Torture Debate pg. 139

Waterboarding is a form of torture that is used to get information from prisoners. The prisoner’s feet are strapped to a board hanging upside down with his mouth and nose covered. Then water is poured over their face, causing a sense of drowning. The U.S government denies using any such methods on its prisoners. According to human rights groups and the U.S. state department, there are about 160 countries that use torture methods. Many countries now use the U.S. as an explanation as to why they practice torturing, because of the methods that the U.S. used post 9/11. The U.S. has opened itself to possible charges of being a hypocrite by losing its position as the leader in the fight against human rights abuses. Many believe that aggressive interrogation methods are needed to protect against future terrorist attacks. I’m not sure if all torture methods are going to be effective because most will say what is wanted out of them in order to end their suffering. On the other hand it can be used as a deterrence tool; to send a signal to anyone who is an opponent that there will be very bad repercussions.