My question is this: What if the CIA contacted you and said the person you love the most in the world is being held by terrorists who plan on executing him/her in the morning? They tell you that they have a prisoner who knows where your loved one is being held and the president has authorized wateboarding but only if you OK it. What would your decision be? Stand by your "waterboarding is torture" pledge and let your dear one die while the ACLU gets the terrorist who knows all about it set free? Or will you do the right thing and prove that you are a hypocritical fool who is incapable of making the right moral decision unless it affects you directly?

Or more accurately, what if they told you that the prisoner MIGHT know, or might just be completely innocent (government employees aren't all known for their competence). Do you agree to torture knowing that if the prisoner IS innocent that YOU will deserve to have your loved one die, or do you take a principled stand and hope for the best.