Would you be allright with American soldiers be waterboarded?

[Vesayen]

If American soldiers were captured in war, would it be allright to wateroard them?

If not, then can we use a "interrogation" technique on others, that we would not allow used on our own soldiers?

I heard this analysis earlier today and thought it was very clever.

For those of you unaware, this is one definition of waterboarding:

Waterboarding is a [...] technique that simulates drowning in a controlled environment. It consists of immobilizing an individual on his or her back, with the head inclined downward, and pouring water over the face[1] to force the inhalation of water into the lungs.[2] Waterboarding has been used to obtain information, coerce confessions, punish, and intimidate. In contrast to merely submerging the head, waterboarding elicits the gag reflex,[3] and can make the subject believe death is imminent. Waterboarding's use as a method of torture or means to support interrogation is based on its ability to cause extreme mental distress while possibly creating no lasting physical damage to the subject. The psychological effects on victims of waterboarding can last long after the procedure.[4] Although waterboarding in cases can leave no lasting physical damage, it carries the real risks of extreme pain, damage to the lungs, brain damage caused by oxygen deprivation, injuries as a result of struggling against restraints (including broken bones), and even death.[5]

Numerous experts have described this technique as torture.[6][7][8][9][10][11][12] Some nations have also criminally prosecuted individuals for performing waterboarding, including the United States.[13]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waterboarding

I'll check in the morning for responses.

[Whoha]

No, and yes.

[Harovan]

Generally spoken, my answer to the first question would be a strict no. However, considering the current circumstances, if it would happen in reality, my protest wouldn't be too loud. I would probably just shrug.

The second question is irrelevant. It does not matter what interrogation methods "the other side" uses. A civilized country should use civilized methods and not rely on medieval practices like torture. "The other side" is sawing off heads with rusty knives too, but that does not give you the moral right to do the same.

[Donegeal]

Considering the alternative against the insurgents is a slow beheading by a dull knife/saw (or death in general), I think waterboarding is fine.

[Edit] See Sir Ralph's post above.

[Patroklos]

That is a stupid question Vesayen. Assuming I am at war with a group, it is not okay with me for them to capture my comrades in the first place let alone conduct any interrogation on them period.

Thats why we shoot at them in the first place

[Vesayen]

Doneageal:

Not relevant. I did not ask about "insurgents"(don't get me started on that loaded word), I asked about another govmt. capturing our soldiers. In a future war, you don't think another "civilized" country will look back to this day and much easier justify torturing out own soldiers?

Patroklo: Yet if we want other civilized nations to treat our soldiers with respect, we should do the same to theirs, if captured?

[Arrian]

1. It's alright, not allright.

2. No, I wouldn't be alright with it. I'm not alright with our useage of it. And I'm pretty ****ing far from alright with sawing people's heads off, but that should be obvious.

-Arrian

[Harovan]

If we're talking about symmetric warfare (i.e. against countries), let's put it this way...

What Americans do today is mostly based on the right of the stronger to define what's right and wrong. As long as America remains the strongest and retains the military doctrine just to destroy with as little boots on the ground as possible, this question is rather theoretical, as a war against larger powers is unlikely since MAD still works, and smaller countries will be crushed with little casualties (and captives).

If a power stronger than the US emerges, they will define what's right and wrong. So whatever they in this theoretical case will do to American soldiers, will be right.

[Vesayen]

So your saying that international agreements on the treatment of prisoners should be ignored and the strong do as they may, the weak as they must?

[Harovan]

Originally posted by Vesayen
So your saying that international agreements on the treatment of prisoners should be ignored and the strong do as they may, the weak as they must?

I'm not saying that it should be this way. I'm saying that it is this way now and I have little reason to believe that this will change soon.

[Vesayen]

If there is sufficient public will, it will change.

My question in the OP was not "Is it this way?" but "should it be this way"?

[Arrian]

Public will where, though? SR is talking about a future scenario with a non-US dominant power. Let's say it's the PRC. Public will? Yeah...

-Arrian

[Harovan]

Originally posted by Vesayen
If there is sufficient public will, it will change.

My question in the OP was not "Is it this way?" but "should it be this way"?

My opinion stands - "no" to the first question, but since the US uses the same practice, I wouldn't protest very loud. And what the "other side" uses for methods, should never have impact on your own - else you would identify yourself with them. You should always act by your own moral values.

There you have twice "should". It clashes with the reality, though.

[Patroklos]

Yet if we want other civilized nations to treat our soldiers with respect, we should do the same to theirs, if captured?

If you can come up with one instance where a power didn't treat an enemy's soldiers in a manor they wanted to just becasue their enemy wasn't doing it to their soldiers, you would have a point.

The opposite is true as well, I can't think of one instance where a country treated their enemy's soldiers badly when they didn't want to just becasue their enemy was treating their soldiers badly.

[Reiko]

It doesn't matter if anyone would be "ok" with it or not, it will happen anyways. Considering who the US is fighting, waterboarding would be humane treatment compared to cutting people's heads off.
Also not to mention some US military personnel go through waterboarding as part of their training.