Has the U.S. Been Engaged in Systemic Torture?

BHCWarman88 · 05-07-2006, 04:35

Originally Posted by Tribesman

Do I ever have a point?
Sometimes Capo

so,
What your Point??

**PanzerJaeger** · 05-07-2006, 04:38

No, the US does not engage in systemic torture. It has happened, but it is not policy.

**KukriKhan** · 05-07-2006, 06:09

http://www.answers.com/systemic&r=67 another cross-over word from medicine to politics.

I guess our Lemur, by his citations and usage means:

affecting an entire system

that system being the military, from its commander in chief down to, and understood by, the lowest-ranking West Virginia trailer park reservist private soldier.

Different from 'Systematic'.

The implication being: did/does someone, somewhere in the US military chain of command, direct or condone applying toture?

Clearly, some Privates thought so. And some Sergeants. And some Officers.

Were they all wrong in that "it's OK" thinking? A 'perfect storm' of miscommunication and predisposition to aberrent behavior? Maybe.

Or: was/is there a wink-and-nod approval of such tactics by someone, or several someones, in the chain of command - presumeably, as long as it yielded results? Maybe.

Lots of 'maybe's there, but I voted "No". My Army of 20 years ago would never do such, so I assume today's military likewise would not.

But I recognize that 'my Army' of 30 years ago... might have.

And I fervently hope that those nightmare days of the late 60's/early 70's haven't returned. If they have, we are in big trouble. Politically, militarily, morally. IMO.

**Lemur** · 05-07-2006, 15:46

It's true, I meant "systemic" in the sense of affecting an entire system. Immediately after posting, I realized it wasn't really the right word, but I left it alone, since I've never figured out how to edit the title of a thread after posting.

Later on I realized someone might think I mis-typed "systematic," which only added to my agony. Oh, the shame of selecting a not-quite-right word for a title.

**John86** · 05-07-2006, 16:52

Im sure they have, yet I dont care. Right or wrong, its still American.

Toture is present, but it in no ways affects our entire system.

**Crazed Rabbit** · 05-07-2006, 17:03

"Affecting an entire system"-no.

Disturbingly present? Yes.

Crazed Rabbit

**Leet Eriksson** · 05-07-2006, 17:48

Here is my opinion.

NO.

I think the US needs to better control the press, becuase the media eventually snowballs things to hell.

I don't believe its systematic, more like sporadic with some of the ones torturing prisoners going a bit over the top.

**BigTex** · 05-07-2006, 17:51

Sure there's probably been some cases were soldiers have brutalized some prisoners, that always happens in war to any country. But no its not systematic. Though I hardly care either way, as most of these organizations complaining consider yelling at someone torcher.

**scooter_the_shooter** · 05-07-2006, 21:14

Yes! the USA is torturing the poor people who defend their nation, The american mercs are cutting the freedom fighter's hands off! Sense I am a yankee I Decided to find the nearest a-rab I could and beat him, hook a car battery up to his scrotum and cut one of his toes off every hour!

Time to go steal some oil!....after I feed his hands to the dogs while he watches!

In all seriousness, I dont think torture is in much(official) use by the USA. Unless you count sleep deprivation and other interrogation techniques of that nature. But we can't control what every guard does when no one is watching.