Torture: A Moral, or Political Issue?

Americans have quite the wide range of opinions on, and definitions of, torture. Some say water boarding is torture, others say yelling is torture. This post will analyze the "torture" techniques used by the Bush Administration, and whether it is a moral, or political issue for the Obama Administration.

President Obama has flip flopped on the issue of prosecutions of former Bush Administration Officials. When over the weekend, and Monday, both the President and his Chief of Staff said the administration would not look into prosecutions of former Bush Administration officials. One reason for the flip, could be the pressure of liberal interest groups.

MoveOn.org has started a petition to Attorney General Eric Holder to look into prosecution. However, one must remember the reason MoveOn.org was founded. In the late 90's the group formed to send a message to the Republican Congress to move on, and not investigate President Clinton's wrong doings in the White House.

A second reason for the flop, may be for strictly political reasons. The release of the memos were not at random, but were released to get the public eye off the tea parties, and once again lay blame on the Bush Administration. One thing the Obama Administration does not understand however, is the damage this can, and will bring to their administration, and our country. Bush lawyers are now looking at prosecution for giving legal advice. Although the methods, at the time, were legal. Not only that, but leaders in Congress were given a full briefing on the enhanced interrogation methods. If pursued, there is no telling where this would stop. Releasing interrogations to the public, are basically telling our enemies what to expect if captured. That's why the United States Military has water boarded their own, because they want soldiers to know what to expect if captured. The United States has lost much leverage over these terrorists. Also, interrogators will be cautious in digging for information. They will not be investigative enough, due to the fear of prosecution.

Finally, the definition of torture is not defined clearly. The way we are headed, raising your voice to a detainee will be considered "harsh" interrogation. Interrogation methods authorized at the time: water boarding, sleep deprivation, placing a prisoner in a room with a caterpillar, removing religious items, solitary confinement. In my opinion, that is not harsh enough tactics to use against men who have plotted, and succeeded, to kill thousands of Americans. Especially when American Soldiers captured prisoner in Iraq, and Afghanistan, are subject to their fingers be chopped off, and the use of blow torches, meat cleavers against them.

Bottom Line: The political popularity of releasing the memos, does not out way National Security.