Torture polls

Thanks to Elizabeth Brown for sending, and to Steve S., for posting, in response to my request, the NCR polls regarding Catholics' and others' views on the permissibility of using torture.  I agree, obviously, with Steve and Elizabeth that those numbers are extremely disturbing, and -- like the numbers indicating that many Catholics support abortion rights, or oppose choice-in-education -- reflect a dramatic (and, to me, demoralizing and surprising) failure on many Catholics' part to understand the implications and demands of the Faith.  Of course, I join Elizabeth in rejecting Linda Chavez's observation that "[o]ur good ends really do justify use of evil means against this enemy because, well, this enemy is different."  (In my view, "this enemy is different" and very dangerous, but that difference does not change or undermine the moral prohibition against torture.)  And, I agree that Sen. McCain's clear statements on and against torture are admirable.