No Demagoguery here

Bush defended his torture policy again the other day. Of course, he claims that we don't torture, though he can't define it:

"Q The word “torture.” What’s your definition?
THE PRESIDENT: That’s defined in U.S. law, and we don’t torture.
Q Can you give me your version of it, sir?
THE PRESIDENT: Whatever the law says."

But he sure can defend it:

"'"This program has produced critical intelligence that has helped us stop a number of attacks -- including a plot to strike the U.S. Marine camp in Djibouti, a planned attack on the U.S. consulate in Karachi, a plot to hijack a passenger plane and fly it into Library Tower in Los Angeles, California, or a plot to fly passenger planes into Heathrow Airport and buildings into downtown London," Bush said.

"Despite the record of success, and despite the fact that our professionals use lawful techniques, the CIA program has come under renewed criticism in recent weeks. Those who oppose this vital tool in the war on terror need to answer a simple question: Which of the attacks I have just described would they prefer we had not stopped?""

Nevermind that some of those plots have disappeared into neocon fantasy. Just note that this is how Bush's mind works, and always has. Anyone who is not with him is against him. Anyone who disagrees with his policies wants the terrorists to kill people. It is abusive and manipulative language.

Update. And according to a new book Bush and Rumsfeld played an active role in our torture policy--directly ordering aggressive interrogation techniques.

Sigh.

Updated again. Sunday Forum: Two problems with torture. Not to give it away, but the two problems are that torture is wrong, and doesn't work.