Americans and Torture

The Economist has published poll data showing how opinions towards the use of torture vary around the world. Based on polls taken in early 2008, the results show that:

Respondents in western European democracies such as Britain and Spain were most hostile to the idea of even some degree of use of torture, whereas residents in big but poorer countries such as Nigeria, Turkey and India seemed most willing to tolerate the idea. . . According to the polls, Americans are more willing to tolerate the use of torture than are Chinese.

Another shameful legacy of the Bush-Cheney-Rove era. 45% of Americans now think it's OK to torture people. America, I hardly know thee.