Liberals and conspiracy theorists are having a blast with recent claims that the CIA destroyed video tapes depicting the alleged "waterboarding" torture of two al Queda suspects.

At first blush these allegations may seem shocking, and more than five years later, it's easy to cast aspersions even if those tapes did in fact depict actions violating the Geneva Convention. Let's not forget the timing of these interrogations, though.

According to a report at CNN.com, the interrogations were recorded in 2002, less than a year after al Queda took responsibility for flying planes into the World Trade Center, the most revered symbol of American virility and the Pentagon, the international symbol of American power. Al Queda certainly had no regard for the Geneva Convention when it launched these heinous attacks.

For many conservative and liberal Americans, finding those responsible and bringing them to justice was the only concern in 2002. It was a uniting factor. Sure, mistakes were made. Regrettable mistakes, but necessary ones in the fight against global terror.

As Barry Goldwater said:

"I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice, and ... moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue."