“The White House on Wednesday defended the use of the interrogation technique known as waterboarding, saying it is legal - not torture as critics argue - and has saved American lives. President Bush could authorize waterboarding for future terrorism suspects if certain criteria are met, a spokesman said.” (story) And more: “Bush personally authorized Hayden’s testimony, White House deputy spokesman Tony Fratto said. […] Fratto said waterboarding’s use in the past was also approved by the attorney general, meaning it was legal and not torture.” I’m no lawyer, but as far as I know what is legal is not determined by the attorney general (or the President for that matter), but by the laws of the country; and, in a similar fashion, whether waterboarding is torture or not is also not determined by the attorney general or the President.