Comments on: A unique threat… http://www.whydontyou.org.uk/blog/2008/07/12/a-unique-threat/ Challenging the Zeitgeist Thu, 18 Mar 2010 20:20:34 +0100 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Yoo http://www.whydontyou.org.uk/blog/2008/07/12/a-unique-threat/comment-page-1/#comment-13363 Yoo Mon, 14 Jul 2008 07:55:13 +0000 http://www.whydontyou.org.uk/blog/?p=1643#comment-13363 Perhaps it's not so ironic that torture was frowned upon in World War 2 by the Allies while the current Bush administration condones it (despite their weasel words to the contrary): the stakes were much higher in the world war so that they needed to use methods that actually <em>worked</em>, whereas the administration might actually be aware that the stakes in the War on Terror isn't that great, so they allowed methods that made them feel good or makes them think they're "doing something" (or whatever, for all I know it was pure incompetence). Perhaps it’s not so ironic that torture was frowned upon in World War 2 by the Allies while the current Bush administration condones it (despite their weasel words to the contrary): the stakes were much higher in the world war so that they needed to use methods that actually worked, whereas the administration might actually be aware that the stakes in the War on Terror isn’t that great, so they allowed methods that made them feel good or makes them think they’re “doing something” (or whatever, for all I know it was pure incompetence).

]]> By: the chaplain http://www.whydontyou.org.uk/blog/2008/07/12/a-unique-threat/comment-page-1/#comment-13355 the chaplain Sun, 13 Jul 2008 14:20:32 +0000 http://www.whydontyou.org.uk/blog/?p=1643#comment-13355 Excellent post. The West's justification of the use of torture is beyond shameful. It's a regression to the morals of a much less civilized, enlightened age. Considering the technologies at our disposal now, this regression is truly frightening. Excellent post. The West’s justification of the use of torture is beyond shameful. It’s a regression to the morals of a much less civilized, enlightened age. Considering the technologies at our disposal now, this regression is truly frightening.

]]> By: Andrew http://www.whydontyou.org.uk/blog/2008/07/12/a-unique-threat/comment-page-1/#comment-13354 Andrew Sun, 13 Jul 2008 12:11:02 +0000 http://www.whydontyou.org.uk/blog/?p=1643#comment-13354 If the government tells them torture will make take away their fear, then it will. You know, because the fear was manufactured by the same government. If the government tells them torture will make take away their fear, then it will.

You know, because the fear was manufactured by the same government.

]]> By: Heather http://www.whydontyou.org.uk/blog/2008/07/12/a-unique-threat/comment-page-1/#comment-13350 Heather Sat, 12 Jul 2008 22:56:13 +0000 http://www.whydontyou.org.uk/blog/?p=1643#comment-13350 XanderG Thank you so much. Yes, it's really dispiriting that so many people have somehow started to condone torture, imagining that it makes them safer. XanderG

Thank you so much.

Yes, it’s really dispiriting that so many people have somehow started to condone torture, imagining that it makes them safer.

]]> By: XanderG http://www.whydontyou.org.uk/blog/2008/07/12/a-unique-threat/comment-page-1/#comment-13349 XanderG Sat, 12 Jul 2008 22:31:13 +0000 http://www.whydontyou.org.uk/blog/?p=1643#comment-13349 You have no idea how much of a relief it is to be able to come here and find people who are still resolute against the use of torture. Increasingly I'm finding people are far too willing to either condone outright or at least remain apathetic to its use against "terror suspects". The whole 'us against them' mentality springs to mind. I think what many people fail to understand is just quite what torture is. We're used to seeing a bit of rough treatment in action movies, and think to many that's all there really is to it. They fail to appreciate the utter brutality and disregard for humanity that is required to be a torturer. In my mind if you couldn't stomach doing it yourself, you should not be complicit in allowing your country to do it for you. You have no idea how much of a relief it is to be able to come here and find people who are still resolute against the use of torture.

Increasingly I’m finding people are far too willing to either condone outright or at least remain apathetic to its use against “terror suspects”. The whole ‘us against them’ mentality springs to mind.

I think what many people fail to understand is just quite what torture is. We’re used to seeing a bit of rough treatment in action movies, and think to many that’s all there really is to it. They fail to appreciate the utter brutality and disregard for humanity that is required to be a torturer. In my mind if you couldn’t stomach doing it yourself, you should not be complicit in allowing your country to do it for you.

]]> By: TW http://www.whydontyou.org.uk/blog/2008/07/12/a-unique-threat/comment-page-1/#comment-13347 TW Sat, 12 Jul 2008 22:01:22 +0000 http://www.whydontyou.org.uk/blog/?p=1643#comment-13347 Excellent post. I have often thought it is the peaceful nature of modern society that had led the unthinking masses to accept such horrific actions. I do wonder, however, if the west has retained any claim to the moral high ground... Excellent post.

I have often thought it is the peaceful nature of modern society that had led the unthinking masses to accept such horrific actions.

I do wonder, however, if the west has retained any claim to the moral high ground…

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