Torture Justifiable

"If we legalize torture, even under constrained conditions, we will have given up a large part of the idea that is America" (332). I agree with Andrew Sullivan in "The Abolition of Torture." Andrew Sullivan argues that torture is inhuman and degrading. Allowing torture takes the idea of freedom, which is what America is known for, and crushes it between clenched fists. The stress positions and embarrassment of being stripped naked can lead to a great amount of emotional stress or psychological damage. Sullivan words it as breaking a human. "Something broken can be put back together, but it will never regain the status of being unbroken..." (325). He is making the point that the damage has been done; it can't be taken back and it won't be forgotten.

When torture takes place in a prison there are innocent detaines being punished. They don't know what they did wrong; it's confusing and frustrating and could also lead to psychological damage. Sullivan also brings up the other techniques that could be used or interrogation purposes such as; isolation, psychological disorientation and intense questioning (331). This is a key point; why do humans resort to torture when there are other options available? All humans have to be viewed as humans whether they are friends or enemies and no human should experience torture in order to get information when there is no strong link connected to that person.

"The use of torture and coercive interrogation by U.S. forces in this war may have contributed to a profound worsening of our actionable intelligence" (330). Allowing this kind of torture only makes hatred grow in the hearts of Muslims, Arabs and others. As the hatred grows America looses its' trust and the ability to receive information. I'm sure there were detaines whose fear grew from the torture and actually made them withold information.

With other techniques available I don't believe torture is the right route. It destroys America and what we stand for, destroys people, our ties with other countries, and allows for the growth of hatred.

Dead Teen Walking

I don't agree with placing teens on death row; especially in a case like this where there is so much information that was not brought to the attention of the defense. In the article Miriam Shehane, President of Victims of Crime and Leniency said, "If someone does adult crime, they are acting as adults, and they have to take responsibility." I agree with her logic however; later in the article the idea that child abuse is linked with juvenile offenders is brought to attention. Adults who have lived outside of an abusive home have had time to grow out of that environment and create the lifestyle they choose. If the lifestyle they choose involves murder and the evidence is CLEAR I would agree with the death penalty. For children or teens still living in that abusive atmosphere that environment is going to affect their behavior.

In White Fang he had to adjust to a variety of environments. White Fang was born innocent with wolf instinct and adjusted to the wild. He learned to hunt and kill in order to live. In the wild environment, "To those that survived it was not tragedy, but realization and achievement" (33). Hunting and killing was not a tragedy in the wild; it was an achievement to be alive.

As White Fang continued more adjustments were made. Eventually the time spent away from abuse allowed White Fang to mold again. He experienced love and learned to love. So if teens are taken away from the abuse who is to say they can't experience love and learn to love?

The cases discussed in the article both deal with child abuse the effects of abuse on the teenage mind. Child abuse is no excuse for becoming a murderer but injuries to the head and psychiatric problems going without treatment can only affect the teenage mind. And if we kill a murderer what does that make us? It only seems to create an endless cycle of killing.

I'm not oblivious to violence and murder. It does make me sick to think about the people who commit murder but I also believe that a persons' environment and upbringing effects their actions and I do believe that people can change if given the chance.

Why We Need a Draft

I agree with Mark Finelli on most of his points in the article "Why We Need a Draft: A Marine's Lament." He made a good point about how economics did not come in to play with the protective vehicles used in Iraq. It's sad that private companies can drive around in death proof vehicles while people who give their time and lives for their country, on a volunteer basis, die everyday because they are placed in situations or protective vehicles that don't give suitable protection.

He went on to explain that a volunteer military will never gain the kinds of tools private companies have until the wealthy hold more interest because their sons are on the battlefields. This makes sense because if the wealthy feel the pain others feel when loved ones are away at war maybe they would do something about the inefficiency of the military.

Mark stated in his article, "While America's bravest are in the military, America's brightest are not." When I first read this statement it seemed very bold but after reading on it makes sense. Many college students get out of war efforts through schooling excuses while the wealthy "buy their way out of serving." I don't see myself entering the military and I would want an excuse as well but his statement makes sense. A draft seems like the best solution to the problems with the military according to Mark Finelli; I just can't seem to agree. I can't see forcing someone into a role not suited for them and not wanted.

My question: If a draft was put into place would it include females?

9/11

On September 11, 2001 I was in my sixth grade class with Mrs. Banker and classmates. Our counselor rolled in a TV cart and turned on the news. I don't remember too many specific things but we were all very confused and didn't know what to think. I remember going home that night and watching the towers fall over and over on different news channels. My parents tried to explain what had happened but at that time no one really knew exactly what was going on.