Is anyone besides me amazed at the irony?
Regardless of your opinion concerning whether waterboarding is justifiable, it has been practiced by Americans for years. Among many other “torturous” tactics (sensory deprivation, etc.), it has been very effectively used as a military training technique in our elite survival schools. Certainly not fun for those involved—but effective in mentally preparing our troops for survival in the most hostile situations imaginable.
I find it incredibly ironic that a technique deemed humane enough to be used on our own troops as a training tool is at the same time railed against as being too cruel for those who have vowed to destroy us.
In a way, it reminds me of a similar attitude displayed in the months following the first Gulf War. As the number of people deployed rapidly declined in the weeks following Operation DESERT STORM, there was a tremendous surplus of field supplies—specifically MREs (Meals Ready to Eat). In an effort to keep the surplus from going to waste, an alternative use was suggested. Why not send those unused military meals to the prisons? The food would not be wasted, and the government could save the money it would normally cost to feed the prisoners. To most reasonable people, it seemed like a great solution.
But not all people are reasonable. There was a public outcry from activists. They hired nutritionists who in turn publicized their findings that MREs were not suitable for the delicate palates of prisoners. In other words, they were fine for our military, but our prisoners deserved much better.
The same attitude is on display now. Waterboarding and other techniques are perfectly suitable for our military who have sworn to protect and defend our country. But terrorists who have sworn to destroy us? They clearly deserve much better. Truly ironic...
Regardless of your opinion concerning whether waterboarding is justifiable, it has been practiced by Americans for years. Among many other “torturous” tactics (sensory deprivation, etc.), it has been very effectively used as a military training technique in our elite survival schools. Certainly not fun for those involved—but effective in mentally preparing our troops for survival in the most hostile situations imaginable.
I find it incredibly ironic that a technique deemed humane enough to be used on our own troops as a training tool is at the same time railed against as being too cruel for those who have vowed to destroy us.
In a way, it reminds me of a similar attitude displayed in the months following the first Gulf War. As the number of people deployed rapidly declined in the weeks following Operation DESERT STORM, there was a tremendous surplus of field supplies—specifically MREs (Meals Ready to Eat). In an effort to keep the surplus from going to waste, an alternative use was suggested. Why not send those unused military meals to the prisons? The food would not be wasted, and the government could save the money it would normally cost to feed the prisoners. To most reasonable people, it seemed like a great solution.
But not all people are reasonable. There was a public outcry from activists. They hired nutritionists who in turn publicized their findings that MREs were not suitable for the delicate palates of prisoners. In other words, they were fine for our military, but our prisoners deserved much better.
The same attitude is on display now. Waterboarding and other techniques are perfectly suitable for our military who have sworn to protect and defend our country. But terrorists who have sworn to destroy us? They clearly deserve much better. Truly ironic...
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