An Alternative Set of Procedures

President Bush finally confirmed the existence of a formerly secret CIA program that holds "terror suspects" overseas.

During a telling press conference held last night, President Bush discussed 14 "high profile" suspects including Osama bin Laden associate Abu Zubaydah. The CIA held them (along with who-knows how many others) without charges in various Mystery Countries spread across the globe. They're now being shipped off to Guantánamo Bay.

Also, we tortured them. Or at least, someone tortured them. But it wasn't "the US". And "torture" isn't the best term.

Let's just let Bush explain it:

"We knew that Zubaydah had more information that could save innocent lives, but he stopped talking. As his questioning proceeded, it became clear that he had received training on how to resist interrogation. And so the CIA used an alternative set of procedures. "

An alternative set of procedures? Does that involve belly-rubbing? Or maybe the comfy couch?

It kinda sounds like torture to me. Mr. Bush, how do you respond?

" I want to be absolutely clear with our people, and the world: The United States does not torture."

Ok, that's pretty clear. The US doesn't torture. But prison guards in Saudi Arabia or Egypt might! Just as long as the CIA supervises.