With more and more accusations of prisoner mistreatment, torture and various groups demanding investigations amoung military prisons, it has caused me to wonder, is torture ever right?

In reality, the very sound of the word makes my blood run cold, but, is there ever a time when it is justifiable?

Take for example, the terrorist prisoners being held at various assundry prisons. These are not regular POW's, these are not soldiers who have identified themselves as the enemy by wearing a uniform and following the orders of a higher authority, they have no codes of conduct and no scruples. They have no problem using civilians, women and children as disguises. They do not seek out the enemy only, the will murder as many people as it takes for them to consider a job finished.

Just as spies and espionage agents are not treated under the rules of the Genova Convention, should these men be? They have, with their actions, indicated have a disregard for the rules of warfare and will not hesitate for any reason. In short, is their anu justifiable reason for them to be treated as soldiers when they are the farthest thing from them?


Do two wrongs make a right?