Does tortured thinking qualify as torture? Does fear and mental anguish for the future of this great country qualify as torture? If so, Mr. Schweers might be complicit in torture.

In his letter, Mr. Schweers cites a UN Convention that says, essentially, that there is no justification for torture.

But, like many, Mr. Schweers fails to define torture. And with no definition, one can conclude that torture is anything he chooses it to be on any given day. One thing today, something else tomorrow. Torturous sophism.

Let’s clarify. The UN defines torture as “any act by which severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, is intentionally inflicted…”

So, applying Mr. Schweers’ IRS metaphor, do the intentional actions of the IRS inflict mental pain and suffering on thousands of citizens? Absolutely. Some of the results last a lifetime. Is the IRS therefore guilty of torture?

Clarifying further. The same UN Convention states that “It (torture) does not include pain or suffering arising from, inherent in, or incidental to lawful sanctions.” This means, simply, that the CIA, IRS or any other government agency can inflict physical or mental pain and suffering and it’s not torture – by UN definition.

More tortured thinking?

By the way Mr. Schweers, I was water boarded. Twice. I can say with absolute certainty that it was frightening, but at no time life threatening. There was no severe physical or mental pain or suffering at any time, therefore, according to the UN, no torture.

But then, for some, perhaps anything that is a bit scary qualifies as torture. I happen to find that tortured sophisms that could affect the future of the country to be clear mental pain and suffering, therefore torture. For shame sir.