Torture has long been used as a means to secure vital information that, without the use of torture, may come too late to have any effect on the outcome of a situation. Does torture still have its place in todays society? Should torture still be used when needed? These are the questions that our lawmakers and fellow citizens are faced with as some argue that the use of torture is immoral and should be outlawed. These questions deserve to be analyzed and considered as we evolve as a country and society. Torture should be legal, in some cases, as a way to obtain time-sensitive information that could help saves the lives of innocent people and as a means to protect the citizens of the United States.
The use of torture may seem morally wrong to some, but yet it still maintains it’s place in today’s society. Sometimes, in extreme cases where the lives of innocent people are at stake, torture can be used to save lives and prevent terrorist attacks. If interrogators had the right to torture prisoners that were withholding crucial information they would be able to saves the lives of innocent people. Document F describes a “ticking bomb” scenario in which the use of torture could be warranted. For example, let's say that right after the first plane hit the Twin Towers in New York you had a person in custody who admitted they had overheard the S-11 organisers' plans and knew there were going to be further attacks, but then refused to say any more. In those circumstances you would start with a minimum degree of harm, if that didn't work, you would escalate it. In doing this an interrogator might be able to obtain the information that could prevent further attacks.
Some who are opposed to allowing the use of torture in extreme cases argue that the information gained during interrogation while using torture is often false because, as stated in Document E, “People will say anything under torture.” Although this may be the case in some situations, often times the use of...