Mere hours after some House Republicans reported progress on a proposal to avoid a government shutdown at the end of the month, Donald Trump demanded they use the opportunity to "defund" Special Counsel Jack Smith and his team.
Yes, I'm speaking in the sub-context of explaining what kinds of cruelty already exists. This context stems from the "tap the sign" reference which was used to speak against cruelty towards horrible people who ostensibly actually deserve it.
If you're against cruelty to people who ostensibly deserve it, cruelty to those who don't should be a much higher priority. Yes, it is in effect a what-about-ism, but perspective is critical to having solid moral axioms.
There's a difference in having perspective and bringing up last week's book at book club.
I am against cruelty. Full stop. I am against torture. I don't have to list every type of torture to say I'm against this one. You're right, though, it's whataboutism. You're not adding perspective that cops are bastards on this tiny little federated open source website. Everyone here already knows that. We're all some sort of non-mainstream political identity. Look, that guy over there is a anarcho-syndaclyst furry. All you're doing is muddying the waters over a very simple statement that torture is bad.
Regarding anyone "deserving torture"
Frodo: 'It's a pity Bilbo didn't kill Gollum when he had the chance.'
Gandalf: 'Pity? It's a pity that stayed Bilbo's hand. Many that live deserve death. Some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them, Frodo? Do not be too eager to deal out death in judgment. Even the very wise cannot see all ends. My heart tells me that Gollum has some part to play in it, for good or evil, before this is over. The pity of Bilbo may rule the fate of many
So you think torture is fun? Because it's not useful for gaining information. The only reason to do it is to make yourself feel better. Are you that sort of person? Gotta get your enemies into a position they can't defend themselves then you'll take your time causing pain? Your real world isn't worth preservation of you won't work towards a better one.
Saying "lock him away for ever, even kill him, but don't torture" isn't falling for the paradox of tolerance. It's saying that if we're willing to be just as evil then what's the point of fighting them? There has to be something that makes us different. And for me it's saying yes, stop crime, even kill if we have to. But torture doesn't reduce crime. Torture doesn't gain trustworthy intelligence information. There is no point in torture other than to take delight in pain. Anyone who thinks otherwise is wrong and anyone who agrees and desires to torture anyway is a monster.
I'm sorry that whatever you've seen of the world, you weren't strong enough to keep your humanity and kindness through it, and now would rather perpetuate pain than end it.