Legality of torture

The truth serum, not sure if that's actually realistically achievable. If they came up with something there would be ways to go around it. Doubt it will happen.

But by keeping the door open for a 'magical truth serum' of the future would also keep the door open for all other stuff that they'd be allowed to inject into the POW's.

Originally Posted by OneToughHerring

The truth serum, not sure if that's actually realistically achievable. If they came up with something there would be ways to go around it. Doubt it will happen.

But by keeping the door open for a 'magical truth serum' of the future would also keep the door open for all other stuff that they'd be allowed to inject into the POW's.

Very good point. Especialy considering the CIA's involvement with LSD experimentation on their own soldiers and civilians, in addition to foreign nationals.

[TBoone]

I'm just saying that the Geneva Convention should only aply to actual Soldiers not these Murderers we call Terorists.

[TLAM Strike]

Originally Posted by TBoone

I'm just saying that the Geneva Convention should only aply to actual Soldiers not these Murderers we call Terorists.

The North Vietnamese used the same logic to torture US POWs.

[tater]

Originally Posted by TLAM Strike

The North Vietnamese used the same logic to torture US POWs.

Read the GC, the language clearly implies reciprocity among signers and their allies/client states.

Otherwise there would not be so much language to determine if the person in question falls into the category of someone protected.

That said, I'm fine with staying on the "good" side of things—but as close to the edge as is legally possible assuming it is effective. That means a gnat's hair to one side of "severe" as defined in the GC, etc. Note that even the expanded definitions posted above merely add "prolonged" to the list of mental pain. There is nothing at all definitive there.

Remember that during the Bush administration they were bashed for having THIS discussion we're having right now. Just talking about where the limits might be was reported as dangerous and wrong. Given the intentionally vague language, not having this discussion would have been irresponsible, IMHO.

[tater]

Originally Posted by OneToughHerring

The truth serum, not sure if that's actually realistically achievable. If they came up with something there would be ways to go around it. Doubt it will happen.

But by keeping the door open for a 'magical truth serum' of the future would also keep the door open for all other stuff that they'd be allowed to inject into the POW's.

There is no "truth serum," though many drugs used for anesthesia produce effects that can absolutely reduce barriers. Talk to anyone who works in an OR, and they'll tell you all kinds of funny stories about patients talking about inappropriate stuff.