No Torture

Introducing his National Intelligence Team on Friday, President-Elect Obama forcefully reiterated his promise to do away with the torture regime instituted by George Bush, Dick Cheney and Donald Rumsfled:

"I was clear throughout this campaign and was clear throughout this transition that under my administration the United States does not torture," Obama said, when asked at the news conference whether he would continue the Bush administration's policy of harsh interrogation. "We will abide by the Geneva Conventions. We will uphold our highest ideals."

But what about those Jack Bauer, ticking-time-bomb right-wing fantasies?

Obama has criticized interrogation practices he says amount to torture and also has promised to close the U.S. detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

The president-elect, who takes office Jan. 20, said he has given the men the clear charge to restore the United States' record on human rights.

"We must adhere to our values as diligently as we protect our safety with no exceptions," Obama said.