Critical Distinctions, Please

John Henke highlights several instances of torture or mistreatment of Iraqi prisoners. He concludes: But whenever I see supporters of the war glossing over--even praising--torture, indefinite detainment, efforts to avoid the law....and demanding no explanation from the people who authored and engaged in these things....? Well, I wonder whether some of us are becoming the amoral participants that we profess to fight? Now, I have no idea in the world whether any of the actions John cited actually took place, and if they did, under what circumstances or justification. I also don't doubt that there have been unjustified abuses during this war. But what I don't get is how people can, on the one hand, understand the moral justification for us dropping two atomic bombs and killing over 200,000 civilians, and far more than that during the space of our fire-bombing campaigns of Tokyo, and on the other, conceive of no instance where torture of a detainee is morally justified. Most people should not have to think very hard to come up with at least three instances where they would cheer for torture. How about your spouse, child or close relative being detained in an undisclosed location, in danger for...


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Richard Nikoley

I started writing Free The Animal in late 2003 as just a little thing to try. 20 years later, turns out I've written over 5,000 posts. I blog what I wish...from diet, health, lifestyle...to philosophy, politics, social antagonism, adventure travel, expat living, location and time independent—while you sleep— income by geoarbitrage, and food pics. I intended to travel the world "homeless," but the Covidiocy Panicdemic squashed that. I became an American expat living in Thailand. I celebrate the audacity and hubris to live by your own exclusive authority and take your own chances. ... I leave the toilet seat up. Read More

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