Larry: I don’t condone what we’ve done. And note I say “we” instead of the US Government, because we’re all culpable here.

I don’t support torture and I never have. I’ve seen it used in the field and it is sickening. I got into a fierce debate with Casca over the use of torture and I think the willingness of the US to engage in the practice, as well as using tools like extraordinary rendition ultimately cheapens us as both a country and an ideal (“land of the free and the home of the brave”).

I think Gitmo is a disgrace and should be closed, and I’ve argued for that.

But I’ve also argued that sometimes the choice isn’t between good and bad, but bad and worse. You reference the Shah and Batista. Is Iran better under it’s present system of government? Is Cuba? Those are sincere questions, by the way. I’d like to hear your take. I don’t think they are, but I’m using them to make the “bad versus worse” point. It’s all a matter of perspective, I suppose, but, objectively speaking, a case can be made for Batista versus Castro and the Shah versus Khomeini.