To the Editor:

Re “Prosecute Torturers and Their Bosses” (editorial, Dec. 22):

On behalf of those of us who have been deeply shamed by our country’s recent history of torture and abuse of human rights, thank you for having the courage to call for the prosecution of former Vice President Dick Cheney and his minions. I realize that this courageous stance will not endear you to the inside sources you need for your core mission. This makes your bravery in this matter even more notable.

Confronting the horrors of the damage done in our name will not be easy for the United States. We are too much imbued with our own exceptionalism. Recognizing the evil done by those we trusted to do the right thing will require a national level of self-examination that is unprecedented in our history.

If other newspapers and media outlets around the country follow your courageous lead, real change might be possible.

DAN JONES

Montpelier, Vt., Dec. 22, 2014

To the Editor:

Your editorial makes a passionate and compelling case to prosecute those who ordered, supported and participated in the C.I.A.’s “enhanced interrogation” techniques, which many would call “torture.” Yet before we go down the road of a criminal prosecution, we must ask ourselves: Is this the best way for the United States to move on as a nation?