This week we’re talking about one of the most bestial and savage things the state can do to the individual: torture. Our discussion is especially relevant in light of the release of the Senate Intelligence Committee’s report on the Central Intelligence Agency’s detention and interrogation programs.
What exactly did the C.I.A. do and why is it being seen as torture? How long has this program been going on? What makes people say that torture is okay in this situation? What happens now? Can we charge specific people with criminal actions? What does it say about us as a nation if we approve of torture?
Show Notes and Further Reading
U.S. Senate Report on the C.I.A.’s Detention and Interrogtion Program (Full text version, hosted on Wikipedia)
Patrick G. Eddington, “Brennan, Torture, and the Accountability Vacuum” (blog post)
Washington Post, “New poll finds majority of Americans think torture was justified after 9/11 attacks” (article)
Pew Research Center, “Americans’ views on use of torture in fighting terrorism have been mixed” (article)
John McCain CIA Torture Report Senate Speech: Torture Was Ineffective, Stained Our National Honor (video)
NBC News, “Cheney on Interrogation Tactics: I Would Do It Again in a Minute” (article/video)
The Daily Beast, “The Luxury Homes That Torture and Your Tax Dollars Built” (article)
CIA Director John Brennan defends agency in wake of torture report (video)
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