I am so old that I remember when the debate on torture was

[rurallib]

summed up into a short sentenca. To wit: "The United States does not engage in torture." And it was agreed to by both sides.

[Realityhack]

1. Interisting question for the historians out there...

was that EVER true in the US? Just wondering because the more I learn about history the more I wonder.

[mike_c]

3. it was not ever true-- we have ALWAYS tortured our enemies....

The difference was that we were ashamed of it and we did not support it as policy. It is human nature to abuse one's enemies and it takes an act of will to deny the impulse to brutality. Some folks have always lacked that will, as have some American institutions. But we CODIFIED decency into our Constitution and then into our legal system, so we have at least tried to be better than we were.

Until now. That is the real failure of the Bush administration in human rights terms, and the legacy for which it will be remembered. This was the administration-- and the congress-- that embraced the worst aspects of human nature because that is all they know. Under the high-falutin' moralizing of the christian right lies the moral rapacity of the inquisitor.

[Realityhack]

4. That was so well put.

thats exactly what I was trying to say in one of my posts on the Convention against Torture thead. It does take an act of will to not turture and when the tempers are flairing is exactly when we need our laws to keep us in line.

Excelent post.

[hootinholler]

6. Well said! n/t

[Sam Odom]

7. In the real world most here on DU would "torture" another human

Within certain conditions & involving the the right people most here would "torture" another human being.

[KoKo]

8. "Some" might.....but so many wouldn't. There's always a "few" anywhere

who will do anything. But, at one time we did not believe that "Torture" was the way to go. That's because the experience of the Jews in concentration camps were burned into our minds. The atrocities the Nazi's did were supposed to NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN!

Seems...times have changed.

[Realityhack]

9. Sadly...

you may be right.

[Glib Acumen]

2. I'm so old I cannot ...

remember when torture was ever condoned by a court or legislature in any country.

[Generic Brad]

5. That must make us all at least six years old

Because torture was unthinkable before the year 2000.