For Americans, has the word torture lost its shock value?

[ColbertWatcher]

With all this talk lately in the news about the GOP's torture fetish, I'm starting to wonder if the word has lost all its meaning.

What say you DU?

For Americans, has the word torture lost its shock value?

(EDITED TO ADD "For Americans")

[Warpy]

1. Why do you think Cheney's admen

are jumping through so many linguistic hoops to avoid saying it?

[Luminous Animal]

2. In the "western" world?

Perhaps only to Americans. My friends in Autralia, Canada, UK, Germany, Spain, & France are appalled that we are "debating" torture.

[ColbertWatcher]

5. Excuse me, yes you're correct in the US. n/t

[leftofthedial]

3. yes.

that's why releasing the pictures is so important.

the fascists have spent millions convincing us that "torture" = "frat prank."

[ColbertWatcher]

6. Good point. n/t

[MADem]

4. Actually, it's gained some shock value.

Pre-Bush, the word was largely employed in a hyperbolic fashion, and mostly used to describe a horrible musical recital, being a captive audience member at some talentless event, or some miserable business or family occasion that one had to sit through and could not avoid.

It didn't refer to the "genuine act" of torture. Now, often as not, it does.

[ColbertWatcher]

7. Hmm.

But, do you think it's really understood or that it's still an abstract?

[MADem]

8. I think now, when people think "torture," they think pain, suffering, agony, stress positions,

human indignity, etc. I think that is entirely understood.

I think ten years ago, when people thought "torture," they imagined being forced to listen to a tone deaf talentless hack grinding through "My Way" or "O Mio Babbino Caro," while seated front row center with a complete inability to slip out a side door to go grab a smoke or a drink at the intermission bar.