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-   -   Is tasering torture? (http://cellar.org/showthread.php?t=15778)

Undertoad 10-27-2007 08:26 AM

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?

Spexxvet 10-27-2007 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Undertoad (Post 400333)
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 (Post 400343)
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. :D

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 (Post 400750)
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 (Post 400514)
... 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 (Post 401012)
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 (Post 401018)
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 (Post 401041)
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 (Post 401018)
Quote:

Originally Posted by Spexxvet (Post 401012)
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 (Post 401042)
I might tase them, though.

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


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