Those Who Torture

In the swirl of horrors and reactions related to last week’s torture report, I came across this very fine essay written by an Army veteran who later worked as a civilian interrogator at Abu Grahib.

When we think about the issues surrounding torture, we rightfully focus on those who have suffered from being tortured. Eric Fair poignantly and powerfully reminds us that those who torture might also suffer. He doesn’t hold back in confessing his culpability – he also gives us a chance to understand how his own choices and actions haunt him to this day.

You can read it here.

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Previous Comments:

Kat says:
December 15, 2014 at 1:52 pm
Such a confusing mix of emotions; heartbreak…what to say, how to hold the sadness and compassion for all involved. Then the next thing I read provided some words for me:
Lord, grant us the grace to weep over our indifference, over the cruelty that is in the world and in ourselves.
– @Pontifex, Jul 12, 2013
Thank you for your writing and for helping to bring these issues back into our focus when it woud be easier to dismiss them.

Elizabeth says:
December 15, 2014 at 4:41 pm 
Thanks, Kat – indeed, how to open ourselves up to the astoundingly confusing mix that arises with a situation like this. Yes.

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Jenifer Morgan says:
March 24, 2016 at 4:12 pm
It is so far to hold all sides compassionately in so many arenas! Thanks for this big step toward that capacaity.

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