Torture

Torture has been used by the United States in recent memories and it is completely unfathomable and wrong. In our American culture, we have a set standard against torture in any way, shape or form. Even our Conservative Party has a candidate running for office that was tortured and objects to its use in any situation. In our eyes there is no excuse for torture whatsoever and I found it interesting that the question referred to it as "wrongful" torture. It is very hard to explain my views on the issue because it is so deeply embedded into my being that I am against any form of torture, no matter what the stakes or the purpose. It seems to take away a key essence in what it means to be human and equal to one another, as the victim is being subjugated to something no living creature should. It could be argued against me that what if in order to save the entire planet from nuclear holocaust one has to torture someone for information. That is such a troubling case but I am forced to stand my ground as it is so imbedded in my character. If it came down to the world's safety at the expense of torture I would have to let the world die. I think there is just a mental line that one should not pass, or at least that I will not let myself pass, no matter what the cost. And in the case of the US using torture, what was gained from the suffering of those POWs? Was some major terrorist catastophe avoided that I am not aware of? To the best of my knowledge we have still not caught Osama bin Laden. So what are we left to stare at in the mirror at the end of the day? Someone who crossed the line between man and beast; someone who gained nothing in return of losing everything.