Disclaimer: I don't own Alex Rider.

A/N: I was originally going to write this sort of like an essay for school (like how I would usually write something like this), but then I was like: "How would Alex – and not me – respond?"

Err… It might be a bit disorganized because I was trying too hard…?

"To live is to suffer, to survive is to find some meaning in the suffering."

Friedrich Nietzsch

Alex Rider: Responses to Mr. Burke's Thought Provoking Questions

1. What do you think are the civil rights and civil liberties that everyone should have?

Everyone should have the basic human rights, whether it's criminals, who've killed hundreds for their own benefit, or hardened war veterans, who've killed hundreds for others' benefit. All humans are equal and should be viewed equally, regardless to race, color, or sex. Everyone has the right to life, liberty, and the feeling of security. No one should be treated, viewed, or held as a slave. No one should ever be tortured, even if they hold sensitive information that could save lives. In the eyes of the law, everyone should be equal. If a person is persecuted, it should be because there is solid evidence. The person should have a fair trial in front of an impartial judge. Everyone, even children, should have the right to freedom of speech, as long as it doesn't hurt anyone. Religion falls under this category too.

There are probably a hundred more civil rights and liberties that I missed, but I think the point is clear. No one should be denied these rights.

2. Is there any time where these rights should be taken away?

Nothing can take the rights away. That doesn't mean that everyone listens to these rights. Just look at the government.

These rights were set up for a reason, and I believe we should abide to them.

3. Do you think our country should ever resort to torture?

We should never resort to torture. Ever. While it may benefit a person or a country, it violates the basic rights of a human. Article Five of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states: "No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment."

Besides, what happens to the person subjected to torture once they are free? Some may lose the will to live. They suffer from severe PTSD, and they can't surface from the memories of their captors slashing into their back with a whip or suffocating them by waterboarding. Some people break, and they stay broken. Some people become killers. They kill in order to get vengeance. And some people just survive because there's no other way.

One simply knows when there's no other way.

A/N: Um yeah, another "spur of the moment" thing. It was a bit uncomfortable to write in a bit of a different style (haha, I don't know if you guys noticed), but YEAH. If you do think that was bad, tell me why so I can fix it! I won't be hurt or offended, I swear.

Anyway, I'd like to thank all those who reviewed! You guys make me so HAPPY!

I might go write a third part to this about the debate on the third question (if you recall)... I don't know though. HMMM...

Reviews? Criticism is welcome!

-Alice (I was typing my name when I realized that instead of "Alice" I wrote "Alex". WHY?)