Secret CIA Prisons - necessary or not to fight terrorism? - Debate

[Independent]

The news media announced this morning an investigation into reports that the US has secret CIA prisons in Eastern European nations. These were set up to interrogate terror suspects.

It was reported that Congress is launching its own investigation due to the fact that the prisons were secret even to them. There is concern by BOTH the republicans and democrats that funds to create these prisons have been misappropriated. That the ok'd funds for one project and those funds were secretly passed on to the creation of the secret prisons.

The EU and the Red Cross are also investigating whether human rights violations have occurred having secret prisons outside the US?

One question a member of congress asked "if it were legal, why not have the prisons in the US?"

What do you all think? Is this a necessary evil in order to combat the threat of terrorism or are we no better than the terrorists we claim to be fighting?

I welcome polite discussion for both POV's.

 

[AllyandJack]

To me, it depends. If the person arrested was arrested with bomb-making materials in their home and maps of the NYC subway and they have some sort of proof it's not just some loon and that person is affiliated with terrorism in some way, then I think it's OK to torture them for information. However, if it is just some random person they "think" might know something, I don't think it's appropriate.

 

[WDWAurora]

Well, this is just a thought on why they are "allegedly" in these other countries. Can you imagine the difference in transportation costs to transfer prisoners from "wherever" to here vs. to Eastern Europe? Geographically and monetarily I can make sense out of that. I'm not even going to speculate on torture, misappropriation of funds, or anything else. I'm not "up" on things enough to guess.

 

[dcentity2000]

Oooh, very cloak and dagger!



Rich::

 

[Independent]

Oooh, very cloak and dagger!

Rich::

Perhaps the CIA is just submitting a script proposal for a new 007 movie?

 

[cardaway]

This is news?

These agencies all pretty much run the same. The difference is that those from other countries have to put less of a cloak over their dagger.

 

[Independent]

from the Washington Post:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/01/AR2005110101644.html?g=1

from Fox News:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,174421,00.html

 

[Tigger_Magic]

*YAWN* Another day, another CIA leak designed to undermine the current administration's war on terror. Politics as usual in Washington. The only thing that surprises me is the lack of media outrage over the leak. Doesn't this jeopardize ongoing CIA operations and operatives just like the Valerie Plame leak?

 

[Donny Baker]

the more 'black ops', the better. these things are hidden from our now politically correct nation for a reason. you don't want to know what goes on there. but a certain segment would protest that those terrorists don't deserve to be held in those prisons and questioned. the same terrorists that would kill anyone in that segment of the USA if they had the chance.

I don't agree with the war in Iraq. let's do what's right and invade Saudi Arabia.

 

[Puffy2]

I'd have to have more info about it to form an opinion, but considering the breeches of proper conduct in which this nation has participated in very recent years (ie., the prison scandles related to the "war on terrorism") , I cringe at the word "secret".

Either the US is a model of civilized behavior or it isn't. We can not have it both ways. Which is it?

 

[Tigger_Magic]

Either the US is a model of civilized behavior or it isn't. We can not have it both ways. Which is it?

If only this world were so easily colored in either black or white... but it's not that simple and most reasonable people recognize that fact.

 

[marybet]

*YAWN* Another day, another CIA leak designed to undermine the current administration's war on terror. Politics as usual in Washington. The only thing that surprises me is the lack of media outrage over the leak. Doesn't this jeopardize ongoing CIA operations and operatives just like the Valerie Plame leak?

I didn't see the names of agents and their families listed, so don't think it's the same as the Plame leak. I also think the question was about torture. I wouldn't want to torture someone and I think most studies indicate that it is not all that useful. Isn't it illegal for our government to torture prisoners?

How would we feel if Cheney were captured and tortured? I realize that other coutries have tortured our soldiers but that doesn't make it right for us to do it.

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

If only this world were so easily colored in either black or white... but it's not that simple and most reasonable people recognize that fact.

Most of the hubbub seems to coming from Sen. John McCain (R), who may or may not be trying to make political hay before his run at 2008!! The Bush Administration will obviously deny, deny, deny any wrong doing and life as usual will go on.

Kinda reminds me of a few famous quotes from one of my favorite movies:

M. Corleone: "My father is no different than any other powerful man -- any man who's responsible for other people, like a senator or president."
KAY: "You know how naive you sound...senators and presidents don't have men killed."
MC: "Oh, who's being naive, Kay?"