Is tasering torture?

Undertoad · 10-27-2007, 08:26 AM

When I think about this question... it centers the debate exactly where I like it to be centered.

Nobody has ever died from waterboarding. It leaves no physical scars and it's not physically painful.

People die from tasering. two days ago it happened again. It's extremely painful and often leaves physical evidence if not scarring.

How is it that we are having a debate about torture and yet tasers are in such common use that we see it done on the news almost daily?

Spexxvet · 10-27-2007, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Undertoad

When I think about this question... it centers the debate exactly where I like it to be centered.

Nobody has ever died from waterboarding. It leaves no physical scars and it's not physically painful.

People die from tasering. two days ago it happened again. It's extremely painful and often leaves physical evidence if not scarring.

How is it that we are having a debate about torture and yet tasers are in such common use that we see it done on the news almost daily?

I think the difference is that a taser should be used on an attacker when there is an immediate threat of harm to someone who is not being violent, as an alternative to deadly force or harm from the attacker. My perception is that torturing is done to someone who is already under control, and not really a threat to anyone, because they are restrained, or whatnot. The problem is that tasers are being misused as a substitute for negotiation, restraint, etc. When a tasers is used on a restrained person, just to get obedience, or as punishment, then it is torture.

lumberjim · 10-27-2007, 09:14 AM

taser to the beeanbag

richlevy · 10-27-2007, 09:31 AM

Well, tasering instead of shooting someone is definitely preferable.

As with any weapon, the definition between defense and torture depends on when you stop. If you continue to taser someone when they no longer present a threat, it's torture, the same as if you continue to beat someone with a baton after they no longer present a threat.

TheMercenary · 10-27-2007, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richlevy

Well, tasering instead of shooting someone is definitely preferable.

As with any weapon, the definition between defense and torture depends on when you stop. If you continue to taser someone when they no longer present a threat, it's torture...

Or foreplay.

DanaC · 10-27-2007, 12:17 PM

Oh Merc, you're wrong 'un mate :P

Aliantha · 10-27-2007, 05:35 PM

Is tasering torture? I'd have to go with what rich said. A taser is meant to be a method of self defence just as much as a weapon, in fact, it would be true to say that any time a cop even thinks about putting his hand on his gun (or any other weapon) it should be in the interest of self defence or the defence of people or property.

There's a huge difference between protecting and preserving to deliberately setting out to cause pain and suffering for ulterior purposes.

Happy Monkey · 10-28-2007, 03:17 PM

The question isn't "is tasering torture?", it's "can you torture with a taser?" The answer is obviously yes. Most of the times that tasering enters the news, it's because that actually happened- someone was tasered when they weren't an immediate threat, to punish them or to satisfy a power trip.

Water boarding, on the other hand, inherently can't be used on someone who isn't already under control.

queequeger · 10-28-2007, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Happy Monkey

Water boarding, on the other hand, inherently can't be used on someone who isn't already under control.

And the terrorists are OUTTA CONTROL!!

Spexxvet · 10-29-2007, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aliantha

... or property.....

I'm not so big on the "it's ok to shoot somebody over your stuff" mentality....

TheMercenary · 10-29-2007, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spexxvet

I'm not so big on the "it's ok to shoot somebody over your stuff" mentality....

You are ok with someone coming to your house and stealing your car?

Spexxvet · 10-29-2007, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMercenary

You are ok with someone coming to your house and stealing your car?

I don't think I'd shoot them over it.

Spexxvet · 10-29-2007, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spexxvet

I don't think I'd shoot them over it.

I might tase them, though.

Happy Monkey · 10-29-2007, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMercenary

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spexxvet

I'm not so big on the "it's ok to shoot somebody over your stuff" mentality....

You are ok with someone coming to your house and stealing your car?

That's a false dichotomy.

TheMercenary · 10-29-2007, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spexxvet

I might tase them, though.

Since I bought a new one on Friday I would definately shoot thier ass.

10-27-2007, 08:26 AM	#1
Undertoad Radical Centrist Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cottage of Prussia Posts: 31,423	Is tasering torture? When I think about this question... it centers the debate exactly where I like it to be centered. Nobody has ever died from waterboarding. It leaves no physical scars and it's not physically painful. People die from tasering. two days ago it happened again. It's extremely painful and often leaves physical evidence if not scarring. How is it that we are having a debate about torture and yet tasers are in such common use that we see it done on the news almost daily?

10-27-2007, 09:14 AM	#3
lumberjim I can hear my ears Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 25,571	taser to the beeanbag __________________ This body holding me reminds me of my own mortality Embrace this moment, remember We are eternal, all this pain is an illusion ~MJKeenan

10-27-2007, 09:31 AM	#4
richlevy King Of Wishful Thinking Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Philadelphia Suburbs Posts: 6,669	Well, tasering instead of shooting someone is definitely preferable. As with any weapon, the definition between defense and torture depends on when you stop. If you continue to taser someone when they no longer present a threat, it's torture, the same as if you continue to beat someone with a baton after they no longer present a threat. __________________ Exercise your rights and remember your obligations - VOTE! I have always believed that hope is that stubborn thing inside us that insists, despite all the evidence to the contrary, that something better awaits us so long as we have the courage to keep reaching, to keep working, to keep fighting. -- Barack Hussein Obama

10-27-2007, 05:35 PM	#7
Aliantha trying hard to be a better person Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 16,493	Is tasering torture? I'd have to go with what rich said. A taser is meant to be a method of self defence just as much as a weapon, in fact, it would be true to say that any time a cop even thinks about putting his hand on his gun (or any other weapon) it should be in the interest of self defence or the defence of people or property. There's a huge difference between protecting and preserving to deliberately setting out to cause pain and suffering for ulterior purposes. __________________ Kind words are the music of the world. F. W. Faber

10-28-2007, 03:17 PM	#8
Happy Monkey I think this line's mostly filler. Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: DC Posts: 13,575	The question isn't "is tasering torture?", it's "can you torture with a taser?" The answer is obviously yes. Most of the times that tasering enters the news, it's because that actually happened- someone was tasered when they weren't an immediate threat, to punish them or to satisfy a power trip. Water boarding, on the other hand, inherently can't be used on someone who isn't already under control. __________________ _________________ \|...............\| We live in the nick of times. \| Len 17, Wid 3 \| \|_______________\| [pics]

10-27-2007, 12:17 PM	#6
DanaC We have to go back, Kate! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 25,964	Oh Merc, you're wrong 'un mate :P

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