Sunday, December 7, 2014

Predictions of violence and death before release of CIA torture report. Yahoo/AP

House Intelligence chairman Mike Rodgers (R). Yahoo/AP

House Intelligence chairman Mike Rodgers (R) says that the release of the Senates report on torture could lead to deaths and violence. Yahoo/AP. Rodgers claims that foreign governments and intelligence officials are predicting the report will be used to incite radicals to violence. The report is due to be released this week and is 480 pages long. The Obama administration supports the release of the report, but John Kerry is criticizing the timing of its release. In addition, security at embassies and consulates across the world has been increased. The report details the so called "enhanced interrogation" program and details what forms of torture were used. The report also claims that no credible intelligence was collected through the program. 

My Comment:
I predict a lot of hypocritical anger over this report. Sure the U.S. government did some shady things, but so does every government in the world. This is especially true for governments in the Middle East. In other words, people should get their own house in order before complaining about the United States. 

As for torture itself, I have always said that if torturing a terrorist prevents a terror attack it is probably worth it. Too bad that torture usually isn't effective. Torture is very good at gathering false confessions and punishing people that you don't like, but it isn't all that good at collecting reliable information. 

We shall see if the predictions of violence are correct. I'm predicting that they are, but it will be limited to demonstrations and riots. The people capable of larger attacks are already angry enough and don't need any further encouragement to conduct terror attacks. I'll revisit this issue when the report is released. 

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