What the pro-torture crowd is really supporting

When discussing torture its important to discuss who it is we're actually torturing. As it stands, those who are lined up for torture are the ones who don't have a right to trial, with some small sub-set being selected for military tribunals (which offer less defendant rights than our standard courts) at the pentagon's sole discression. However, both classes can be tortured at any time. In other words, you can be tortured without ever seeing even a tribunal.

The standard defenses for this are along the lines of, "this is better than they would treat us," or "these terrorists don't deserve better," or "terrorists must be dealt with," etc.

The problem is this. Because we are not fighting an enemy nation with uniforms, how do you know you have a terrorist and not a goat farmer who was named by someone a) being tortured and giving up a name, any name to ease the pain, or b) someone with another agenda (like wanting his land)? Keep in mind, there is no link, anywhere between torture an guilt. Not in any document, bill, or memo I've found. Furthermore, even those selected to undergo trial do not get the standard defense, they have lesser rights and a harder fight. Normally, when a punishment is unusual the trial is biased for the defendant, think death peanalty. Even with all the hurdles in place to insure that those on death row are guilty, many were freed years, or decades, later with DNA evidence or when the real killer came forth. Now, we're told to accept that a watered down defense, or even no defense, will have a lesser innocent conviction rate than our standard trial system? Just to trust some random guy that a detainee is a terrorist? Has this ever worked out?

So when you find yourself supporting torture, remember the administration has never, ever said anything about only the guilty getting the business. When you support this administration and Congress and their torture bill, you have to accept that you are supporting the torture innocent people.

It's not about "getting the bad guys." Never has been. Otherwise there would be a push to make sure those we have are guilty. This is about fear and vengance. When you're a coward and your afraid you'll hurt anyone to feel safe. When you're feeling vengeful, you'll hurt anyone to satiate your desire. American is about justice.

How far from justice will we stray, and how long will it take us to come back?