The Ethics of Torture Essay Example for Free

The Ethics of Torture Essay Torture is causing pain and suffering to gain information and confessions. It’s a traditional, historical, well-understood term. Waterboarding is a form of torture in which a bound, gagged prisoner is forced to breathe in water. There are several techniques but all produce the same effects, a physical sensation of drowning and a psychological sensation of panic, fear and loss of control. Calling it anything other than torture is absurd. You wouldn’t call a bank robbery a â€Å"cash gathering technique,† even if the president said it was so. There are no such things as â€Å"enhanced interrogation methods. † That is the euphemism the Bush administration used in 2002 when they were redefining torture so the president could authorize it. There is never an excuse to torture a person, not even during war. It undermines our cause, endangers our soldiers on the battlefield by encouraging reciprocity, and it breeds more enemies of the United States than coercive interrogation methods will ever allow us to capture. As recently as November 12th of this year, Herman Cain and Rep. Michele Bachmann said during a Republican presidential debate in South Carolina that they would approve waterboarding of prisoners to extract information. They denied that waterboarding is torture, even though it’s been classified as such since the Spanish Inquisition. â€Å"Very disappointed by statements at S. C. GOP debate supporting waterboarding,† Senator John McCain wrote on Twitter two days later. â€Å"Waterboarding is torture. † This is a man who was a POW during the Vietnam War. Having been tortured at the hands of the North Vietnamese, he knows first-hand what that kind of treatment can do to a human being. If we truly believe ourselves to be a model for the world and an example for all of history, then why would we practice torture? When you pour water onto someone until he gasps for air and feels as if he’s drowning, you’re not enhancing your interrogation. You’re putting him through a hell as physical as it is psychological. You’re torturing him, by any sane definition of the term. When we deny any sort of justice or due process to individuals in the name of protecting America, we become the ultimate hypocrites. How can we as a nation, hold other nations to standards that we’re not meeting ourselves? In 2009, Dick Cheney told Fox News that, Those interrogations were involved in the arrest of nearly all the Al Qaeda members that we were able to bring to justice. Cheney’s statement begs the question, how many innocent people were imprisoned and tortured in our fanatical hunt for possible terrorists? Well, out of about 775 detainees held at GITMO, 420 were released without being charged. Less than 10 were ever convicted of terrorist activities. The abuse of prisoners can occasionally produce good intelligence but more often produces bad intelligence, Under torture a person will say anything he thinks his captors want to hear — true or false — if he believes it will relieve his suffering. Often, information provided to stop the torture is deliberately misleading. Senator McCain has said that while being tortured, he was asked for the names of all the men in his regiment. He gave his captors the names of the Green Bay Packers offensive line instead. The most obvious thing we can do is stand as an example of a nation that holds an individual’s human rights as superior to the will of the majority. Write your congressmen and tell them that the sanctioned use of torture by the government is wrong. If we as a nation build a wall of fear with the rest of the world, it’s a decision with far-reaching negative consequences. Through the violence, chaos and heartache of war, through deprivation and cruelty and loss, we are always Americans, and different, stronger and better than those who would destroy us.

George Withers poem, By Knowledge, Life wee gaine, All other things to Death pertaine :: Philosophy Poet Poem Essays

George Wither's poem, By Knowledge, Life wee gaine, All other things to Death pertaine "Vivitur Ingenio Caetera Mortis Erut," roughly translated means, "Live intellectually. In all other matters, death is master." This phrase borders the emblem of George Wither's poem, By Knowledge, Life wee gaine, All other things to Death pertaine. This poem admonishes the reader to beware of a life too concerned with worldly pleasures, titles and treasures, which he says, belong to death and will return to him upon our death. He entreats us, rather, to concentrate on knowledge, honest actions, holy study and charity, which will provide a virtuous nature which cannot be removed by kings, time or death. In Thomas More's Utopia, we see an example of a people living by these examples, but in a self-motivated way. The fact that this society has adopted these sentiments as a purely logical survival mechanism can be seen in the differing attitudes between Utopian individual and Utopian nation toward education and learning, wealth and virtue. The poem's emblem shows a man, sitting under the Tree of Knowledge, with his hand on a stack of books contemplating lofty thoughts. He has his back turned from personified Death. George Wither says, "That Knowledge, and that Treasure seeks to find, Which may enrich thy Heart with perfect Joy." We are to understand that learning and knowledge are the most important things to occupy our time in the short life. The Utopian held the wise and learned man in the highest esteem, elevating him to positions of leadership and excusing him from the normal work duties of society. These leaders are tasked with upholding the laws and maintaining a balanced society. Utopians are skilled in "music, dialectic, arithmetic, geometry...logistics," and devour up the Greek classic which Hythlodaeus brings to the island. The nation of Utopia, on the other hand, is quite different. It is a very closed society. It deals in the baser occupations of commerce and even buys slaves from neighboring nations. The n ation holds itself in such high regard that there are no lessons to be learned from it's neighbors. Contrasting the wise man in the emblem is the skeleton hoarding treasures. Among these items are gold, a crown and a coat of arms representing, respectively, wealth, power and honor. These items are in the possession of death, apparently reverting to him after the foolish ones have died. As a socialist society, everything is provided for and by Utopians.

American vs Nepalese Culture

The American and Nepalese culture have some similarities but many differences. The American culture is a Western and a diverse culture; whereas, the Nepalese culture is Eastern and less diverse. There is a public education system for everyone in the American culture, and the literacy rate is high. In Nepal, there is a public education system also but the literacy rate is low. There is more freedom for people in American culture; on the other hand, in Nepalese culture, there is less freedom and more rules. One of the other differences that can be seen between American and Nepalese culture is in family relations.The behavior of the people is very different between this tow cultures. Many different racial groups form the American culture. The major ethnic groups in the United States are Europeans, Hispanics, African/Americans, Asians and Pacific Islanders, and many other minor ethnic groups. The distinct groups in the United States have different religions. The major religions in the Un ited States are Catholicism, Protestantism and Judaism. Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism are also minor religions in the United States.English is the main language in the United States but also Spanish and other languages are spoken in different cities. In the Southern part of Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California, the majority of people are Spanish speaking. In Nepalese culture, there is little ethnic diversity and the ethnics groups are not from other countries. The major groups are the Sherpa, the largest group, who lives in the northern, mountainous part of the country; the Gurung, who live in the central part of Nepal, and the Adabasi, who live in the southern part of the country.These people are born in Nepal and are not from other countries like the American ethnic groups. There are a few Muslims and Christians, but the major religions are Hinduism and Buddhism. Nepali is the major language in Nepal. In government offices, private offices and in school, they use the Nepali l anguage; whereas, in cities and towns, the different ethnic groups speak their own dialects. The Nepalese school system is based on tradition and religion in the rural areas and in the urban areas, there is a modern education system.Parents can choose any public school, they like for their children; there is no restriction on children having gone to school in the town or village where they live. In America, students have to go to the school in the town in which they live. In the American culture, people are individual oriented and individual value is greater than family value. People believe in their work, and they do the hard work. The American people plan things ahead, and they become successes in their future. The American people are independence, and they make their own decisions.Americans follow the time and its value. In Nepalese culture, people are family-oriented and the family value is greater than the individual value. The Nepalese people believe in god, and they wait for the people who can do their work. The Nepalese people do not plan any things and do their work, and they become unsuccessful in their future. In Nepalese culture, people depend on other, and they cannot make their own decision. The elder's person in the makes the decision, and other family's member follow that decision. In Nepalese culture, people cannot follow the time, and they are lazy.The American people follow a law and order. They behave friendly to each other, even if they are unknown. The American are polite and helpful. The American people wait for the turn and follow the advice, given by other. The Nepalese people do not follow the law and order. The rich people dominate the miserable people and there is a slavery system in Nepal. The poor people live in the house of rich, and do their work for nothing. Nepalese do not behave friendly to each other. Nepalese people do not wait for the turn instead and crowed in the same place fighting each other.

Analysis Of William Golding s Lord Of The Flies - 1006 Words

Hofert 1 Jordan Hofert Ms. Frangipane Study of Genre English 9 Block F 25 February 2016 The Power of Power A recurring theme among leaders in many societies today is that â€Å"absolute power corrupts absolutely† (John Acton, a 1700’s English Catholic historian, politician, and writer). In William Golding’s Lord of the Flies, this idea of leadership, power, and corruption is put in the spotlight. Jack, one of the boys on the island, forces his way into the leadership position without actually earning it. It is clear that Jack has become corrupt as he turns into a person who is intimidating, egotistical, and selfish. Ralph, on the other hand, is a quality leader under most conditions as he appeals to the boys’ sophisticated side and has a†¦show more content†¦Meanwhile, Ralph values the group over himself, and wants everyone to have a say in any decisions made. Jack gets fed up with his lack of power, so he decides to try to become the leader. He asks if anyone wants to come with him, and says, â€Å"Hands up?’ said Jack strongly..... ‘H ow many think –’ His voice trailed off. The hands that held the conch shook. He cleared his throat, and spoke loudly. ‘All right then.’ †¦. The humiliating tears were running from the corner of each eye. ‘I’m not going to play any longer. Not with you’†(127). Jack acts like a little kid in this scene. This hunger for power demonstrated by Jack has made him corrupt, so much that he will not tolerate being with the others if he can’t be the leader. Jack tries to portray an image of manliness, but it is evident that it is not true when he starts crying. Qualities like this are why Jack is incapable of being the leader. Overall, Ralph is able to handle the power that he is given in a more mature way than Jack. Successful leaders will know where their strengths are best suited, whether it is leading smaller tasks or taking on larger responsibilities. As the leader of the choir, Jack had limited power, which satisfied everyone. Ralph pointed out that Jack was, â€Å"‘in charge of the choir.† So, â€Å"They can be what [he] want[s] them to be?† Jack chose, â€Å"Hunters†(23). He has control over a few of the boys, which gives him what he wants, power, but not too much. At the time everyone respected this idea of aShow MoreRelatedAnalysis Of William Golding s Lord Of The Flies 1814 Words   |  8 Pagespresented, Lord of the Flies written by William Golding, this change in people particularly through aggressive and violent behavior is ever-present throughout the text. The causes of aggression and or violent behavior in this case are a subject that is widely debated with different theories of causation supporting each side. Two of these sides presented can be seen in the articles †A Bully’s Future, From Hard Life to Hard Time† written by Jane Brody, and â€Å"To Study Aggression, a Fight Club for Flies† writtenRead MoreAnalysis Of William Golding s Lord Of The Flies 980 Words   |  4 PagesDeven Patel English 1, Period 4 22 September 2014 Society s defects stem from the defects inherent in human nature. William Golding wrote this after publishing Lord of the Flies. It is our world, in the form of a story. The two leaders in the story are Ralph and Jack. Ralph starts off a comfortable leader of the boys, but by the end of the book, Ralph and his companion Piggy are alone facing Jack and the rest of the boys. As the novel progresses and the society on the island starts to changeRead MoreAnalysis Of William Golding s Lord Of The Flies Essay2545 Words   |  11 Pages Honors English 9A-Period 5 November 18, 2016 The Corruption of Power Abraham Lincoln said, â€Å"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man s character, give him power.† Power can destroy traces of civilization or bring forth civilization; it can be both a good or bad thing. In William Golding’s The Lord of the Flies, the entire island is power hungry and it is fueled by it. Leaving the boys alone on an island, without any grownups, left all the power and control in the boys’Read MoreWilliam Golding s Lord Of The Flies1389 Words   |  6 PagesA response to Lord Of The Flies Imagine an airplane crash. The heat of flames scorch passengers’ backs in addition to the wind burning their faces. Lucky, this crash was over water and near an island so most passengers survive, with an exception of the airplane staff and the pilot. Even though alive, many are in fits of fear and panic, and others are in shock. After hurried deliberation, a lone member of the group is elected leader in hopes that they will calm the panic, and make the hard, but necessaryRead MoreSocietal Breakdown On The Island1720 Words   |  7 PagesSocietal breakdown on the island in ‘Lord of the Flies’ is due to the inherent evil of man 3.8: Develop an informed understanding of literature and/or language using critical texts. Hypothesis: Societal breakdown on the island is due to the inherent evil of man Jason Carvalho ‘Lord of the Flies’ is the name of William Golding’s historically famous novel, yet it is more than just a title. It is a kind of statement, a way of mocking the very existences of humanity. Reading this book I cameRead MoreLord of The Flies Essay1673 Words   |  7 PagesLord of the Flies was published in 1954 by William Golding. Today Lord of the Flies is a well known literary criticism. Many schools require their students to read Lord of the Flies because of the literary criticisms in the book. In this paper three themes or literary criticisms are talked about: good vs. evil, symbolism of characters, and maturity of characters. Another topic in Goldings Lord of the Flies is the battle of good vs. evil. Everything seems to start out just fine on the island; theRead MoreLord Of The Flies By William Golding1152 Words   |  5 PagesJonathan Vautour Mrs. Fils World Literature 3 November 2015 Simon: Lord of the Flies The book â€Å"Lord of the flies† is story of a group of boys who were marooned on an island and forced to survive and the effect on their moral stability. In the beginning the reader is introduced to the character Simon. He was a skinny vivid little boy whose hair, black as night and coarse, hung down straight over his face (Oldsey and Weintraub 182-183). Golding’s writing style and background can be seen by how he decidedRead MoreWilliam Golding And Lord Of The Flies Analysis1031 Words   |  5 PagesWilliam Golding fulfills Hobbes’ ideas about man with Lord of the Flies in the moments when Jack and Ralph argue over whether to hunt for meat or build shelters, when Simon is killed by the boys, and when Samneric betray Ralph and join Jack’s tribe. An early example in the novel where Golding supports Hobbes’ ideas about man is when Jack and Ralph argue over whether to hunt for meat or build shelters. Hobbes discusses the competition between men with the same desires as he writes, â€Å"And thereforeRead MoreAnalysis Of The Lord Of The Flies 889 Words   |  4 PagesRandall English-4 15 April 2016 LOTF Literary Analysis Stranded on an island, a group of boys have the choice to be civil or savage. In Lord of the Flies, by William Golding, British schoolboys are marooned on an island. They voted Ralph to be the leader in an effort to remake the culture that they had left behind, accompanied by the intelligent Piggy as counselor. But Jack wants to be the leader too, and he individually lures all of the boys away from civility to the brutal survivalism of huntersRead MoreLord Of The Flies By William Golding821 Words   |  4 Pageseven to show leadership? Well if you haven’t, then for sure you will be amazed! In the novel Lord of the Flies, the author William Golding specifically focuses on how a group of children ends up on an unknown island without rules and order in which they become savages and nearly act similarly to animals in one way or another. One symbol in this novel is the conch shell. The conch shell in Lord of the Flies represents leadership and civilization, in which allows Ralph , the leader of the group, to call