Torture serves two functions.

[Jackpine Radical]

It is the most efficient and reliable way to produce false confessions and disinformation, and it satisfies the perverted, sadistic impulses of very nasty people.

No wonder Cheney likes it so much.

[riqster]

1. It also provides valuable talking points for those in the tortured person's group.

[Vox Moi]

2. 3: It terrifies the rest of us

The intended audience is the people who haven't been tortured yet.
The brass knew about the possibility that the photos from Abu Ghraib would end up on the internet.
The torture (some of it, anyway) at Gitmo was also leaked out.
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We can and will do this … better not be mistaken for an enemy.
In Iraq it increased opposition to the occupation and I believe that was the intended result.
On the domestic scene, torture, brutality and killings by the government and the police serve the purpose of reminding people that you can't assert your civil rights when being clubbed or when you are dead.
Pain is the medium and fear is the message.

[starroute]

3. In a society that allows torture, no one is free

If the alternative is either torture or terrorism, I'll take my chances with the terrorists, thank you very much.

[CJCRANE]

4. Torturism. nt