After the September 11, 2001 terror attacks the George W. Bush administration authorized the use of “enhanced interrogation techniques” at secret detention facilities around the world run by the defense department and CIA. The authorization approved the use of many techniques including beatings, binding in stress positions, hooding, sleep deprivation and waterboarding. In 2008 President Obama signed an executive order banning the use torture by the U.S. military and CIA. In 2016 the use of torture became a topic during the Presidential race when candidate Donald Trump suggested…
Read more59% Yes |
41% No |
46% Yes |
32% No |
6% Yes, but only as a last resort |
4% No, torture is inhumane, unethical, and violates the 8th amendment |
3% Yes, but only if they are convicted terrorists |
3% No, and we should strictly follow the laws of the Geneva Convention |
2% Yes, allow the use of psychological but not physical tactics |
2% No, torture is an ineffective form of interrogation |
2% Yes, we must use any means necessary to prevent terrorism |
See how support for each position on “Torture” has changed over time for 2.5m America voters.
Loading data...
Loading chart...
See how importance of “Torture” has changed over time for 2.5m America voters.
Loading data...
Loading chart...
Unique answers from America users whose views extended beyond the provided choices.
@8GN4YCZ4yrs4Y
No, while not only is it ineffective, psychology indicates that a person can and will (falsely) incriminate themselves to stop the torture
@4P82YYH3yrs3Y
Enhanced interrogation should be allowed as well as psychological interrogation. These terrorists perform extreme atrocities on anyone, including innocent civilians. Our enhanced interrogation is child's play compared to what they do. This question should really be answered by someone under the threat of terrorism, or who has family of friends in captivity or otherwise affected by a terrorist act. You can pretty much guess what the answer will be 99.9% of the time.
@4PCJZXR3yrs3Y
We are the only country in the world that worries about being politically correct. If you go to any other country illegally and get caught, you will see horrible conditions, and not get any fair treatment. If you are believed to be a terrorist or spy in another country water boarding would be at the bottom of their lists. Other countries do much more horrible things like electrocution tactics, etc.. Yes torture is cruel, but how cruel is the planning of mass murder in the name of a religion. When you deal with animals that think a man, woman or child don't have the right to live because they don't believe in their ideology, well in my opinion the gloves need to come off.
@4PGH6973yrs3Y
No. There should be a "bright line" between allowed interrogations techniques and anything that amounts to a war crime or crime against humanity. However, there may be discrete circumstances where there is a critical need to obtain life-saving intelligence, in which instance it is the theater commander and his/her staff's call if there is a need for crueler interrogation practices. If such actions are subsequently authorized, then the burden of accountability must fall on those who authorized such "extra-judicial" actions. If the solution saves lives and/or ends a threat, the issue of accountability may be rendered moot; if it fails OR it is learned subsequently that the threat, and thereby the enhanced interrogation measure was overstated, those involved must stand to answer for their crime.
@4PB2KT63yrs3Y
I think we should stop telling the world what we would do. Terrorists need to be afraid.
@4P4XN9N3yrs3Y
no, this violates the 8th amendment
Stay up-to-date on the most recent “Torture” news articles, updated frequently.
@ISIDEWITH2mos2MO
A team of United Nations experts reported on Monday that there were "reasonable grounds to believe" sexual violence, including rape and gang rape, occurred at several locations during the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Hamas militants.The team - led by U.N. special envoy for sexual violence in conflict Pramila Patten - visited Israel between Jan. 29 and Feb. 14 on a mission intended to gather, analyze and verify information on sexual violence linked to the Oct. 7 attacks."Credible circumstantial information, which may be indicative of some forms of sexual violence, including genital mutilation, sexualized torture, or cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment, was also gathered," read the 24-page U.N. report.Palestinian militant group Hamas has repeatedly rejected accusations of sexual violence.Hamas fighters attacked Israel on Oct. 7, killing around 1,200 people and seizing 253 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. Israel's retaliation against Hamas in the Gaza Strip has since killed around 30,000 Palestinians, health authorities in the Hamas-run enclave say."The mission team found clear and convincing information that some hostages taken to Gaza have been subjected to various forms of conflict-related sexual violence and has reasonable grounds to believe that such violence may be ongoing," the U.N. report said.The team said a "fully-fledged investigation" would be required to establish the overall magnitude, scope and specific attribution for the sexual violence.
@ConstitutionAndy4mos4MO
During a recent interview, Ron DeSantis tried to brush aside questions about his role in the alleged force-feeding of prisoners held at Guantanamo Bay.The questioner, “Alan from Atlanta,” asked about claims DeSantis has repeatedly disputed: that he advised on and witnessed the force-feeding…
Explore other topics that are important to America voters.
@ISIDEWITH6mos6MO
Proponents argue that this strategy would bolster national security by minimizing the risk of potential terrorists entering the country. Enhanced screening processes, once implemented, would provide a more thorough assessment of applicants, reducing the likelihood of malicious actors gaining entry.…
@ISIDEWITH2yrs2Y
@ISIDEWITH10yrs10Y