The problem with Republican support for waterboarding

This article interested me because it is obviously a very controversial subject. What I learned from the article however, was simply that there is not enough information on this subject. There is no clear knowledge whether using waterboarding is causing other countries to treat us more harshly. There is no research proving whether or not information gained through waterboarding could be gained through other, more humane methods. Basically, the costs and benefits do not seem to have been proven, so it seems impossible to me to decide whether waterboarding should be used or not. Thus, the article seemed to lack a logical argument. It asserted that waterboarding was wrong, but went on to say how no research existed proving anything. I suppose it appeals to pathos, because use of the word "torture" certainly turns some people against the idea instantly. In addition, there was some patriotic stuff about "setting an example" and all that jazz. In my opinion, none of that is what matters. If waterboarding can save large numbers of lives that can be saved no other way, it is an unfortunate necessity. If it produces nothing that couldn't be gained other ways, it is unnecessary and inhumane. However, no one seems to be proving anything one way or another.
That said, the article did a decent job of trying to convince readers that waterboarding should not be used. If he had more evidence to back up his claim, it certainly would have been a stronger argument. However, if no research exists that might help him, he did a pretty good job considering. He appeals strongly to pathos, as I have said, by encouraging people to imagine the same techniques being used on our soldiers. He also appeals to logos, suggesting that information gained through waterboarding might be gained a different way. He refers to knowledgeable people who have suggested that use of waterboarding will encourage other countries to treat our troops more brutally. In addition, he quotes Herman Cain, Rick Santorum, and Michele Bachmann, who all support waterboarding. He makes them look a bit silly when they try to make it out as a humane interrogation technique rather than torture. I think this article certainly leaves room for debate, but I think the author did a fairly convincing job since the information he would need to be more convincing probably does not exist.

Article: http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/the-problem-with-republican-support-for-waterboarding/2011/11/14/gIQA4pmIMN_story.html