Reply #25: It doesn't violate international law

[HamdenRice]

if the torturer is prosecuted. It vindicates and upholds the law.

Do the ends always justify the means? No. Does that mean the ends never justify the means? Of course not.

Having witnessed the carnage of 9/11, I can say in the abstract that if I had to balance torturing one conspirator against the horrible deaths of 9/11 -- obliteration, burning, smoke inhalation, jumping from the 90th floor, crushing under debris -- I'd say the torture is justified in that case.