultimately pointless.
But I have observed that in everyday conversation, particularly among ordinary people (I get to eavesdrop a lot in the food business...the service staff sees and hears more than the potted plants, although they get about the same degree of attention from diners) a lot of interactivity between and among people tends to be devoid of content. Shared righteous indignation may be one of the strongest bonds of human group behavior. Listen to talk radio. Remember parental admonitions about marginal individuals among your your peers when you were young. Better yet, pick a comments thread just about anywhere and try to track where it leads...

But I digress.
My point is aimed at shaping an attitude about torture. Let us assume for the sake of discussion that this report is fiction.
The larger question is this: When, if ever, and to what degree is torture admissable human behavior?
My answer has to be "never."

2 comments:

AtMillCreek said...

More decontamination required:

Take this test:

http://www.mudvillegazette.com/archives/001989.html

If you disagree with the answer, please send documentation.

(But don't bother sending AP stuff, especially after 'actionfiguregate'.

AtMillCreek said...

Another question:

Why are those prone to spend time and effort on the Abu Ghraib question apparently devoid of concern with the Sudan issue?? What is the underlying value or message being sent?