These are not logical arguments for the use of torture.
1. It provided key intelligence that prevented another attack on American soil.
Assuming that it did....it is still TORTURE that we as a nation, yes us Americans - remember?, do not tolerate. We don't tolerate it because it is inhumane and we as a country, for better or worse, in times of peace and war, when we feel safe or scared, DO NOT promote - EVER - stripping an individual of their basic humanity. THAT is what has always made us the beacon of morality across the globe and THAT is what we have lost in the past 8 years since 9-11. THAT is why one can make an argument that beyond the now vacant Manhattan skyline since 9-11 is an emerging vacant morality of America. If the terrorists have won, its because of that CHOICE America made.
2. Nancy Pelosi and the Democrats knew about it because they were briefed weekly if not daily.
Assuming that they were...it is still TORTURE that we as a nation, yes us Americans - remember?, do not tolerate. You can make it a political issue...Reps. vs, Dems but that is a red herring and it is still TORTURE. If Democrats knew and were complicit then they are torturers to and we as a nation TORTURED.
3. The terrorists were really bad guys and they attacked us.
Yes they were bad guys...really, really bad guys. Scary guys that stirred archetypal fears in us and made us want to be bad guys too. But TORTURE is still TORTURE that we as a nation, yes us Americans - remember?, do not tolerate. Don't tweak my amygdala and make me act like a lizard that is being stalked by a scorpion.
4. America just became weaker with the release of the torture memos.
No, America has a chance now to take back what 9-11 has taken from us...our morality, our dignity, our integrity. We can take back what was distinctly ours..."America". Yes it will be ugly and yes it will makes us look bad but it will BEGIN to make us look HONEST again. We can reclaim our moral standing in the world because we can show the world that we can self-assess and self-correct. THAT is MORALITY.
We don't have to prosecute anyone but we have to say this is what happened...this is why it happened...and this is how it will not happen again.
We have become a country that tortures and strips people of their basic humanity. Take it from there and move forward.