TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Letters To The Editor

ADVERTISEMENT

The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 15, 2007

More Concern For Others

Regarding "Ex-CIA Officer Says Torture Tactics Used" (front page, Dec. 12):

Once again we find ourselves on the defensive over alleged CIA torture and the destruction of associated "damning evidence" of such activities. Just like the outrage over "weapons of mass destruction," some people choose to view our country as an imperialist, barbarian regime.

Never mind the fact that, like it or not, our national security, economy and way of life in general are sustained by an energy source supplied from the most unstable region in the world.

Does anyone remember the World Trade Center? Why are some Americans more concerned about the rights, the treatment and the homage paid to our enemies and their religion than they are about our own rights to national and personal self-defense, as well as the inalienable right to embrace or ignore our traditional religious beliefs?

We are not a perfect country, but we are a great country.

STEVE HEMINGWAY

Tampa

Torture Is Not OK

I do not understand why we are even having discussions on what types of interrogation techniques constitute "torture" and what is "OK." If there is a question, it is not OK! If the United States has the technological epitome of intelligence operations that we claim, there is no reason to interrogate low-level personnel who are highly unlikely to have any knowledge of covert operations. Most people will confess to anything under extreme duress. A civilized society should be long past using these techniques.

Torture is endorsed and performed by sadistic individuals who have a need to feel superior to their enemies. It's sickening.

MELANIE HIGGINS

Tampa

More Important To Protect

Is it more important to preserve our reputation as a moral nation, a defender of right and upholders of the Geneva Conventions than to defend Tampa from a nuclear device hidden somewhere in the city? Or to protect the nation's infrastructure from people who would do us harm?

With a morality more concerned with the feelings of others than our own survival, eventually our country could be destroyed by those whose rights we seek to protect, and we could be history. But at least we'll be known as the good guys.

BOB WOMACK

Crystal River

It's Simply Inhuman

Regarding "House Approves Bill Banning Waterboarding" (Nation/World, Dec. 14):

President Bush vows to veto this bill if it passes the Senate. He seems to feel that the use of torture will keep us safe, although the use of harsh interrogation techniques is expressly forbidden in the Army manual. But again, Bush feels he's above the law.

My objections to torture are many. If my country carries out these techniques and I don't object, then I am as responsible as the person committing the acts, and I will have to answer before God. If we carry out torture, we place ourselves on the same moral plane as the country we oppose. Finally, torture is simply inhuman; it dehumanizes the person carrying it out and the person to whom it is done (see Abu Grahib).

FERN WILLIAMS

Zephyrhills

Wake Up, America

If Ted Kennedy's, Nancy Pelosi's and Joe Biden's family members were at risk from a terrorist attack, would they oppose waterboarding or any other method to save their families?

As it turns out, Pelosi knew of the waterboarding, which is the subject of a current witch hunt by the Democratic majority, and did not oppose it at the time it was happening.

The average American could care less about waterboarding or any other method to save American lives. Wake up, America. The terrorists have no problem blowing up innocent civilians, and you could be next if you continue to support the liberal left's misguided morality on how to fight a war.

RON DAKIN

Spring Hill

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT