I'm not clear on what the point being made here is -- it is OK for the CIA to waterboard inmates, as long as eventually someone it is being used on divulges something true and useful?

I wonder how long it will be before other major countries adopt aspects of these programs (including extraordinary rendition) inside the USA, but for less dramatic cases. I would imagine the Chinese or the Russians would be eager to snatch up key USA defense contractor employees, sweep them away (temporarily or permanently), and waterboard them to their heart's content to get details on certain weapons or systems. Why would they refrain, how guilty would they feel, and what would they have to lose?

My point is, once you set an example of saying that nothing is off the table (including savagery and acting like a thug), and demonstrate a willingness to use the worst possible tactics, your opponents add those tactics to their standard ranges of options.