"an almost untenable position"

Back in the old days (you know: the Inquisition) they called it "the water cure". Nowadays we call it "water boarding". By any name, it's torture, and anybody who is honest - or not inflicted with the "We are Good; the Good don't torture; we water board; water boarding is not torture QED" syndrome - knows it.

Mukasey refuses to admit it.

Will the Senate confirm this man?

"They are putting him in an almost untenable position on this," says White House spokesman Tony Fratto.

Maybe, but "almost untenable positions" are torture either.