More on torture

Torture is the act of inflicting pain and suffering on an individual over whom we have complete control. As such it is the exemplar of extreme human cruelty. I can accept that someone may be driven to torture because of circumstances that are overwhelming at the moment. That person I can forgive. I cannot accept torture as policy. Leave aside the illegality. Leave aside the sophistry that would have us believe that after centuries waterboarding is no longer to be considered torture. To torture is to darken one's soul. As an instrument of national policy, torture darkens the nation's soul.