Alice: I started this thread to prove a point. No one wishes more than me that the soldier, either captured as, Bobert puts it, or kidnapped as the press has reported it, gets back safely and, hopefully, without having endured torture of any kind. I certainly pray he returns with his head securely attached to his body.

Arguments that enhanced interrogation is ineffective were countered recently by former VP Dick Cheney. As I am sure you all know, he stated recently that memorandums exist that prove that valuable information was gained from terrorists who experienced enhanced interrogation AND lives were saved as a result. I suppose we will never know if the former VP was speaking truthfully because our current President/Commander in Chief refuses to release said memos. Am I the only one who wonders why Obama refuses to do so? He has the power to release them, but doesn't. Could it be that the memos, in fact, support the former VP's statement? If they do not, Cheney was certainly taking quite a gamble. I believe Obama does not release the memos because he KNOWS they support Cheney's statement.

Critics of enhanced interrogation complain that if the US uses those techniques, our military personnel, if captured, would be treated to the same type interrogation.

I believe the terrorists don't give a damn what we do to their fellow terrorists if captured. If they did, why would they send them off with bombs strapped to their bodies? Have you heard of one instance when our military or even members of the press, if captured by terrorists, were NOT tortured?

I'm sorry if you, Alice, and many others feel this is an inappropriate posting. If Joe agrees with you, he certainly can eliminate it. I think it is timely, and that the subject matter is arguable.

DougR