Sometimes, harsh treatment can be effective

(Democrat and Chronicle's print edition: Speaking Out section)

Why are people so disgusted with the ‘enhanced interrogation techniques’ at Guantanamo Bay? Critics claim that such treatment is three things – ineffective, unnecessary, and inhumane. Let’s examine these three points.

According to Michael Hayden, the former director of the CIA, torture techniques like waterboarding have indeed been effective in the past. The names of many al Qaeda leaders were revealed during these interrogations, and they were later arrested – Abu Zubaydah (a senior terrorist leader and a trusted associate of bin Laden), Khalid Sheikh Mohammed (the mastermind behind the 9/11 attacks), Hambali (the leader of al Qaeda’s Southeast Asian affiliate), and Yazid (a producer of anthrax for al Qaeda). The CIA has also foiled future terrorist attacks on Los Angeles, on the U.S. Marines at Camp Lemonier in Djibouti, on the U.S. consulate in Karachi, and many other targets.

But is there a more merciful alternative? No. The problem with demanding information from terrorists is that there is nothing to threaten them with. Do you really think that they would reveal anything if the CIA simply asked? They hate America and have devoted their lives to killing innocent people. There is no way to persuade them except through brute force.

However, I cannot deny that torture is inhumane. Coming from a strong Christian background, I remember very well that Jesus said to “love your enemy.” But consider to concept of utilitarianism – achieving the greatest good for the greatest number of people. Jesus died by this principle; he sacrificed himself so that Christians who followed him could be saved. Similarly, America is torturing a handful of al Qaeda leaders to prevent future atrocities.

And let's be practical - simulating the death of a few men is certainly worth saving the lives of thousands of Americans. In the end, sometimes doing something that is not politically correct, or even humane, can prevent something worse from happening. I love America, and I believe that our national security should never be jeopardized.

The following 2 "Letters to the Editor" were published in response to my article:

Torture sacrifices American ideals by Jim Stewart (Brighton)

"There is no way to persuade them except through brute force....And let's be practical - simuulating the death of a few men is certainly worth saving the lives of thousands of Americans."

Wow! I was astounded by Nicholas Fedyk's opinioin on enhanced interrogations techniques. This is the same debate that we're watching now between President Obama and former Vice President Cheney. I disagree with the writer and Cheney.

Enhanced interrogation techniques are lazy and destructive. How many "leads" came to nothing? How much time wasted investigating? Wouldn't the fact that the Untied States is torturing detainees proved to embolden terrorists? Doens't torture take away from any moral standing that the United Sates pursue in the world?

I agree that the protection of our citizens is of utmost importance, but we cannot sacrifice the ideals of the Constituition. As to the writer's comments about his Christian background and Christ's sacrifice for the world - do you actually propose that Jesus Christ would endorse waterboarding?


U.S. guilty of protecting itself by Joan M. Halstead (Irondequoit)

Nicholas Fedyk's May 23 essay on torture had more common sense in it than I have seen on the "letters" page in months. The letters, cartoons and essays are full of inane postings about what torture is, and what it is used for, and whom to prosecute for its use. But, every sane person who believes this country is a "shining light on the hill," believes in protecting it and all its inhabitants.
The United States accused of dropping caterpillars on terrorists in the dark and putting underwear on the head of naked terrorists and laughing - guilty! The United States leads the world in sending money to poverty-stricken nations and supplies during natural disasters - guilty! We have more than 100,000 patriots buried in France alone to establish peace - guilty!

Next to beheading, eye-gouging, bombs on babies and fingernail removal, calling what we do "torture" is ludicrous. Our "torture" leaves the terrorist alive and saves Americans lives, here and abroad.

Note: My article also spurred a heated on-line debate which opened my eyes to the realities of debating in cyberspace. I received over 50 comments from readers, and it was interesting how the opinion of one writer could generate such profuse feedback.