Orwell would be dismayed but not surprised

No matter how many times it’s used, the euphemism fools no one:

Of course, [Khalid Sheikh Mohammed]’s credibility is a very big “if.” He might have lied in his confession about his role in the 1993 WTC bombing; he might have lied to his CIA captors (which itself would say something about the effectiveness of their aggressive interrogation); or, in selecting bits and pieces out of their full context, the CIA project officer may have accidentally mis-briefed the 9/11 Commission staff.

If nothing else, good writing demands using the word torture. Don’t put two words where one will prove sufficient suffice. Regardless, even the partisans know that we torture. Using code words doesn’t make it less offensive.