In defense of ‘enhanced’ questioning

Regarding the current U.S. policy on torture of cease-and-desist, allow me to vent my opposition to those bleeding hearts who support it. Wake up and smell the coffee, the flowers, or anything else that floats your boat. The U.S. is engaged in a war against Islamic terrorism in Iraq and Afghanistan, and employing any means possible-including waterboarding-to extract information from those who wish to destroy us should always be an option, and left on the table.

There are those patriots like former Vice President Dick Cheney, who realize this and have the chutzpah, guts, and temerity to speak out in favor of such harsh treatment against those evil-doers who threaten our national security and democratic ideals.

The argument that torture doesn’t work and only encourages our enemies to use the same methods and tactics against us is lame, and totally without merit. I believe Cheney when he unequivocally says it does work, and that because such actions were used, an incalculable number of American lives were saved. Who should know better than he, who was at the epicenter of power during the Bush Administration? If, however, there are those who doubt the former vice-president’s veracity, then allow the CIA to open up its secret files and make them public, as Cheney has long insisted. Also, it’s noteworthy to mention that the U.S. is not bound by the accords of the Geneva Convention relative to the rules of war, as its enemies do not constitute sovereign nations, but rather, barbaric terrorists and criminals.

Furthermore, does one think for one moment that our adversaries have any sense of right or wrong, and believe in humane treatment of prisoners? Torture and the imposition of the worst forms of cruelty are second nature to them, and unhesitatingly, they will continue to use such methods regardless of the present U.S. policy, as it will make not one iota of difference to them.

Notwithstanding President Barack Obama’s vehement opposition to such means to extract information, he is completely and unequivocally wrong on this issue. As commander-in-chief, his first responsibility under the Constitution is to keep our nation safe from its enemies, and thus, when absolutely vital and necessary to our country’s national security, the most severe means of interrogation should, and must always remain, a viable option.

Gene Carton, Olivette