Reply #5: i disagree [View All]

[dfong63]

we should not have every commander making up his own rules about what's permissible during interrogation. the behavior that Hackworth is defending, was a violation of rules that were undoubtedly written with the utmost care and forethought. don't forget the big picture. it's not all about getting "results". you also have to consider the longer term consequences of breaking the rules. those consequences include: the fact that if our side does something, the other side will be justified in doing it also. not just in this war, but in every war.
the fact that if commanders are allowed to break one rule with impunity, they'll be encouraged to break others. the fact that illegal interrogation techniques will harm the army's public image among the populace of Iraq.