Why is it ok to kill killers, but not ok to torture torturers?

[SemiCharmedQuark]

If eye for an eye is acceptable, wouldn't that be what was coming? Because it's barbaric? Much of the west feels the same about the death penalty.

Edit: Edited title for clarity.

[sui generis]

1. except you don't kill the killers before they've had a trial

not usually.

We unfortunately have to torture the torturers to get them to admit that they're guilty of the crime we used to get them to admit they're guilty of the crime.

Odd thing, that.

[heidler1]

2. The pot calling the kettle black deserves criticism.

I expect Saddam to use the same argument in his defense, especially in regard to the Shiites and the US. I for one wouldn't blame him for doing it.

[sui generis]

5. that's the funny thing about double standards

some day when you least expect it, they crawl right back out of the proverbial toilet and bite you in the ass.

This entire administration, starting with the Supreme Court 2000 ruling lives exclusively by the double standard. If you recall in the SCOTUS ruling was a disclaimer that the ruling didn't serve as legal precedent for any other similar situation, meaning, if this happens to a republican candidate with a democrat cheating on recounts you can't simply refer to this decision and stop the recount.

[MountainLaurel]

9. Speculation on that today

On one of the Wash Post live discussions: Someone commented that they thought the first thing Saddam's defense team is gonna do is whip out that photo of him with Donald Rumsfeld, asking why, if he was such a horrible violator of human rights, was the U.S. his ally.

[MemphisTiger]

3. killing a killer is not okay either

[B Calm]

12. I'm not for the death penality, but when a person gets life, by god

don't parole the bastard after 10 or 20 years.

[Aretha]

4. Because killing a killer

has the completely pragmatic effect of removing them permanently from society. We don't (officially) rape rapists either.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

8. So does life without the possibility of parole.

[newyawker99]

11. Hi Aretha!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[stray cat]

6. We better make very sure of the guilt of either

[bigmonkey]

7. Does the Constitution matter?

I believe it says that the U.S. will not engage in "cruel and unusual punishments". Isn't torture by its very nature cruel? Shouldn't that settle it, or did 9/11 change everything?

/sarcasm

[JVS]

10. These things are wrong?

Shit! I gotta get better hobbies!