Don't Let Torture Become the Norm
    By Phillip Butler
    t r u t h o u t | Guest Contributor

    Tuesday 30 January 2007

    Many peace and justice organizations have been promoting and demonstrating lately for awareness of torture and related issues. I'm amazed and profoundly disappointed that this has apparently become necessary in our country.

    I spent eight years as a prisoner of war in Vietnam, from 1965 to 1973. During that time, I and more than 90 percent of my fellow POWs were repeatedly tortured for the extortion of information to be used for political propaganda and sometimes just for retribution. We were not recognized by Vietnam as POWs, but as criminals, because the Vietnamese had not signed the 1949 "Geneva Convention relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War."

    Later, in 1975, the United Nations created the "Convention Against Torture." Both conventions were ratified by Congress and became laws of our land. Unfortunately, Vietnam - along with numerous other countries who are still partially stuck in the 15th century - had institutionalized torture to punish and extract information from prisoners.

    We received great moral and psychological strength during our incarceration from telling each other, "Our country is civilized and would never knowingly treat people like this."

    We felt we had the moral high ground and took great pride in being American, above such barbarity. Besides, we all knew from experience that torture is useless, because under torture we told our tormentors whatever we thought they wanted to hear. Whenever possible we slipped in ridiculous statements like one I used in a torture-extracted "confession," that "only officers are allowed to use the swimming pool on the USS Midway." Another friend wrote in a "confession" that "my commanding officer, Dick Tracy, ordered me to bomb schools and hospitals." These are just two examples of the kind of culturally embedded nonsense people can expect to extract through torture.

    We are hearing arguments that support coercion in various forms. One is that "unusual body positions" aren't really torture. Well, if you don't think so, try going out on your driveway or sidewalk, without clothes on, one of these cold nights. Kneel down on the concrete, holding your body erect with your arms extended above your head. In a very few minutes you will begin to feel real pain. Imagine several big tormentors ensuring with whips that you stay in that position. That's torture.

    Another argument tries to qualify captives as POWs, or "detainees." Please, they are human beings. We are holding people in indeterminate isolation from families, Red Cross visits and other Geneva/UN requirements. From experience I say this constitutes torture of the heart and soul.

    Another nonsensical argument goes, "What if we have someone who has planted an atomic weapon in a major city and we want to find out where in time to stop it?" Do we enact a special law that violates our Constitution, treaties and statutes for this preposterous eventuality? Do we seriously think we could extract "where and when" from this individual anyway?

    So now my question is: Will we allow President Bush and his chicken-hawk advisers to succeed in institutionalizing torture in our proud nation? Will we allow him to continue ignoring our Constitution, treaties and other statutes prohibiting such cruel and unusual punishments?

    My fellow Americans, we cannot afford to regress to the 15th century by acting like Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Pakistan, Iran, Syria and other nations that have institutionalized torture. Even on a practical level, we must not thereby endanger our own citizens, in uniform or out, who might be kidnapped or captured by others in the future.

    As a patriot who fought and sacrificed for our country, I ask all Americans to stand up for what is civil, humane and right. Sadly, at this late date, we must be more aware of torture and the misguided policies of this administration. We cannot allow our government to institutionalize torture. Let's keep the promise for ourselves and all humanity, the promise that is our United States of America.

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    Phillip Butler of Monterey, California, is a graduate of the US Naval Academy and a former Navy light-attack carrier pilot. In 1965 he was shot down over North Vietnam and later was awarded two Silver Stars, two Legion of Merits, two Bronze Stars and two Purple Heart medals. After his repatriation in 1973 he earned a doctorate in sociology from UC San Diego and became a Navy organizational effectiveness consultant. He completed his Navy career in 1981 as a professor of management at the Naval Postgraduate School, retiring as a Navy Commander. He then owned and operated a management consulting and motivational speaking company for 20 years, from which he is now retired.

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