Is it necessary (was: RE: virus: The Rumsfeld wriggle.)?

From: Jake Sapiens (every1hz@earthlink.net)
Date: Sun May 23 2004 - 15:35:23 MDT

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    I remember having this conversation in regular chat with Lucifer some time
    back where we were debating the ethics of using torture. I was left with
    the impression that well trained interrogators using drugs/truth serum that
    subjects were more likely to spill the beans and probably feel real nice
    while doing so, possibly even conveniently forgetting the conversation
    later. Is my understanding of this wrong, or is it really necessary to
    torture/abuse people to get what we want out of them? I was under the
    impression that information obtained under duress was actually not terribly
    reliable. Somebody please disabuse me of this if I am wrong.

    -Jake

    > [Original Message]
    > From: rhinoceros <rhinoceros@freemail.gr>
    > To: <virus@lucifer.com>
    > Date: 05/23/2004 10:28:03 AM
    > Subject: RE: virus: The Rumsfeld wriggle.
    >
    >
    > [Mermaid] dont worry! Rumsfield has saved the day!
    >
    > http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/s1114150.htm
    >
    > Rumsfeld bans camera phones in Iraq: report
    > Mobile phones fitted with digital cameras have been banned in United
    States Army installations in Iraq on orders from Defence Secretary Donald
    Rumsfeld, The Business newspaper reported on Sunday.
    >
    >
    > [rhinoceros] Hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil...
    >
    > http://virus.lucifer.com/bbs/attachments/noseehearspeak.jpg
    >
    > By the way, I found this piece (it first appeared in the Washington Post).
    >
    >
    > Time to Stop 'Stress and Duress'
    > http://www.hrw.org/english/docs/2004/05/13/usint8578.htm
    >
    > <begin quote>
    > The Defense Department has adopted a 72-point "matrix" of types of stress
    to which detainees can be subjected. These include stripping detainees
    naked, depriving them of sleep, subjecting them to bright lights or blaring
    noise, hooding them, exposing them to heat and cold, and binding them in
    uncomfortable positions. The more stressful techniques must be approved by
    senior commanders, but all are permitted. And nearly all are being used,
    according to testimony taken by Human Rights Watch from post-Sept. 11
    detainees released from U.S. custody.
    >
    > None of these techniques is legal. Treaties ratified by the United
    States, including the Geneva Conventions and the U.N. Convention Against
    Torture, prohibit not only torture but also "cruel, inhuman or degrading
    treatment or punishment." In ratifying the Convention Against Torture, the
    U.S. government interpreted this provision to prohibit the same practices
    as those proscribed by the U.S. Constitution. The Bush administration
    reiterated that understanding last June.
    >
    > <snip>
    >
    > But can't torture at least be used on someone who might know of an
    imminent terrorist act? Not without opening the door to pervasive torture.
    The problem with this "ticking bomb" scenario is that it is infinitely
    elastic. Why stop with the terrorist suspect himself? Why not torture his
    neighbor or friend who might know something about an attack? And why stop
    with an imminent attack? Aren't the potential victims of possible future
    attacks just as worthy of protection by torture? The slope is very slippery.
    > <end quote>
    >
    >
    > ----
    > This message was posted by rhinoceros to the Virus 2004 board on Church
    of Virus BBS.
    >
    <http://virus.lucifer.com/bbs/index.php?board=61;action=display;threadid=302
    71>
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    --- Jake Sapiens
    --- every1hz@earthlink.net
    --- EarthLink: The #1 provider of the Real Internet.

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