hot topic: should the u.s. use torture?. background facts since the attacks on 9-11 the u.s. has...
TRANSCRIPT
Hot Topic: Should the U.S. use torture?
Background Facts
• Since the attacks on 9-11 the U.S. has been using its Naval Base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba to imprison and interrogate “suspected terrorists” and “enemy combatants.”
• Prisoners have been tortured and killed
Background Fact
• Since 2003 the U.S. military has been using one of Saddam’s old prisons to imprison and interrogate “suspected terrorists.” The name of the prison is Abu Gharib.
• 1000’s of “suspected terrorists” held by the U.S. in prisons around the world.
Abu Gharib Prison, Iraq
Background Facts
• At Abu Gharib prison 7 U.S. soldiers were convicted of torturing and killing Iraqis suspected of being terrorists.
• The Geneva Convention (Art. III) and U.S. law makes “cruel and degrading” treatment illegal.
Yes Arguments
• “The ends justify the means”: Torture is obviously a horrible thing, but it is worth the price if it protects Americans.
• Our enemies showed us no mercy on 9-11, why should we show them any?
• It is better to be feared than loved
No Arguments• If the U.S. breaks the law, the U.S. goes
against all it stands for and becomes a hypocrite.
• Torture is an extremely unreliable source of information.
• Torture puts the U.S. in more danger not less because more people end up hating our country because of torture.
What do you think? And WHY?