ENDING “HARSH INTERROGATIONS,” BUT WITH AN ASTERISK: “However, Obama’s changes may not be absolute. His advisers are considering adding a classified loophole to the rules that could allow the CIA to use some interrogation methods not specifically authorized by the Pentagon, the officials said, although the intent is not to use that as an opening for possible use of waterboarding.” Plus this: “There are some coercive techniques that he might employ on a ticking time bomb scenario, but he’ll distinguish himself by making it clear that the presumption under the law is that there is no torture.”

This is sounding kind of Dorwinesque.