How is water boarding torture. I believe for an act to be torture requires a method which will risk permanent harm or disability to the individual, or imminent organ failure, or death.

I don't see how water boarding does this. It just gives the illusion of drowning, its a controlled situation, there is no risk of death, or any serious harm or organ failure. So in that regard, I would have no problem with such a method to high value detainees.

You could argue that its inhuman or cruel treatment, but my personal opinion is that it isn't. Various US government agents did it, to test it, and I doubt they would have if it was cruel or inhuman.

But, whatever you consider this method, its still stupid to release to the world what methods you are using, especially when you know it will cause outrage in your own country, and a decline in prestige abroad.

__________________
"Conservatives are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are conservatives." — John Stuart Mill