Measure torture by impact on innocents

I have currently been reading a horrifying book on the Japanese invasion of China and several weeks that followed now known as "the rape of Nanking".

The Chinese were much like pre-9/11 Americans in that they could not wrap their head around the brutality headed their way. We live in a dangerous and, at times, terrifying world where human life in some quarters is of no significance whatsoever.

Jihadists are in fact no different from the Imperial Japanese in their disregard for life, including their own. The deaths of innocents are celebrated as somehow advancing a twisted ideology.

I submit we measure "torture" in the broadest possible context. Torture is flying planeloads of innocent people into buildings filled with innocent people. Torture is making those on the top floors choose between being burned alive or leaping to their deaths. Torture is a child growing up without a parent who did nothing but go to work one day and never came home.

People who have no regard for human life cannot be brought within the pale of civilized law. Accurate intelligence and quick action is necessary to thwart them. If a good soaking can save innocent lives then I say we build more bathtubs.

It's time to stop this ridiculous debate and face reality!

Steve Quick

Arlington Heights