It has only been a few days since we announced, with our partner Mother Jones, a hunt for good journalism around the topic of torture. But in that short period you can tell, by looking at our topic page on torture, that it has been very fruitful.
We have found quality journalism in almost every medium from a wide range of publications including Link TV's "Tortured Words" clip, the Seattle Times' special report on the painful legacy of Indian boarding schools and Mother Jones' piece "Am I a Torturer," which reviewer Dwight Rousu rightly points out shows the aftermath of being a soldier who committed torturous acts, "the effect on their lives is well presented and often poignant."
The timing for this topic couldn't have been better with both Mother Jones and the Washington Monthly providing fantastic packages around the subject. My favorite piece from Washington Monthly, and the highest one rated by our community members, is "No Torture. No Exceptions, by Wesley K. Clark.
What we have collectively found, in just a few short days, are some of the most informative articles on torture that anyone can ask for. If you don't consider yourself to be knowledgeable in the topic, spend some time digging through what we've aggregated and we are confidant you will come out a more informed and equipped citizen.
For example, I humbly admit my previous ignorance about Bush's veto of a bill to ban waterboarding. Between the LA Time's feature article and the Associated Press' news release of this timely information, I am aware and have my own opinions of this news.
In addition to timely news, our search uncovered some deep thoughts about what it means that the United States, the strongest nation in the world, is now associated with inhuman practices and whether or not torture is something that fundamentally tears away from our founding principles. In fact, the highest rated article this week comes from Alternet, titled "Torture Still Doesn't Work," it is a look at the effects of torture throughout history and if the United States is really benefiting at all from engaging in it. If you are looking for context and information about the history of torture, this is the article for you to read, it garnered 4.5 on both counts.
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