To the editor:

I have been struggling lately to understand why our new American policy of torturing terrorist suspects, including some later proved innocent, has been so disturbing to me. I decided that it bothers me because it seems to be inconsistent with my understanding of American values.

I was raised listening to both of my grandfathers’ stories about their service during World War II and the Korean War. I always felt most proud of America when my grandfather would describe how we treated prisoners of war by striving to treat them in accordance with the Geneva Conventions or better.

Recently, I asked him if America tortured our enemies during the war, and he looked at me as though I had insulted him. He replied that although the Germans and Japanese may have treated our service members poorly, we kept our honor by not sinking to their level.

By using torture in violation of international law, we are sacrificing our honor and integrity to buy a modicum of security. There are arguments that torture results in bad information, but I don’t think that point is important. It simply feels right and honorable that we should not sink to the level of torture, no matter how safe it makes us feel.

In order for America to keep its honor and take its place as a moral authority and a beacon of freedom, we must reaffirm our commitment to international humanitarian law and denounce the use of torture in all its forms.

Jason Lantz,

Lawrence