"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.
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