The HN groupthink is strong in this thread. I wish they wouldn't downvote you just for voicing your (very reasonable) opinions on the matter. Of course, what do you expect when an article like this shows up on a forum for tech startups...

Personally, I agree with you. Without any real evidence I think it's just as plausible something like this could be fabricated for anti-American propaganda.

It would also not be the first time that the US used torture for its own purposes...

There is never a time where torture is acceptable, for revenge, for information, for anything. To do otherwise means you are taking into your own hands the humanity of others, to play god. And that would make you a monster.

You assume that you can easily identify who is guilty and who is not. How do you make sure the person in your hand is guilty in the first place? Do you know that "almost half of 212 Afghan prisoners (in Gitmo) either innocent or forced to fight for Taliban"? [1] How many of them tortured for information they don't have?

There are many countries where people suffer from dictators and oppressing regimes. US (and US citizens) shouldn't give those regimes an excuse for their actions by defending torture for any reason. Those dictators are telling people that they torture for the benefit of the society, to save multiple lives etc. Don't be like them.

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/apr/25/guantanamo-file...

In that case, consider the empirical argument: Torture doesn't work!

If someone has some information that you desperately need them to cough up, there are better ways to go about it.

Really, why on earth would you take actions that don't make sense to get information you don't need for reasons that don't exist?

Would you agree that even in cases as you describe, those doing the torturing should be prosecuted and punished? I would. If it's as important as you say, then the people doing it should be willing to fall on their swords afterwards.