I've heard people complain being forced to stand in line for hours as torture. Does anyone consider that a violation of the Geneva conventions? So it's no surprise to me people can over generalize the term to include all coercive interrogation techniques. In my mind any form of coercive interrogation that sane people would willingly submit themselves to in order to build up resistence to (ie water boarding, sleep deprivation, loud music) should not be considered torture under the Geneva conventions (which lacks a specific definition I believe). I also agree completely that the Geneva conventions only legally apply to countries that have signed the treaty and agreed to abide by it, not terrorists who obviously have no regard to it. However, that does not excuse us from violating our ideals and support of human rights by practicing true torture on anyone (such as electroshock, brutal beatings, mutillation, sexual abuse, or killing loved ones).

Regards,
Mark