Why does the USA condone torture?

For many years the US did not tolerate torture, but the present administration believes that their end justifies any means. I'm sure that when Bush/Chaney are gone for good that we'll go back to condemning torture and torturers. Until then, hope and pray that you and yours don't end up on any of the adminisrations lists.

We live in a very different world, it is unfortunate that we have people who will stop at nothing to further their beliefs or percieved injustices. We should be able to use everything we have to stop or prevent the loss of innocent lives up to deadly force and YES torture. If my familys lives were threatened and a terrorist had the information to save them, I would have absolutely NO problem in using any means possible to extract that information, including torture.

The US does NOT condone torture. I can tell you from first hand experience that the military cracks down very hard on its members that lower themselves to the use of torture during interrogation.

it was condoned because the US didn't want to be ANYTHING like england. there were various kings at the time from different nations that would just kill for the sake of killing. the US was determined to be the "land of the free" and just. look at the 9th ammendment in the constitution!