After the September 11, 2001 terror attacks the George W. Bush administration authorized the use of “enhanced interrogation techniques” at secret detention facilities around the world run by the defense department and CIA. The authorization approved the use of many techniques including beatings, binding in stress positions, hooding, sleep deprivation and waterboarding. In 2008 President Obama signed an executive order banning the use torture by the U.S. military and CIA. In 2016 the use of torture became a topic during the Presidential race when candidate Donald Trump suggested…
Read more59% Yes |
41% No |
46% Yes |
32% No |
6% Yes, but only as a last resort |
4% No, torture is inhumane, unethical, and violates the 8th amendment |
3% Yes, but only if they are convicted terrorists |
3% No, and we should strictly follow the laws of the Geneva Convention |
2% Yes, allow the use of psychological but not physical tactics |
2% No, torture is an ineffective form of interrogation |
2% Yes, we must use any means necessary to prevent terrorism |
See how support for each position on “Torture” has changed over time for 2.5m America voters.
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See how importance of “Torture” has changed over time for 2.5m America voters.
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Unique answers from America users whose views extended beyond the provided choices.
@8GN4YCZ4yrs4Y
No, while not only is it ineffective, psychology indicates that a person can and will (falsely) incriminate themselves to stop the torture
@4P82YYH3yrs3Y
Enhanced interrogation should be allowed as well as psychological interrogation. These terrorists perform extreme atrocities on anyone, including innocent civilians. Our enhanced interrogation is child's play compared to what they do. This question should really be answered by someone under the threat of terrorism, or who has family of friends in captivity or otherwise affected by a terrorist act. You can pretty much guess what the answer will be 99.9% of the time.
@4PCJZXR3yrs3Y
We are the only country in the world that worries about being politically correct. If you go to any other country illegally and get caught, you will see horrible conditions, and not get any fair treatment. If you are believed to be a terrorist or spy in another country water boarding would be at the bottom of their lists. Other countries do much more horrible things like electrocution tactics, etc.. Yes torture is cruel, but how cruel is the planning of mass murder in the name of a religion. When you deal with animals that think a man, woman or child don't have the right to live because they don't believe in their ideology, well in my opinion the gloves need to come off.
@4XV68J73yrs3Y
Yes! These are not the traditional enemy combatants that have signed onto the Geneva convention agreement. They are clandestine, guerrilla warfare zealots who will give their lives for their cause anyway.
@4PWMQ5M3yrs3Y
I'm with Sam Harris. Torture should be strictly banned. In world-ending-nuclear-threat situations where torture seems the only path, the ethics of preventing mass death should outweigh the immorality of breaking the law and an individual's human rights. So... it should basically never be allowed.
@4NWJXRY3yrs3Y
Yes, IF combatants of the USA use these techniques. NO, IF combatants of USA do not use these techniques.
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