Bad behavior

As the Iraqi government begins to investigate allegations of torture at a secret underground detention center run by Shiite police in Baghdad, it's time for a bit more reflection on just how repulsive the deliberate, cruel, sadistic practice of torture truly is. Whatever the reasons cited for the imprisonment of the Sunnis discovered on Sunday, the behavior of their captors should be renounced by the international community.

As should all such excessive examples of mistreatment.

Torture is a barbaric act that we as a civilized citizenry must rise above, especially if we wish to claim moral superiority to those who employ it. It is something we must as a nation officially condemn, no matter what the hypothetical circumstance invented by its apologists. It is, quite simply, something that people of character don't do.

Let's hope that global reaction is swift and unwavering. And let's also hope that this incident in Baghdad forces our Commander in Chief to reevaluate his position on torture, and take a stand on the right side of the moral fence.