Subscribe now

CIA got it wrong

The Spokesman-Review

Torture is wrong. The CIA took credit for their torture techniques in getting information about who masterminded the 9/11 attacks. In reality it was the FBI, using rapport-building techniques, that got the information. Nothing further was revealed when the CIA took over the interrogation with their “enhanced techniques.”

Torture is ineffectual, but vastly more importantly, it is wrong. There is no instance when it is OK to torture. There is no person who it is OK to torture. Whether you are Christian, Buddhist, Muslim, Jewish or, like myself, Unitarian Universalist, basic rights of common decency apply. These religions all teach that we should treat others as we wish to be treated.

I am troubled by individuals writing letters condoning torture. Why do they think it is OK? I don’t think any of us would want somebody to torture us or our relatives who are in the military.

Support of torture by individual citizens is bad enough. It is even more egregious when torture is perpetrated in a methodical, institutionalized manner by a government that is supposed to represent the free world, espousing high standards of morality and justice. Torture should stop. Our country is NOT above the law of humanity.

Linda Greene

Spokane

Letters policy

The Spokesman-Review invites original letters on local topics of public interest. Your letter must adhere to the following rules:

  • No more than 250 words
  • We reserve the right to reject letters that are not factually correct, racist or are written with malice.
  • We cannot accept more than one letter a month from the same writer.
  • With each letter, include your daytime phone number and street address.
  • The Spokesman-Review retains the nonexclusive right to archive and re-publish any material submitted for publication.

Unfortunately, we don’t have space to publish all letters received, nor are we able to acknowledge their receipt. (Learn more.)

Submit letters using any of the following:

Our online form
Submit your letter here
Mail
Letters to the Editor
The Spokesman-Review
999 W. Riverside Ave.
Spokane, WA 99201
Email
editor@spokesman.com
Fax
(509) 459-3815
Phone
(509) 459-5430

Read more about how we crafted our Letters to the Editor policy