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It is a matter of dispute whether it serves any valid purpose to distinguish between degrees or levels of torture. To some opponents, "torture is torture" and should always be prohibited. The US maintains that its [[coercive interrogation]] techniques are not "[[torture]]". While this position has met with considerable resistance from legal experts nationwide<ref>http://hrw.org/english/docs/2006/04/06/usdom13130.htm</ref>, President [[George W. Bush]] vetoed the [[McCain Amendment]], which was intended to tighten the definition of torture.
It is a matter of dispute whether it serves any valid purpose to distinguish between degrees or levels of torture. To some opponents, "torture is torture" and should always be prohibited. The US maintains that its [[coercive interrogation]] techniques are not "[[torture]]". While this position has met with considerable resistance from legal experts nationwide<ref>http://hrw.org/english/docs/2006/04/06/usdom13130.htm</ref>, President [[George W. Bush]] vetoed the [[McCain Amendment]], which was intended to tighten the definition of torture.
On [[21 June]] [[2004]], the Justice Department released a memo defining torture only as treatment that can cause, "organ failure or even death." The release of this definition of torture by the Justice Department spurred President Bush to appear on national television the very same day and clarify by saying, "I have never ordered torture. I will never order torture."
On [[21 June]] [[2004]], secret Justice Departmentdocuments were released defining torture only as treatment that can cause, "organ failure or even death." The release of this definition of torture by the Justice Department spurred President Bush to appear on national television the very same day and clarify by saying, "I have never ordered torture. I will never order torture."
On [[19 December]] [[2005]], the United States Congress passed a resolution placing a ban on "cruel, inhuman or degrading" treatment of "detainees." This ban was reinforced by the strongly split Supreme Court on [[30 June]] [[2006]].
On [[19 December]] [[2005]], the United States Congress passed a resolution placing a ban on "cruel, inhuman or degrading" treatment of "detainees." This ban was reinforced by the strongly split Supreme Court on [[30 June]] [[2006]].