Pelosi: BushCo Misled Me On Waterboarding
Nancy Pelosi faced the cameras Thursday morning and said she was misled by the Bush administration on the waterboarding of detainees, and strongly rebutted claims she was an accomplice to torture.
“To the contrary … we were told explicitly that waterboarding was not being used,” she told reporters, referring to a formal CIA briefing she received in the fall of 2002.
Pelosi said she subsequently learned that other lawmakers were told several months later by the CIA about the use of waterboarding.
“I wasn’t briefed, I was informed that somebody else had been briefed about it,” she said.
Pelosi said Democrats did what they could to stop waterboarding, but that no letter was going to change that policy.
She also suggested that the current Republican criticism marked an attempt to divert attention from the Bush administration’s actions.
“They misrepresented every step of the way, and they don’t want that focus on them, so they try to turn the focus on us,” she said.
And, not surprisingly, the right wing has taken the blame for torture and placed it squarely on Nancy Pelosi, removing themselves from the equation. Karl Rove in the WSJ even goes so far as to accuse Pelosi as being “an accessory to the crime of torture,” (if it was torture, that is).
If Mrs. Pelosi considers the enhanced interrogation techniques to be torture, didn’t she have a responsibility to complain at the time, introduce legislation to end the practices, or attempt to deny funding for the CIA’s use of them? If she knew what was going on and did nothing, does that make her an accessory to a crime of torture, as many Democrats are calling enhanced interrogation?
As the Auburn Journal’s Skeptic points out:
In other words, the politicians on the right are condemning her for not publicly opposing torture at the same time they are claiming torture is vital to our “national security.”
But they are vague about what exactly they think Pelosi (then the minority leader) should have done when she was informed of the Bush administration’s plan to use different interrogation “techniques.”
Should…Pelosi have held a press conference and outed Bush? Should she have leaked classified information? Should she have tried to stop Bush, Cheney and Rumsfeld by any means possible? And how do you suppose the Republicans would have responded if Pelosi had tried to impede Bush? (which is something they now condemn her for NOT doing).
How about this scenario?
2002:
CIA to Pelosi: “We’re using interrogation techniques.”
Pelosi to CIA: “Please brief Rep. John Q. Scapegoat about waterboarding if you are using it, but I don’t want to know.”
2009:
Pelosi: “I was never briefed! How dare BushCo FRAME me!”
Kregg Reply:
May 14th, 2009 at 4:00 pm
Except that witnesses have corroborated that she was actually there.
TDro319 Reply:
May 14th, 2009 at 4:57 pm
So what’s the problem? Cheney already admitted he okayed torture.
I agree, IF Pelosi knew that was happening, she should have done something. On the other hand, if it was considered classified information, there’s not much she could have done.
I personally think Cheney told her about the torture so if the sh** hit the fan, he could say, “Well, Pelosi knew about it!! She’s responsible, too!”
Kregg Reply:
May 14th, 2009 at 5:02 pm
TD said: I personally think Cheney told her about the torture so if the sh** hit the fan, he could say, “Well, Pelosi knew about it!! She’s responsible, too!”
K: Which makes Cheney far smarter than Pelosi…. ;-)
placefield Reply:
May 14th, 2009 at 5:05 pm
I don’t think anybody has ever accused Cheney of being stupid. He may be alot of other things but he is not stupid.
TDro319 Reply:
May 14th, 2009 at 5:29 pm
K: “Which makes Cheney far smarter than Pelosi”
TD: I never said Cheney was stupid. As a matter of fact, he was exceptionally smart – he was able to get 4 VietNam deferments so he wouldn’t have to serve his country. That way, when he became VP, he can send YOUR kid off to die in an unnecessary war.
Kregg Reply:
May 14th, 2009 at 5:35 pm
TD said: As a matter of fact, he was exceptionally smart – he was able to get 4 VietNam deferments so he wouldn’t have to serve his country.
K: Deferments are no evidence of intelligence. Look at the thousands of Libs who ran to Canada to avoid service. Heck, all it took was a call to Frosty to ask where the nearest pub was over the border and how to get to it. In fact, a lot of them were so dumb they never came back… ;-)
TDro319 Reply:
May 14th, 2009 at 10:28 pm
” In fact, a lot of them were so dumb they never came back…”
Sooo people who avoided service during the Viet Nam war are stupid? Limbaugh (a deferment specialist himself) will be very unhappy to hear you say that about him. You’d better get down on your knees and kiss his golden ass so you may be forgiven =)
EricG Reply:
May 14th, 2009 at 6:20 pm
But what is this ’something’ she is supposed to have done?
Scream and whine and say ‘no, no, no’ in the briefing?
Foolish thinking.
She had a card to play, though. She could have done what good ol’ Newt did to Clinton. Right after that brief and even well before that.
Just an after-thought now … but I still hold Pelosi accountable for a very different set of ‘crimes.’
May 14th, 2009 at 3:54 pm
If Nancy Pelosi is believed to have contributed to or was an accomplice to torture then she should be investigated just as any other person. We can’t let criminals run free in America.
bobfrommadison Reply:
May 15th, 2009 at 3:56 pm
It appears that liberals got that way by being the recipients of a “swirlie”. Torture? Hardly. What we have is not a question of criminality, but of honesty.
You strike me as someone that would rather voyeuristically gaze at photos of American “torture” than at photos of a grease spot that used to be an American citizen just doing their job one day at the WTC…
May 14th, 2009 at 4:06 pm
Just looking at her makes me sick…what a dirty politician. Even with all of the reports that put her in the hot seat during those briefings, she still denies it? What could possibly be the silver lining she’s chasing here?
VegasLib Reply:
May 14th, 2009 at 4:27 pm
If looking at her makes you sick, then looking at Cheney, Rumsfeld, Bush, Rove, etc. should sicken you tenfold.
TDro319 Reply:
May 14th, 2009 at 4:58 pm
Wow! You’re calling Pelosi a dirty politician? Try looking at the republicans. They wrote the book on dirty politics (especially Karl “Turdblossom” Rove)
JaredfromTexas Reply:
May 14th, 2009 at 5:56 pm
WOW…you’re using “deflection” again to deter from the topic…how refreshing.
TDro319 Reply:
May 14th, 2009 at 10:30 pm
Well we’re just doing what you do on a daily basis on the blog, Jared. You should be happy. I heard imitation is the best form of flattery.
JaredfromTexas Reply:
May 14th, 2009 at 10:41 pm
TDRO,
I say the same things over an over? Even if they’re irrelevant to the topic, huh? Examples, please…
TDro319 Reply:
May 15th, 2009 at 9:15 am
“I say the same things over an over? Even if they’re irrelevant to the topic, huh? Examples, please…”
Give me a break! Regardless of the topic, you always come up with some reference to Clinton saying something like, “Oh yeah? What about Clinton? Huh? Huh?” You post comments like this ad nauseum.
Are you sure you don’t want to blame Pelosi’s statement on Clinton’s BJ?
JaredfromTexas Reply:
May 15th, 2009 at 3:57 pm
TDRO,
You’re an idiot…this is a topic on torture, correct? You liberals seem to think that Americas torture program started with Bush and the torture memos…and I have to constantly correct you and remind you that Clinton started it all.
That is an entirely relevant fact that liberals everywhere conveniently forget.
On what other topic have I invoked Clinton? (I’ll hold my breath while you try to find something)
Are you sure you don’t want to blame Pelosi’s statement on Clinton’s BJ?
That’s just plain dumb…
EricG Reply:
May 14th, 2009 at 6:17 pm
You ever consider those reports might be skewed by the previous admin to make everyone but them look guilty? Or did you ever consider that maybe the only move she had in reality was to try to take Bush out of office?
JaredfromTexas Reply:
May 14th, 2009 at 8:21 pm
ERIC,
What an enormous stretch. Everyone who has said Pelosi was present during those briefings is part of Bush’s evil plan to deflect attention from himself? Wow…you have what they would call an overactive imagination, my friend.
Have YOU considered the reports might be 100% dead on? As it stands, Pelosi has about 3-4 different stories floating around on what she knew/didn’t know…when she knew/didn’t know…and what she was briefed/wasn’t briefed.
Take your pick…
TDro319 Reply:
May 15th, 2009 at 9:16 am
And Jared should know. He speaks as if he has first hand knowledge of exactly what Pelosi knew.
JaredfromTexas Reply:
May 15th, 2009 at 3:48 pm
TDRO,
No, I don’t know what she knew or didn’t know…but considering there are people who were at those briefings…and said that Pelosi was there…gives me a pretty good idea that she knew.
The CIA has said she was there…that gives me a pretty good idea that she knew…
Normally, I’d give a person the benefit of the doubt…but not when it’s obvious she is lying to save her own arse (how else do you explain that awful press conference?)
May 14th, 2009 at 4:13 pm
I don’t trust Pelosi as far as my 4 year old can throw her. But that being said it does seem odd for some on the right to be calling her the accessory to a crime, but then deny that it is a crime. Why not just call her a lier and leave it at that.
Kregg Reply:
May 14th, 2009 at 4:21 pm
Place: But that being said it does seem odd for some on the right to be calling her the accessory to a crime, but then deny that it is a crime.
K: Place, I think they are saying that IF it is a crime – she’s just as guilty as those she accuses. I don’t think they are calling it a crime at all. I suspect this will all go away when it becomes commonly realized that both parties were involved in approving harsh interrogation techniques.
placefield Reply:
May 14th, 2009 at 4:30 pm
You are probably correct. Damn politicians. Can’t ever get them to actually hold each other accountable, because they are all dirty.
RDM Reply:
May 14th, 2009 at 4:34 pm
Never trust a lawyer, banker, or a politician.
Kregg Reply:
May 14th, 2009 at 4:42 pm
RDM said: Never trust a lawyer, banker, or a politician.
K: Unfortunately, a lawyer who is also a politician has just conspired with a bunch of bankers to rip us off to the tune of BILLIONS and no one seems to mind. Go figure…
EricG Reply:
May 14th, 2009 at 6:16 pm
“Never trust a lawyer, banker, or a politician.”
Never trust a Republican. Liars, all of them.
Kregg Reply:
May 14th, 2009 at 6:32 pm
The Eric said: Never trust a Republican. Liars, all of them.
TE, master of the generalization…
JaredfromTexas Reply:
May 14th, 2009 at 8:22 pm
little ERIC,
Never trust a Republican. Liars, all of them.
Hmmm…just a couple of Democrats come to mind: Clinton, Clinton, Geithner, Obama, Richardson, Jefferson, Rangel…
It seems as though lying in contagious in Washington…
EricG Reply:
May 15th, 2009 at 3:56 pm
Kregg & Jared -
You guys missed my point in saying that.
I wasn’t serious.
I was countering the point: “All politicians lie.”
That’s the Republican response that makes them the Masters of Generalization.
It’s so easy to wag the finger at the other side. It’s a little harder to actually address the issue.
I think the CIA is lying and Pelosi is telling the truth.
Big shock … you guys think she is lying and the CIA is telling the truth.
Saying “politicians lie” is a cop-out.
And on the topic of Lying Republicans.
The media is full of Pro-Republican voice who lied to the public about recent American History and Obama Policy Agendas and on and on.
Bill O’Reilly is on the list as is Sean Hannity.
I’ve been getting into watching Rachel Maddow’s show lately.
She changed the format (I know the cons won’t watch anyway) and it’s more informative and less sensational these days. Still think she is little annoying but her show is more grounded in facts and proof than Keith’s popular political gossip hour called Countdown.
JaredfromTexas Reply:
May 15th, 2009 at 4:00 pm
little ERIC,
I think the CIA is lying and Pelosi is telling the truth.
Your supporting facts?
Saying “politicians lie” is a cop-out.
Hmmm…so when you said “Never trust a Republican. Liars, all of them.”
That was a cop-out?
The media is full of Pro-Republican voice who lied to the public about recent American History and Obama Policy Agendas and on and on.
Examples?
Robert Blair Reply:
May 14th, 2009 at 8:40 pm
Jared, you inference is merely reinforcement of those who falsely accused each of those people with many many more lies than one could tell in a lifetime.
JaredfromTexas Reply:
May 15th, 2009 at 12:27 am
ROBERT,
Oh, really…I inferred they were liars, huh?
Pull your head outta the collective liberal arse and you’d realize that both parties lay claim to being liars, Robert…not just the republicans.
accused each of those people with many many more lies than one could tell in a lifetime.
Thank you for your concession they are liars, Robert. The amount they lied may be debatable…but they are all liars nonetheless.
Robert Blair Reply:
May 15th, 2009 at 2:31 am
Sure….show me a person who hasn’t spoken a lie, and I’ll see a person who has never spoken or used sign language. The point is, when some lie, the consequences of the lie are minor….when other people lie….people are tortured, killed, sent into danger, and harmed irrepairably. It is also amplified by the intent. Some lies are designed to avoid needless harm to others. Other lies are designed to expressly do harm……like to use a lie about where a person was born, or what religion someone has, or whether weapons of mass destruction are an immenent threat to the United States, or that America doesn’t torture.
So, were there lies?…yes. Were there other, more dangerous, harmful lies by others?……oh yeah…..we allege them to be war criminals.
JaredfromTexas Reply:
May 15th, 2009 at 5:51 am
ROBERT,
Hmmm…interesting anecdotal explanation…however, you forget all of the democrats who were all for approving the war in Iraq…many of them going on record stating that Iraq had WMDs prior to invasion.
How convenient for your argument, and for their political careers, there were no WMDs found.
EricG Reply:
May 15th, 2009 at 4:01 pm
Cop-out, Jared. When a Democrat lies you would call them evil and unethical but when a Republican lies you fall back on the ‘they all lie’ motto.
“How convenient for your argument, and for their political careers, there were no WMDs found”
???
How about the lives lost because Bush had to have his war? How about you explain to the mothers and fathers of the fallen that this war had to take place? You look them in the eye and explain why their child’s life is less valuable than a pile of weapons that we have plenty of ourselves.
JaredfromTexas Reply:
May 15th, 2009 at 4:05 pm
little ERIC,
I have never called a Dem evil and unethical. Stop putting words into my mouth…
…because Bush had to have his war?
Wait…Great Britain and Israel had to have the war too? Because they both had intel that Iraq had WMDs. I know you’d like to pin this one on Bush and Bush alone…THAT would be a cop-out. Not wanting to take responsibility for the democratic involvement in the war..THAT would be a cop-out.
May 14th, 2009 at 4:13 pm
I’m more bummed out about the National Institute of Health than Nancy Pelosi doing the rapid fire tap dance over waterboarding.
The NIH gave 2.6 million for a 5 year study for alcohol abuse of China Hookers. Just a couple of weeks ago they gave $400,000 to study Gay sex in Argentine bars.
Thats important to U. S. Taxpayers… How?
( I guess if you’re looking for a job, here’s one with travel and adventure)
Sarah Reply:
May 14th, 2009 at 4:41 pm
RDM– Both grants were made during the Bush administration, in the fall of 2008.
RDM Reply:
May 14th, 2009 at 4:47 pm
Well, so what. It sucks.
My mind is spinning in squircles trying to keep up with all the crooks.
Sarah Reply:
May 14th, 2009 at 4:56 pm
Good word, “squircles.” Think I’ll use it later.
I’d agree with you, the allocation of money for the study of foreign habits seems unreasonable in these regards.
I’m OK with volcano or earthquake research, or fruitfly poop in America’s ag industry, but I’m not much for these other research projects mentioned.
I hope the various departments like NIH don’t behave so stupidly during the Obama administration, but I’m not holding my breath.
flap Reply:
May 14th, 2009 at 5:33 pm
Some parts of the government…many parts of the government…are gonna do boneheaded stuff no matter the president.
Like NASA. Nothing against them, but don’t we dump WAY too much money into the space program?
JaredfromTexas Reply:
May 15th, 2009 at 12:35 am
SARAH
Both grants were made during the Bush administration, in the fall of 2008.
This is bullshit and you know it, SARAH! Bush has NOTHING to do with how private grants are spent.
Dr Raynord Kington…a staunch liberal…is the acting director and approved this grant as a means to “slow the spread of alcoholism and AIDs between chinese hookers”.
It may be that Dr Kington has a vested interest in chinese hookers? Anyone? Anyone?
flap Reply:
May 17th, 2009 at 5:23 am
Jared, I’m offended…we all have different tastes.
May 14th, 2009 at 4:31 pm
Torcher WORKED on John McCain he gave it up after day 2 ! [pity]. If they had waterboarded him he would have still been able to use his hands. [hum].? Wonder who’s all WET ?!
Lily Reply:
May 14th, 2009 at 5:47 pm
What? They lit him on fire?
JaredfromTexas Reply:
May 14th, 2009 at 5:55 pm
;)
EricG Reply:
May 14th, 2009 at 6:14 pm
You are a sick, sick man.
Rocky the Liberal Rottweiler Reply:
May 14th, 2009 at 6:35 pm
“You are a sick, sick man.”
He’s not responsible. He was educated in Texas.
Imyourhuckleberry Reply:
May 14th, 2009 at 6:55 pm
At least he’s educated which is unlike most here..
May 14th, 2009 at 4:44 pm
“And how do you suppose the Republicans would have responded if Pelosi had tried to impede Bush? (which is something they now condemn her for NOT doing).”
Well, I tried to tell her to do just that years ago.
I still think she should have fallen on her political sword and tried in impeach Bush.
And I tend to believe her in her statements on this.
The Bush administration wanted torture done and nothing sort of a impeachment hearing was going to slow down the works.
May 14th, 2009 at 6:14 pm
There is a difference between ‘We MAY use extreme interogation methods’ and ‘We ARE using exteme methods’.
I just hope that the distraction tactics the Republicans are using don’t work.
If the breifing memo/notes are released, we’ll see which pot is calling the kettle black.
May 14th, 2009 at 6:24 pm
[...] Did the CIA mislead House Speaker Nancy Pelosi? Alan weighs the [...]
May 14th, 2009 at 6:27 pm
How fun….the radical right has flogged this dead horse for all it’s worth…and it’s worth nothing. It is a wonderful red herring to play with while the real issue remains there for all to see…..Did Cheney break the law…hell yes….Did Bush authorize torture…hell yes…..is torture against all the principles that make America great…hell yes…….So, should we prosecute Bush, Cheney, and/or anyone who was directly responsible for America torturing people….Well, it’s our duty as a result of treaty and to ourselves. We are a nation of laws, not people who want to bypass them because it’s “important”.
JaredfromTexas Reply:
May 14th, 2009 at 7:19 pm
Robert,
You forgot to point your finger at Bill Clinton…he being the mastermind behind rendition…an direct advocation of torture.
Robert Blair Reply:
May 14th, 2009 at 8:37 pm
Nice try…it is a wonderful opportunity to point out faults of others to justify the illegal acts of those in the stock. You can leave Bill alone, since you tried your best to fry his tail for many things that never yielded the result you sought. Now, you attempt to raise yet another ghost for battle…and my reply…go ahead…charge him and prove that he approved of torture…that he ordered the torture…that he believed he had the right to torture…..if you can. If not, well, then he just might be innocent…if you can, we are a nation of laws…and he should face his justice…just as Rumsfield and the others today.
JaredfromTexas Reply:
May 15th, 2009 at 5:46 am
ROBERT,
Nice try, yourself, my liberal friend. This was your statement:
So, should we prosecute Bush, Cheney, and/or anyone who was directly responsible for America torturing people
I just reminded you that Clinton started the US torture program by creating “rendition”.
Another thing…I didn’t try to “fry his tail” for anything.
Another “ghost”???? His advocation of torture isn’t pertinent in the bigger discussion on torture how? Because you say so?
“guffaw!”
prove that he approved of torture…that he ordered the torture…that he believed he had the right to torture
Bill Clinton, in 2006, commenting on a situation involving a terrorist that WE KNOW has information regarding an imminent attack on US or US interests:
“Don’t we have the right and the responsibility to beat it out of him?”
If this statement, coupled with the creation…THE CREATION…of the rendition program (you know the one where we transport terror suspects to foreign countries WE KNOW used torture tactics), doesn’t prove that he approved of torture…then I don’t know what else would. It’s crystal “f-ing” clear to me.
String him up with the others…
May 14th, 2009 at 6:32 pm
Yeah, Bush the Second authorized torture, and he told Nancy Pelosi about it, so it’s all her fault.
Time for a special prosecutor.
In fact it’s long past time for a total witch hunt the equal of everything the rightwing republican radicals did in trying to railroad Bill Clinton out of office.
May 14th, 2009 at 6:37 pm
It’s funny how Pelosi didn’t know anything about EIT but the other 28 Congressmen/women who were briefed have another story.
Pelosi has now come up with what, 4 or 5 different stories now? She just keeps digging that hole. She is going to bury herself. I say, let her keep digging.
May 14th, 2009 at 7:07 pm
Boy… talk about liars and backpeddlers! She should be thrown under the bus with the other idiot the bumbling VP that makes sh$t up and expects us to believe it! I want her gone and gone now!
I have been waterboarded! It was part of my training. Yes it’s uncomfortable, but you give me any human and mustard and I’ll get an answer! Its the same misguided spin that everyone puts on “AK 47s” and gun fear.. when in fact I can show you hundreds of other guns that are as deadly and in fact my weapon of choice. You guys are rich! Again.. I ask any of you. If your son, daughter, mother, father, or just friend was being held or tortured themselves.. you would use any means necessary to glean information that would bring them home safe and sound! You would! If you didn’t.. it would be cowardice on your part. And, if you won’t do it for my son, daughter, Mom or Dad… you just don’t care! I don’t want you on that wall and I certainly don’t need you on that wall and thank God that Dick Cheney has the gonnads to accept the responsibility of learning information. And.. if you do your homework on harsh interrogation.. you will see that they DO produce significant and substative information. John McCain proves that point… and while I feel sorry for the man.. he paid the price and so it goes even tho I am NOT a McCain fan either.
The contention that the CIA is playing games and framing her is ludicrous. If you know all the facts.. do your homework… you will find out that it’s impossible to defend. This is spin and deny at it’s most.
Hmmm.. Nancy.. the CIA (now under Obamy’s control says that waterboarding doesn’t work (which we know does.. because we have emperical proof of.. and they won’t release the OTHER documents that show this.. and even the now director admitted just last month did produce information!).. yet the CIA lied to you and fooled you when it was under Bush’s auspices (basically the same group notwithstanding the new leader). How convenient.
Having said all that.. this is my last post. I find that since I have a real job and can only visit a few times a week at most… and find only those that are. .. any and all hours.. most (not all)have nothing else to do but come here and espouse hatred and BS (mostly BS). This is the same problem Alan’s radio program has as well. Lot’s of the same people.. saying the same thing.. no real discusion or honest debate. I do listen to Alan on occasion because he says something that makes sense to me.. an independent voter (I have voted for Democrat President, Senator, etc.. ) and am the perfect target for “swing” voter rancor. But, I see thru the smoke and mirrors.. well see how it all works out. While I would like for Obamy to succeed at all this…I do NOT Have any confidence that he will. Throwing money at all this and taxing spending is just not the answer.
Well.. it’s been unreal.. gotta go.. lot’s of work to do .. hopefully to create a few jobs for others!
OldLefty Reply:
May 14th, 2009 at 7:23 pm
For any of the pre election people…
Is this Bruno??
Daddio Reply:
May 14th, 2009 at 7:37 pm
Good luck Huckleberry. You’re ok in my book.
Kregg Reply:
May 14th, 2009 at 8:22 pm
Well said, Huckleberry… ;-)
GuidoVanHorn Reply:
May 15th, 2009 at 2:47 am
irregardless of if they work, there are some things that as a country we simply shouldn’t do. torture being one of them, and yes waterboarding is torture.
May 14th, 2009 at 7:17 pm
I agree Robert Blair lets prosecute everyone even those who enabled the policy to be carried out. Lets not make it a partisan witch hunt.
But lets not forgot the context of the times. 3000 innocent Americans had been killed. Anthrax attacks were being carried out up and down the east coast. 7-8 years removed it is easy to seat back in our easy chairs and second guess the tough decisions that our leaders made to keep us safe. Of course, at the time our leaders, including the Dems, didn’t enjoy the luxury of hind sight as we do today.
Had there been another attack we would forever blame Bush and criticize him for not doing more. That is the situation that Obama now finds himself in; if another attack occurs on American soil under his watch people will forever wonder why he didn’t do more.
OldLefty Reply:
May 14th, 2009 at 7:57 pm
But it has ccome out that it was not gaining information that was the reason, but getting people to say there was a connection between Iraq and 9/11.
But it has come out that it was not gaining information that was the reason, but getting people to say there was a connection between Iraq and 9/11.
The techniques they used were from a Communist Chinese manual to illicit false confessions.
But EVERYBODY who is guilty should go.
Robert Blair Reply:
May 14th, 2009 at 8:44 pm
No context of time to be considered….Laws are there regardless of the time. We do not comply with laws when it is convenient, or easy. We are tested to our principles when the times are not easy….
To not stand by the spirit and letter of the laws that are the backbone of our country, is to take up the phrase of Nixon when he stated that when the president orders it, it is legal. That perversity was renewed in the congressional hearing yesterday when Lindsey Grahm paraphrased that the times made laws inconvenient……no principles.
May 14th, 2009 at 7:46 pm
[...] Nancy Pelosi is not alone in claiming that the CIA misled lawmakers. [...]
May 14th, 2009 at 9:15 pm
Alan, as you defended Pelosi and Democrats, describing them as merely being in the minority, you forget that Pelosi would have gone to jail if she divulged those classified briefings, lies or not. The briefings were secret and there was plenty of talk back then by dissenters about going to jail if they spoke. I wish I could remember who said that in particular. Even now, Pelosi asks to have the information officially declassified. She’s not giving details.
May 15th, 2009 at 3:42 am
Pelosi said she was told about waterboarding but that it wasn’t going to be used. So if Alan Colmes children said they have a big bottle of Oxycontin but they weren’t going to use it would Alan let them keep it?
Daddio Reply:
May 15th, 2009 at 8:22 am
Great analogy YBNVS.
TDro319 Reply:
May 15th, 2009 at 1:47 pm
So if Pelosi was given classified information and she leaked it, she can go to jail for treason.
It seems to me you cons are never happy. You seem to think that just because Pelosi was briefed on “enhanced interrogation”, it’s her fault Cheney authorized it. I suppose you are suggesting Cheney can’t think for himself and therefore the other party must be to blame for everything.
Kregg Reply:
May 15th, 2009 at 1:58 pm
TD said: It seems to me you cons are never happy. You seem to think that just because Pelosi was briefed on “enhanced interrogation”, it’s her fault Cheney authorized it.
K: Not at all. It’s her fault if she knew about it at the time it was happening, agreed with it at the time, but now finds it politically expedient to deny she did either. She had several avenues of recourse upon learning of a technique she opposed or thought illegal – and did nothing about it. In fact, it appears that she supported what the CIA was doing.
May 15th, 2009 at 8:12 am
A year ago,going into their Aug.break,Americans were paying almost $ 5.00 at the pump.She turned out the lights & went on vacation,Good luck Nancy.
May 15th, 2009 at 10:57 am
What kind of cheese do you think Pelosi would like to go with all her whin(ing)?
May 15th, 2009 at 2:51 pm
Win a prize!!!
1) Why would the Central Intelligence Agency lie about using enhanced interrogation techniques after explaining them and their legality to both the ranking members of the Senate and House Intelligence committees?
2) What would the CIA gain by lying?
3) Moreover, would could the CIA lose by lying?
Please put down the Kool~Aid prior to responding…
May 15th, 2009 at 3:41 pm
ALAN,
So quick to point the finger at Bush…
Nancy Pelosi faced the cameras Thursday morning and said she was misled by the Bush administration
She said the CIA misled her…not the Bush administration…there is a difference…I’d be happy to explain it to you…dummy
May 15th, 2009 at 4:16 pm