tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18950992.post4840796161777046433..comments2024-02-13T08:45:20.455-05:00Comments on The Schooley Files: Defining Torture DownKeith Edwin Schooleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06328169815024415532noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18950992.post-32564526528492729942007-10-05T17:06:00.000-04:002007-10-05T17:06:00.000-04:00Fair enough, Scott, although I don't think I'm so ...Fair enough, Scott, although I don't think I'm so much assuming anything as questioning the underlying assumption behind most of the arguments for coercion: namely, that it works. I'm just asking the question, not providing an answer.<BR/><BR/>But effective or not, you are quite right: the real question is, is it compatible with American ideals on one hand, and (more importantly) with our Christian faith on the other.Keith Schooleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04078256877683382439noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18950992.post-1842801473014130882007-10-05T14:54:00.000-04:002007-10-05T14:54:00.000-04:00Keith,You are making a big assumption. I assume th...Keith,<BR/><BR/>You are making a big assumption. I assume there is some merit to coercion becuase it has been used for millenia by many governments. Of course, this doesn't make it right. We should also not assume that it is the only tool used to gather intelligence. If used wisely, judiciously, and in concert with other intelligence gathering techniques, I'm sure it could be effective. However, we must be on guard for the "law of unintended consequences". The Geneva Convention had good reasons to establish guidelines, how does it impact our standing in the world, does it endanger our military people and others? And, then we have the big question, at least for Christians, is it compatible with the Christian faith?<BR/><BR/>ScottScott Shafferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03312545003301027755noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18950992.post-22128099605237010002007-10-05T14:03:00.000-04:002007-10-05T14:03:00.000-04:00I don't know where the line should be drawn. But I...I don't know where the line should be drawn. But I think a prior question would be, Is coercion the best way to get needed intelligence information? I have heard arguments to the effect that torture is a very unreliable means of obtaining information: people who actually have information are likely to clam up, while people who don't are likely to make something up in order to make the torture stop. So you're left with going overboard on one person to get what little driblets you can get, and following wild goose chases from others. I'm not sure torture works even from a pragmatic point of view.Keith Schooleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04078256877683382439noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18950992.post-77962394433842643962007-10-05T11:48:00.000-04:002007-10-05T11:48:00.000-04:00Hi Keith,Good post. Where would you draw the line?...Hi Keith,<BR/><BR/>Good post. Where would you draw the line? Is there no acceptable form of coercion? Or, do we just imprison our enemies and leave it at that?<BR/><BR/>ScottScott Shafferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03312545003301027755noreply@blogger.com