An article in today's N.Y. Times indicates that C.I.A. interrogators were ordered to stay away from interrogations where torture was being used:

A classified directive issued by the agency's headquarters on Aug. 8, 2003, to all its personnel in Iraq advised that "if the military employed any type of techniques beyond questions and answers, we should not participate and should not be present," according to an account provided by a senior intelligence official.

The Bush Administration's skirting of the line of providing sanction to the use of torture and physical abuse of suspects was more than immoral--it harmed the nation's prosecution of the War on Terror.  According to Willie J. Rowell, former, Army C.I.D. Agent, interviewed for Sy Hersh's stunning best-seller, Chain of Command, the use of force with prisoners is invariably counter-productive.  “They'll tell your what you want to hear, truth or no truth,”  said Rowell.  “You can flog me until I tell you what I know you want me to say . . . you don't get righteous information.” (p. 66.)

When the torture photos and memos finally came out, damage was done to the U.S. war effort.  Allies became especially wary of helping the U.S., who appeared to be engaged in a futile and morally bankrupt enterprise.  The torture did wonders for the insurgents, who scored a victory without firing a shot.

The first step in winning the fight both in Iraq and against terrorism is to win the hearts and minds of those who might be inclined to provided tacit support to insurgents in Iraq and terrorists everywhere.  We can't do that when our own government's actions are stained with immorality.  Step one will be a full accounting to both Iraqis and Americans.  Only then can we begin to rebuild the trust that will be needed for victory in Iraq and in the War on Terror as well.