>This whole discussion just amazes me. The question is NOT how we define torture. The question is precisely who is doing the torturing. I am amazed that no one appears to be asking that question and getting specific answers.

From my point of view (not a native english speaker and not totally sure on american usage) the military would not be considered part of the government (they will not be exchanged by elections - but often only the top echelons in ministries will be exchanged after a change forced by voting, so how to define "government" ?). Interpreted this way the staement "This government does not torture people." has even less of a meaning describing the number of people not torturing. YOu could go even further and argue that an abstraction, the government, cannot torture people, only people can<g>.

regards

thomas