Break The Rules, Take Responsibility
I swore I would not get political. I think I may have to get a little political, just this once. I hate terrorism and think that we should fight it anywhere, any way, any how.
There. That’s my political statement.
But when I first said this, torture hadn’t even crossed my mind. Is it okay to waterboard someone to find out where they put the bomb in Times Square? Is it acceptable to use electric shock to get a proven terrorist to give up his companions, who may be planning attacks right at that moment?
My gut said no. Pirate or not, I can’t stomach torture. It’s wrong in a way I can’t define. People who torture lose something of their humanity. Data produced is questionable at best. And, well, it’s just wrong to profit on a person’s misery like that.
I even tried to imagine: were I in a position where those I love were going to be killed if the torture didn’t happen, would I sanction it?
I had to admit to myself that I still could not.
But that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t happen.
It’s a decision I could never make. But the men and women in our collective governments who are in charge of keeping us all safe may one day be in a position to make that decision. I could not forgive them, either, if they did not do everything possible to keep their employers – the public – safe. Including torture.
This puts them in a terrible position. My solution: hire men and women who have the guts to take personal responsibility – and credit – for the good and evil they do. Instead of making torture legal – and therefore an easy choice – make it illegal. Those who choose to torture, despite the consequences to them, are making the choice to suffer themselves as well.
It sucks. It really does. It’s also a lot to ask of these people. But we ask our soldiers on the front lines to lay down their lives – and we ask the same of Coast Guard, police, firefighters, and all the other men and women who keep us safe and secure. Asking those who are in the business of extracting information from very bad people to be willing to risk prison for what they believe is right – that is asking no more courage and integrity from them than we ask from our other protectors.
And in the decision to torture or not, I think we need courage and integrity more than in any other fight in this war on terror.
