Regrets for your confusion about torture

Alberto Gonzales is still on the torture excuse-making tour. I have a little test. Call it my version of the Justice Potter Stewart "I know it when I see it" evaluation. If Alberto will just let me submit him to some of the non-torture techniques the US uses and about which we are all very very confused, then I'll accept his claims. Come here, Alberto, I've got some phosphorescent lightbulbs for you. Unintentionally, of course.

The U.S. attorney general — speaking Tuesday at the International Institute for Strategic Studies think-tank in London — vehemently denied such charges, but acknowledged that people might interpret the term "torture" in different ways. The U.S. abides by its own definition, which he said was the intentional infliction of severe mental or physical suffering.

"The U.S. abhors torture and categorically rejects its use," Gonzales said, adding that where appropriate the U.S. sought assurances from foreign governments before transporting detainees there, and did not transport anyone "to a country if we believe it more likely than not that the individual would be tortured."

Gonzales also said the U.S. did not use airports in Europe or anywhere else to move detainees for the purpose of torture.

"The United States has always been and remains a great defender of human rights and the rule of law," Gonzales said. "I regret that there has been concern or confusion about our commitment to the rule of law."

While we're at it, let's add another administration lie.

"We are aware of no other nation in history that has afforded procedural protections like these to enemy combatants," he said.