A man walks down a dark corridor, opens a rusty door to a man shackled in a chair, and proceeds to pull out a handful of sharp tools already soaked in blood. This may be the imagery that many people have come to associate with torture, as it is the imagery presented in such popular films such as Hostel and Saw. Consequently it might also be the scenery pictured in the minds of people who watch the 9-o’clock news and gasp in shock over the controversies at Guantanamo Bay. But how violent have the dealings at Guantanamo Bay? And, what if any, are the benefits to such a “heinous” action?

To understand the concept of torture or at least one whose existence can be argued as reasonable and just, we must first understand that there is a difference between what is necessary and what is excessive. The idea of this ideal torture for which some may argue, is based upon limits. These limits are defined on the basis that what is necessary is just, and excess is unwarranted. Because society as a whole is inevitably affected by the truth that any and all forms of torture are proven immoral by tradition or higher law, torture is automatically accepted and decreed as excessive. A very important question arises, if torture was used in necessity for a good that outweighed the suffering of an individual, is it evil and barbaric?

Modern warfare relies on many factors such as, communication, technology, morale, and leadership. But also among these is information and knowledge. This information comes from a variety of sources from within our own military. But a wealth of knowledge, the same knowledge that wins wars and saves the lives of our military and those that it protects, is gained from the opposing force. Captured and detained soldiers are perhaps one of the most helpful sources of direct information. But there is no simple way of extracting their information. Persuasion is costly and timely, but force is effective and most importantly efficient.

Now here is the line where most people turn away in disgust citing the reasons that all torture is barbaric and uncompassionate. But from this disgust comes a previously discussed topic; war is barbaric, but war is inevitable. War is not civilized, nor is it “somewhat barbaric”. Whether there are lines of med bathed men fighting with wooden clubs, or a man behind a desk dressed in a suit pressing a tiny button. War has the same purpose, to impose will with force.

The barbaric nature of war leaves no advantage to compassion. This does not mean that there is no room for compassion; it means that compassion has little effect over defeat of an enemy, especially when one faces an enemy who offers no compassion……