Torture Maybe - McCain Hell No
I just finished reading a great article by Charles Krauthammer in the Weekly Standard
entitled: The
Truth about Torture
Charles Krauthammer is far better in explaining why banning torture
is a “bad idea” than Rosa Brooks did in explaining why “In the end, torture
hurts us” in this LAT
article I commented on the
other day.
DURING THE LAST FEW WEEKS in Washington the pieties about torture have lain so
thick in the air that it has been impossible to have a reasoned discussion. The McCain
amendment that would ban “cruel, inhuman, or degrading” treatment of any prisoner
by any agent of the United States sailed through the Senate by a vote of 90-9. The
Washington establishment remains stunned that nine such retrograde, morally inert
persons–let alone senators–could be found in this noble capital.Now, John McCain has great moral authority on this issue, having heroically borne
torture at the hands of the North Vietnamese. McCain has made fine arguments in defense
of his position. And McCain is acting out of the deep and honorable conviction that
what he is proposing is not only right but is in the best interest of the United States.
His position deserves respect. But that does not mean, as seems to be the assumption
in Washington today, that a critical analysis of his “no torture, ever” policy is
beyond the pale.
Now go forth and read the entire article.