Analysis Of Torture's Terrible Toll By John Mccain

John McCain’s the essay Torture’s Terrible Toll is a much more persuasive essay because McCain, rather than the essay, The case of torture by Michael Levin. McCain’s essay describes his own personal experience in describing how torture is very useless. That he has seen/ had to go through the pain and agony through his own point of view. However, Levin uses hypothetical cases on why torture is beneficial. In the case of Torture, Michael Levin gives an ineffective example discussing a terrorist threatening to throw an atomic bomb on July 4th, in the demands of the release of other terrorist in jail, and the demands of money(levin 1). The example goes way out of proportion, Levin i thinking to much into the use of torture. Because there is no possible way of Levin knowing that is going to happen, and that shows no reason as to why torture is necessary. All it states is an idea that Levin has created i his mind that show no actual proof of anything. Levin goes on discussing how torturing is unconstitutional, restating the same reason in another paragraph. Which makes it more repetitive and no where near getting to a point. Levin discusses many hypothetical cases that may or may not happen. Which shows no valid arguments as to why torture is beneficial. Levin’s introduction of Levin’s case discusses, that
torture was usually during a brutal age which makes most societies now say that it is frowned upon to use torture, because it puts the united states at risk(Levin 1). The introduction of Levin’s essay already proves his point of torture being beneficial is wrong. Because Levin discusses that torture was used in the throwback of a harsh time period. Which means in societies now most people already frown upon torture. Levin introducing his essay in a manner like that makes readers more confused and really question what side Levin is on. Mccain’s essay is more persuasive essay than Levin’s. McCain describes his essay in a very respectful tone, McCain’s essay is also told from his point of view of being tortured. He knows how harmful and how useful torture is because he has been through it. Which gets the attention of most readers to hear and listens to the people who have experienced pain. McCain discusses that torturing does not always work, most of the time it often gives bad information rather than beneficial info. When McCain was being tortured he said that he realized they often say things that capturers want to hear. When McCain was captured by his enemies, they wanted McCain to provide the names of the people that was affiliated with the flight squadron. McCain gave the names of the GreenBay Packers instead of his actual squadron.(McCain 697). McCain shows that even if the use of being tortured is used it might not always work. So what McCain is claiming is that torturing does not work had the time. Which persuades the readers to think that if they were in the same position as McCain, they would most likely do the same. However, McCain does agree with Levin, that in a hypothetical case if a terrorist threatens a bomb and they demand his friends and money, it is understandable for torture, but only in a rare case like this.
Because what they are doing is wrong and there is a chance of trying to stop another 9/11. However, McCain claims that there should not be a law for torture. McCain also states that even in 1999, Israel supreme court banned harsh treatment, even though they had terrorism which proves that even if there was the use of terrorism in Israel they still banned torture. Which makes readers wonder that if Israel has done it, it would not be as bad if we have
done. McCain discuses how most prisoners who have been through pain and suffering had the choice between a beating a a mock exception, most of them would pick a beating. Due to the fact that the execution of being mocked will haunt them for the rest of their lives(McCain 699). McCain wrote that in a way to make readers question and think what they're choice would be. How it will effect them if they had to pick between the choices.If they would rather have a beating that lasts for one second or be mocked by execution, which may haunt them for the rest of their life. The beginning of McCain’s article he discusses how there are four treaties in tar Geneva conventions which are signed by the United States, which focuses on the treatment of humans during the time of Political Conflict and war(McCain 1). The introduction it has been described in an instructing way because it shows that he has the support of unity. McCain is also starting with a historical fact which makes the readers want to know why McCain started his essay like this, what is the meaning of it. Torture is a Terrible Toll, is a more persuasive essay due to the fact that it is more a personal view of describing how torture is very harmful. It also give out facts that prove what McCain is claiming. That shows valid information that torturing is harmful. Levin’s essay, The Case of Torture is less persuasive due to the lack of more factual evidence, that there was no point that McCain was really making. Other then having more hypothetical cases which may or may not happen in the future.