I used to believe...

...in "American Exceptionalism." I really did. For example, I remember telling my oldest brother a few years ago that "we don't torture; Nazis torture."

And then I read this yesterday (my emphasis):

A majority of Americans think that the harsh interrogation techniques used on terrorism suspects after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks were justified, even as about half of the public says the treatment amounted to torture, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll.

By a margin of almost 2 to 1 — 59 percent to 31 percent — those interviewed said that they support the CIA’s brutal methods, with the vast majority of supporters saying that they produced valuable intelligence.

In general, 58 percent say the torture of suspected terrorists can be justified “often” or “sometimes.”

So, I guess two things are true:

1. You get the government you deserve; and

2. When it comes to torture, we're no better than anyone else.