First, let me unequivocally state that my own beliefs on this issue lie firmly with those who believe that
a) we should have never engaged in torture tactics
b) they don't work
c) those who authorized them need to be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
d) those that actually engaged in performing them should not be allowed to continue in any position where prisoner interaction would be required.
I was also one of those who found themselves extremely disappointed with Obama's recent public positions on the issues.
Then earlier this week I noticed a CNN online poll that asked the question about whether the torture photos should be allowed to be released and was shocked at the 80% no response.
So today I spent some time at pollingreport.com
Unfortunately, it seems a large percentage of Americans don't agree with me or many of us here..
There's been several polls conducted since the beginning of the year but the results are almost universally the same, a majority of Americans polled SUPPORT USING TORTURE TECHNIQUES and DO NOT WANT INVESTIGATIONS.
I was frankly stunned to see this, but I'm sure that the Democratic braintrust who are in the business of trying to win elections are well aware of these polls, and have probably conducted some of their own.
Ipsos/McClatchy
And thinking about the interrogation techniques used during the war on terror found to be torture, do you think that people who authorized these interrogation techniques should be prosecuted, or not?"
SHOULD NOT 48%
SHOULD 43%
CNN/Opinion Research
"As you may know, the Bush administration authorized the use of harsh interrogation procedures, including the procedure known as waterboarding, when the U.S. captured suspected terrorists. Based on what you have read or heard, do you approve or disapprove of the Bush administration's decision to use those procedures while questioning suspected terrorists?"
APPROVE 50%
Disapprove 46%
More distressing is the follow up question, which reveals that a large percentage of the responders ACKNOWLEDGED these "techniques" were TORTURE, but still supported them.
"Do you think that Congress should or should not conduct an investigation of the Bush administration officials who authorized the use of those procedures?"
SHOULD NOT 57%
SHOULD 42%
CBS/New York Times
Do you want Congress to hold hearings to investigate whether the Bush Administration's treatment of detainees, the use of wiretaps and other Justice Department practices broke the law, or don't you think that is necessary?"
Want Hearings 34%
NOT NECESSARY 62%
Gallup
Based on what you know or have read, do you think the use of harsh interrogation techniques for terrorism suspects was justified or not justified?"
JUSTIFIED 55%
Not Justified 36%
ABC News/Washington Post
Obama has said that under his administration the United States will not use torture as part of the U.S. campaign against terrorism, no matter what the circumstance. Do you support this position not to use torture, or do you think there are cases in which the United States should consider torture against terrorism suspects?"
4/21-4/2409 - Never use Torture 49% Use Torture in some cases 48%
1/13/09-1/16/09 Never use 58% Use 40%
While this particular question is at odds with a lot of the other results, there is an alarming move towards "use torture in some cases" over the last 3 months in this poll.. Obvious evidence that the media full court press to emphasize "ticking bomb" scenarios is having an impact.
This was pretty depressing. Obviously the country has LONG way to go to live up to its supposed status as a "human rights leader" if majorities of it's population hold the beliefs made evident in these polls. I know many of you will say "polls be damned" we have to do the "right" thing. However, I do think some weight must be given to whether doing the right thing now might end up with helping to put the torturers back in power later.
Like an earlier recommended diary snarkily pointed out, there are many political considerations to pursuing a politically unpopular strategy at a time of so many needs for the country. I don't know what the "strategists" are thinking, but it seems pretty clear that if they choose to engage in investigations, it would not be a policy that has the strong backing of the populace, unlike the push for Healthcare, fixing the economy, or many of the other pressing items on the agenda that have the public's strong support.
Being a "progressive" can be tough sometimes, but it's not much tougher than when it's obvious that the majority of the country you live in thinks torture is A-OK.