Im wondering, if this could be prevented by providing acountability across generations.
If we where to store the names of torturing individuals - and generate a civilian resistance- by refusing to employ, buy and sell to those who engage in torture and everyone decending from them, pressure could be applied.
"Im not going to the prom with you, cause your father/grandfather was a torturer" - sounds like something that could hit home. And goverment seems to have escaped all (self)controll otherwise.
So don't punish the individuals but punish their grandchildren because they share 1/4 of thier grandparents DNA. Sounds fair.
Now how about we make a family tree of all the anti gay marridge activists so we can punish thier great-grandchildren in 80 years time. That will teach them not to be born share DNA with thier great-grandparents.
Social condemnation of torture would be a great start. But unfortunately the average Joe strongly believes that its easy to tell if someone is holding out and that torture is an effective way of extracting information if they were. Programmes like 24 reinforce this image (but are not really to blame - they would hardly be popular if they were realistic).
Extending such social ostracism to descendants is ridiculous though. It wouldn't deter the torturers (many of whom probably believe they are doing what is necessary) and would just lead to witch hunts. You'd have better luck with "I'm not going to the prom with you, cause you support torture, so I have no idea what other perverse ideas you think are ok".
Stephen Behnke has a PhD and a JD, and he used this amazing education to enable and excuse torture and torturers, and to be besmirch America. Shouldn't he be infamous?
"Im not going to the prom with you, cause your father/grandfather was a torturer" - sounds like something that could hit home. And goverment seems to have escaped all (self)controll otherwise.