This opinion piece by a former US Congressman gets right down to basics, with no euphemisms allowed: "When forced to answer questions regarding torture, as in the recent debate surrounding the technique known as waterboarding, administration officials dismiss such discussions as improper talk of vital national security matters; denigrate and dismiss such discussions as "silly," as Vice President Dick Cheney did in a recent interview; or deflect criticism by adding a waffle word in front of the operative term and sliding away." The author rightly castigates not only he present presidential administration, but the media as well for its own shortcomings when it comes to the subject of torture: "The administration and its supporters rely on the unfortunate propensity of many journalists, members of Congress, and others to accept whatever explanation is proffered without probing beneath the surface."