Improper phrasing of the question. Standing on our principles is just as important as preservation of the nation, in fact, they are one and the same.
And, yes, the "ticking time-bomb" scenario is EXACTLY on point and appropriate for this discussion. Just because you don't have a good answer for it doesn't make it invalid. If waterboarding is being used, that's what it is being used for, to stop planned activities that would result in massive deaths and casualties of innocent people. It's not being used to obtain money, or to get political power, or even to learn battlefield secrets in a traditional war, all of which I think most on this board would be against.
So again, clarity over agreement, for you, the ideal of NEVER torturing ANYONE is more important than even one innocent life being saved. I'm not saying that's right or wrong, I just want clarity.