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15 Jun 2009 18:12

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Politics, U.S.: Dick Cheney rebuffs criticism from CIA leader Leon Panetta

  • I hope my old friend Leon was misquoted. The important
    thing is whether the Obama administration will continue the policies that have kept us safe for the past eight years.
  • Former Vice President Dick Cheney • On CIA head Leon Panetta’s calling out of Cheney for apparent questionable motives in his sudden re-emergence into the public eye. We want to see which of these old guys would win in a no-holds-barred cage match. We’re guessing Cheney because he would probably start biting first. By the way, John McCain has Cheney’s back in this case. • source

15 Jun 2009 10:35

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Politics, U.S.: The CIA’s Leon Panetta: What’s up with Dick Cheney’s motives?

  • When you read behind it, it’s almost as if he’s wishing that this country would be attacked again, in order to make his point. I think that’s dangerous politics.
  • CIA Director Leon Panetta • Criticizing former Vice President Dick Cheney for his approach to politics. In other news, Panetta fired Mitchell Jessen & Associates, the psychologist-led firm that suggested they start using the harsh interrogation techniques Cheney supports. • source

14 May 2009 21:13

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U.S.: Nancy Pelosi: I knew about waterboarding, but they lied to Congress

  • 2003 The House Speaker is informed of harsh interrogation techniques by the C.I.A., including the use of waterboarding, the cruelest form of punishment ever.
  • 2009 Pelosi, on the hot seat about what she knew, admits this much but says they were dishonest about the extent of the interrogation methods to Congress. Hm. source

20 Apr 2009 10:45

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U.S., World: For those who don’t think waterboarding is torture, explain this

19 Apr 2009 11:13

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U.S., World: Did Obama break international law on torture? A UN guy says yes.

  • They are party to the convention and the convention is very, very clear. The fact that you carried out an order doesn’t relieve you of your responsibility.
  • Manfred Nowak • The UN’s Special Rapporteur on torture, on whether, by not prosecuting CIA operatives accused of torture under the Bush administration, Obama is violating an international agreement to do just that. Oh boy. • source

16 Apr 2009 20:28

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U.S.: Obama administration: The CIA was bad, but we won’t punish them

  • The decision The Obama administration chose not to prosecute CIA officials who admitted to harsh interrogation tactics against terror suspects during the Bush administration, a controversial decision but one the Obama administration is standing behind.
  • The gory details The tactics used – and more importantly, signed off on – during the Bush administration include slamming detainees against walls, waterboarding (which is not as fun as the name suggests) and leaving suspects naked in cold rooms for long periods.
  • Critics rebuffedObama, while understanding the concerns of human rights organizations and critical of the interrogation methods, nevertheless defended the decision. “Nothing will be gained by spending our time and energy laying blame for the past,” he said. source