Ali H. Soufan, F.B.I. special agent from 1997 to 2005, writes for the New York Times:

The inspector general’s report distinguishes between intelligence gained from regular interrogation and from the harsher methods, which culminate in waterboarding. While the former produces useful intelligence, according to the report, the latter “is a more subjective process and not without concern.” And the information in the two memos reinforces this differentiation.

They show that substantial intelligence was gained from pocket litter (materials found on detainees when they were captured), from playing detainees against one another and from detainees freely giving up information that they assumed their questioners already knew. A computer seized in March 2003 from a Qaeda operative for example, listed names of Qaeda members and money they were to receive.

via Op-Ed Contributor – What Torture Never Told Us – NYTimes.com.

Soufan and other experts keep asserting, with mounting proof, that conventional interrogation of terror suspects produced all intelligence needed to thwart terrorism and Bush Administration approved torture was a collection of brutal, criminal, non-productive methods used to personally destroy those suspected of being terrorists. The Cheney Daddy and Daughter team continue to lie and yet are never called to respond to facts. Even when they are, they lie or deflect. Just like the run up to Iraq war, talking heads sit idly by them and nod approvingly.