Posted by
Roxanna M. on Tuesday, November 20, 2007 10:47:58 AM
Torture is most commonly defined as something that causes agony or pain, the infliction of intense pain.
Does this include waterboarding? I would say no. I do so for the simple reason that an individual recently volunteered to be waterboarded. I submit that he would not have volunteered to have his fingernails pulled out or bamboo shoved under them and then set on fire. I submit that he would not have volunteered to be flogged. I submit that he would not have volunteered to have electrodes strapped to his most sensitive body parts and then turned on. I submit that he would not have volunteered for chemical interrogation.
I submit, therefore, that he voluntarily submitted to something that might have caused him discomfort but not agony, i.e., not torture.
It has been said that subjecting detainees to loud music is torture. Then, rock concerts constitute torture and should be abolished.
It has been said that subjecting detainees to temperature extremes is torture. Then, I should have the right to sue Uncle Sam for the day I almost froze my butt off in the local federal court building.
It has been said that the treatment of prisoners at Abu Ghraib was torture. Then, fraternity hazings are torture and should be abolished.
By using the word torture to describe every single thing that makes someone uncomfortable, we take away its meaning. If we take away its meaning, what word will we have left to describe what the islamofascists do on a regular basis?