It is has been noted by countless experts that torture doesn't work. Suspects who are tortured will say whatever their torturers want to hear to get it to stop.

So it is curious that the Bush administration has gone to such lengths to retain its "enhanced interrogation techniques" despite the outcry from its own intelligence professionals.

Well, it's not so curious when you take a long look at what they are really after.

As the faulty intelligence that led to the war in Iraq showed, Bush and his people were not interested in the truth, but in supporting their pre-determined decision to invade. As Bush told Spain's president just before the war began, "I am optimistic because I believe I am right. I am at peace with myself."

This belief that Bush and Dick Cheney have that they are right despite any evidence comes up over and over again. Theirs is a faith-based reality, where believing is everything.

They don't care if the intelligence they gather is the truth. They already know the truth. To them, intelligence gathering is all about making the case for what they already believe.

Torture is the perfect tool for them. They want the suspects to tell them what they want to hear. That is the whole point.

George W. Bush would no more back down on these false beliefs than he would disavow Jesus Christ. No amount of reality intrusion can stop him.

Which is why in times of trouble, large segments of the country voted for him. He was their rock during a confusing and dangerous era. For some reason, people have this image that a leader who changes his mind is weak. But as we have seen, a leader who doesn't can be a total disaster.

Update: Here is a glimpse of just how faith-based and insulated the Bush-Cheney team is:

"...And the thing about Vice President Cheney is that his decision-making -- or his recommendations about my decision-making -- are based upon a core set of principles that are deeply rooted in his very being. He is predictable in many ways because he brings a set of beliefs. And they're firm beliefs."