Misdirected patriotism.

If, oh boy like this is possible, we had any sense of respect for the right of the people to NOT know every detail, what a different conversation we would be having.

The faulty, but sincere, belief of some that the necessity to micromanage both our government and our military by the people is the only way to evidence free speech in a free society has eroded the function of both.

I am of the opinion that anyone who targets civilians and children is full of hate and does not have or need a reason. If you believe there is something we have done to cause their behavior then Ron Paul is your guy, the Blowback theory.

Anyone who mutilates and defiles a body after killing the person is not rational and would not be influenced by our civility or by our use of waterboarding.

For me if our country has a high value target in our possession and lives can be saved by using a technique against terrorists that snaps them like a dry twig then go for it.

I understand the military application of the Geneva Convention. The question is if right is always right and when is it possibly wrong?

I am truly conflicted over this. Is the perception of torture as a technique we use to gain information, regardless of the credentials of the parties involved, enough to influence others to do the same to our captured soldiers? If the radical Islamic sees himself as a warrior for Islam, does the formality of their organization matter in the the world’s view.

I could give a rat’s patootie about the worlds view except when it would offer an inflamed sense of anger toward our fighting men and women.

I don’t know where I am on this one. When done correctly and with the emphasis of a trained military interrogator versus a passionate political demonstrator, it could easily be tortuous.

My family has had 3 serve in the Iraq war, one a pilot with 4 deployments of his own. If any of them was captured would I consider that inhumane and in violation of the Geneva Convention? My son was in the Air Force, would his training hold up and be enough? Could it be lethal force? If it was used to prevent a bomb in an American school yard or airport, would I care then?

Immediately after 9-11, in a private conversation and probably after a beer or two a very good friend, who is a retired colonel, said we should hunt them down and right before they are executed pour pigs blood on them. Now that would be internationally despised and certainly considered inhumane. The pig blood would banish them to hell according to their beliefs. We do not see it as anything immortally damning but a very dirty and undignified way to go. So, is it OK?

I do not have what it takes to make this call. I must depend on someone who has seen all sides of war and peace. Faced real loss in real circumstances and lived through it. And even then I am not sure that in this day and age there is any good answer.

Joe I would never question the senator’s authority on that issue.

I am questioning a technique that several people are willing to have performed on them. Did you view all the videos we linked to? The redneck one is just some guy in his driveway. He obviously did not like it but was perfectly willing to let his friends waterboard him.

Whatever the case, it feels like 1996 all over again. (Don’t blame me; I voted for Forbes!)