Folks, keep in mind it would have been much worse if the president just let Congress override his veto of McCain's bill. That would have sent a signal that the WH is losing its power.
By compromising on the issue, the WH is still at the wheel here and "okaying" the bill.
Anybody who thinks this bill passing means the CIA will stop torturing when it is necessary really needs to buy a clue. The CIA conducts operations in secret and no doubt will continue to torture in the rare time when it is needed.
the white house lost on this one, there is no way to spin this any other way - this is a political defeat. the congress is not capable of producing any real leaders, just cowards, an occasional exception like Duncan Hunter and Curt Weldon. Had someone prominent, like Senator Allen, moved to the right of McCain on this (on the CIA exemption at least) and given him some pause that is was going to be a primary issue, the situation might have been different.
Oh jolly, instead of not passing a stupid law, we sanction and pretty much insure, flouting of the law by the executive branch. What other laws can they flout with your OK?
I'd much rather they not pass stupid laws, and repeal those, such as the ratification of the convention, or at least parts of it, that they have already passed, rather than counting on the executive branch to violate the law when it thinks that's necessary.