Clarence's opinion on the Senate panel torture report.

Top: Dick Cheney. Bottom: Hermann Goering on trial in Nuremberg.

Before I tell you what I think, let's hear from a few others:

"... we're fortunate to have men and women who work hard at the CIA serving on our behalf. These are patriots. And whatever the report says, if it diminishes their contributions to our country, it is way off base." Source (one of many) >

--Fmr President George W Bush

“They deserve a lot of praise. As far as I’m concerned, they ought to be decorated, not criticized.” Source >

--Dick Cheney to the New York Times

"... in the immediate aftermath of 9/11 we did some things that were wrong… we tortured some folks. We did some things that were contrary to our values… And it's important for us not to feel too sanctimonious in retrospect about the tough job that those folks had. And a lot of those folks were working hard under enormous pressure and are real patriots." Source >

--President Obama

This is one of those very rare instances where there is a big fat line between right and wrong, and you simply have to choose what side you're on.

And as for me? Torture is wrong, regardless of what intelligence it yields. Whether it works or not is beside the point.

c0

Final thought: Being criticized by countries that routinely practice torture is hard to stomach, but that's the price for taking the high road. When you present yourself as a model of elevated values, every failure will be magnified.

[2014-12-09]

c0