Coercive Interrogation

What is torture?

Placing a prisoner's head (or other body parts) in a vice and applying pressure until he talks?

Stripping him naked and making fun of his shriveled up wee-wee?

There are sadistic methods of torture to satisfy the sick minds of some captors, and there are more effective, and generally humane, methods of getting someone to talk.

The effective (and humane) methods usually involve physical and psychological discomfort if the prisoner is the belligerent sort.

When dealing with terrorists, I've got no problem with interrogation techniques that others may consider cruel - including water-boarding. I'm content to leave the choice of techniques to the professionals.

If we were dealing with captured soldiers, for whom the Geneva and Hague Conventions apply, I would be against using even unnecessary discomfort. Military prisoners deserve the respect of their captors (who are legally required to care for their safety and personal needs). Captured soldiers are not criminals.
Terrorists, on the other hand, are pirates and brigands and are, therefore, not deserving of respect or consideration.

I do not doubt that some captured terrorists have valuable information that, when extracted, may save lives. However, to avoid having to deal with whining liberals, depletion of our combat resources, and to discourage further terrorist activities, I am in favor of a take-no-prisoners policy. Just kill 'em and move on.

These are bad people, and they need to be eliminated - totally. Don't forget what they would be more than happy to do to you if you happened to fall into their clutches.