Commanders of Marines and Cent Com (Ret): Torture Betrays Us

[Rose Siding]

It's Our Cage, Too
Torture Betrays Us and Breeds New Enemies

Fear can be a strong motivator. It led Franklin Roosevelt to intern tens of thousands of innocent U.S. citizens during World War II; it led to Joseph McCarthy's witch hunt, which ruined the lives of hundreds of Americans. And it led the United States to adopt a policy at the highest levels that condoned and even authorized torture of prisoners in our custody.
...
We have served in combat; we understand the reality of fear and the havoc it can wreak if left unchecked or fostered. Fear breeds panic, and it can lead people and nations to act in ways inconsistent with their character.

The American people are understandably fearful about another attack like the one we sustained on Sept. 11, 2001. But it is the duty of the commander in chief to lead the country away from the grip of fear, not into its grasp.....

The torture methods that Tenet defends have nurtured the recuperative power of the enemy. This war will be won or lost not on the battlefield but in the minds of potential supporters who have not yet thrown in their lot with the enemy. If we forfeit our values by signaling that they are negotiable in situations of grave or imminent danger, we drive those undecideds into the arms of the enemy. This way lies defeat, and we are well down the road to it.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/16/AR2007051602395.html?hpid=opinionsbox1

[Bandit]

1. It is a shame our leaders need to be taught "duty"

"But it is the duty of the commander in chief to lead the country away from the grip of fear, not into its grasp".....

Truer words were never spoken...

[Jim__]

2. A number of military commanders oppose torture.

But, all the chickenhawks favor it. The chickenhawks and their cheerleaders at the debate Tuesday night.