Well, isn't this deeply disturbing?

[Artega]

And I'm sure you've seen it used both ways and can provide us with detailed accounts.

No, I haven't. I'm a lazy eighteen-year-old American that sits at his computer and says things that he has no idea of. Is that what you're trying to imply?

I don't allow my emotions to factor into what I do and the decisions I make. This is why I'm often at ends with people who do, and you (and what seems to be the majority of people everywhere) seem to be one of those people.

1.) Do you think psychological torture is an effective way to gather information from someone unwilling to talk?
2.) Do you think psychological torture is immoral or necessary? How about in this war?
3.) Do you psychological torture will cause long-term mental health problems? If so, what proof do you have of this?
4.) In your mind, is there a difference between psychological torture and physical torture?

This wasn't directed at me, but I'm going to throw my two cents into the pot just the same.

I do think that torture of various kinds can be very effective. Starvation and deprivation of basic daily routines are what come to mind here, though I believe that those have been classified as being psychological torture, and not physical.

I believe that torture can be effective. Whether or not it is essential is for a high-ranking official or officer to decide. As I said earlier in this post, I don't allow my emotions to factor into my decision-making process, so whether it's immoral or not isn't of consequence to me. I frankly don't consider this debacle to be a war, at least not in the conventional sense.

I don't have Googled links at the ready, but I would have to say that, yes, torture of any kind (particularly that of the psychological nature) would have lasting, long-term effects. Just look at rape victims; oftentimes, they need psychological counseling and/or medication(s) to overcome the psychological trauma. I have a close friend who was raped, and she has to use medication to keep the nightmares from coming back, so I guess that is as close to proof as I can submit - though your believing that is dependant on whether or not you consider what I say to be truthful. It's not "torture" per se, but wouldn't the long-term stress syndrome sometimes experienced by war veterans also be viable proof?

The obvious answer is that yes, there is a difference; one involves playing "mind games", while the other simply relies around beating the prisoner into submission. That's about as basic an answer as I can give.