Where in our contemporary moral economy is there a room for torturer? Can one imagine telling family and friends that one practice torture for the state? Deniability is important both to governments and to individual practitioners.
The modern phenomenon of torture has the opaque presence of the “deniable.” It must be known but not seen; it must be spoken of but never speak itself.
It is a political practice that cannot exist in a public space.
Cried a little after reading this. I miss this feeling of academic content. Oh I miss this.