After CIA revelations, who should take fall? Your Say

Letters edited for clarity and grammar:

The predictable back and forth finger-pointing, name calling and the-ends-justifies-the-means arguments concerning the intelligence gathering attempts by the CIA are distorting the only relevant fact that has finally been disclosed to the world.

The CIA, without question, used interrogation methods that a reasonable person would consider inhumane and amount to actual torture. I ask the CIA and their defenders to please not sugar coat it, try to justify it or spin it in any way. Just admit to the truth then shut up and face the consequences.

I have no doubt those consequences will be far less dire for you than for the reputation of this nation.

Gary Van Horn; East Leroy, Mich.

If anyone is prosecuted for alleged torture abuses, I trust it will be Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., head of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. She surely cannot hide behind the phrase "I didn't know."

German citizens after World War II tried that defense regarding the Nazi death camps — citizens who did not have the kind of power and insider knowledge that Feinstein has.

Pamela Boyd; Seattle, Wash.

Inquiring minds want to know: Why do we still seek to prosecute 95-year-old alleged Nazi war criminals and not 75-year-old alleged Bush administration war criminals? Moral equivalency is not the issue. Justice for the dead and tortured is the issue.

Following through on punishment would also be a warning against any such behavior in the future.

Walt Zlotow; Glen Ellyn, Ill.

Facebook comments edited for clarity and grammar:

Wars are terrible. That's why we should do any and everything possible to stay out of them.

Even though I believe former president George W. Bush was incompetent, as president he had the power and the right to do whatever it took after the Sept. 11 attacks to destroy the enemy.

We are dealing with an enemy that doesn't mind chopping off people's heads and airing it on television or flying planes into buildings.

Despite CIA revelations, there is absolutely no cause or justification for charging anyone with war crimes when al-Qaeda hasn't formally been charged.

Extreme means may be adequate when fighting them.

—Richard S. Copeland

The CIA needs a complete overhaul. Torturing people is something Americans would never stand for if not for the healthy dose of fear that people are feeling right now.

—Shawn Rana