FishingBanter - View Single Post

Kevin Vang · March 23rd, 2006, 04:55 AM posted to rec.outdoors.fishing.fly

In article ctkUf.14649$gD4.5326@trnddc05, says...
I would venture to say that at times torture of prisoners is the only option
left available. Its not pretty, but wounds heal. If the torture of a few
people leads to saving of a couple hundred lives, I believe the end
justifies the mean.

Math problem: Let p1 = the probability that there might be a ticking
time bomb somewhere. Let p2 = probability that the prisoner in custody
has information about the bomb. Let p3 = the probability that we could
get accurate information from the prisoner about the bomb. Let
p4 = the probability that we could get and use the information in time,
and let n = the expected number of lives that could be saved.

What are the minimum values of p1, p2, p3, p4, and n which would
justify the use of torture?

Kevin