WDTV [WV] : Obama's 'Torture' Comments Reopen 9/11 Debate

Obama's 'Torture' Comments Reopen 9/11 Debate

from WDTV, serving north central West Virginia

Lauren McMillen | August 2, 2014

"In the immediate aftermath of 9/11, we did some things that were wrong. We did a whole lot of things that were right, but we tortured some folks"

That's what President Obama had to say after recognizing that the U.S. may have went to far in torturing al-Queda detainees.

Since in office, Obama has taken a stand against the enhanced interrogation tactics that were put into place by the Bush administration after the 9/11 attacks. But some of you believe that the harsh conditions were the only solution.

"They shouldn't have bothered us to begin with then we wouldn't have been there to torture them. You're not going to resolve anything over there. It's been going on for the beginning of time," said Jim Feeda, visiting from Pennsylvania.

"They torture us, so we have to do what we can to get the information we need to get the job done," said Cliff Fox, Harrison County resident.

This all comes on the brink on a new Senate report that is expected to be released in the coming weeks. The nearly 7,000 page report will describe in detail the CIA's treatment of terrorist suspects.

Officials expect the document will reveal that actions, like water boarding, did not help us get any further.

"We did some things that were contrary to our values," said President Obama.

Others agree that these acts violated the principles of our country and what we stand for.

"I think torturing people is something we not ought to do. I think there are other techniques we can use to get the same information. I don't know if anyone has ever shown that using torture gets more and better information," said Joe Burrman, visiting from Maryland.

Obama's comments are likely to draw heavy criticism from some Republicans and former members of the Bush administration.