Torture memos

[classicman]

From Redux's link

Any act by which severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, is intentionally inflicted on a person for such purposes as obtaining from him or a third person, information or a confession, punishing him for an act he or a third person has committed or is suspected of having committed, or intimidating or coercing him or a third person, or for any reason based on discrimination of any kind, when such pain or suffering is inflicted by or at the instigation of or with the consent or acquiescence of a public official or other person acting in an official capacity. It does not include pain or suffering arising only from, inherent in or incidental to lawful sanctions.
– Convention Against Torture, Article 1.1

Exactly what doesn't that include?

[Pete Zicato]

Either they are prisoners of war - in which case we hold them until the war is over according to the rules of the Geneva convention.

Or they are (accused) criminals in which case they should get a speedy and fair trial. Punishment according to law if/when they are proven guilty.

You are looking for an excuse for torture. If we stoop to that level, how are we better than any third world dictatorship?