Vice President Dick Cheney, in another stunning admission during his campaign to burnish the Bush administration’s legacy, said he personally authorized the “enhanced interrogations” of 33 suspected terrorist detainees and approved the waterboarding of three so-called “high-value” prisoners. Full Story »
Posted by Dwight Rousu
On the positive side this story recounts some of Cheney's comments to the Washington Times concerning "enhanced interrogation" that he authorized. However, if this were the only story on the subject that I had read, I would not be convinced that Cheney had done anything wrong. The author starts with the assumption that Cheney's actions were wrong and quotes only authorities that one would expect to believe that Cheney was wrong. In my opinion, this isn't the type of journalism that adds much.
Based on what I have read -- and my own moral judgement -- I believe that the U.S. did intentionally authorize and apply torture and is subject not only to criticism, but likely to legal action. as well. I believe that defending what was done compounds the misdeed. However, articles that parrot what I have personally concluded and provide simple quotes from like minded individuals do nothing to strengthen my views or to convince skeptics.
A good overview of the current state of affairs with regard to Dick Cheney's admission that he authorized waterboarding and other "enhanced interrogation" techniques. As one commentator noted, "It is no longer a question whether or not war crimes were committed; the only question is whether or not the responsible parties will be held accountable."
This is an important story...covered extensively on Salon by Glenn Greenwald----it greatest value is keeping the story in the news, where public opinion may wake up the congress or the corporate media......
All the information in this article has been publicised peacemeal here and there but it is most valuable to have it arranged clearly in one article. Such summary aticles are very necessary in journalism
It is sad that Cheney hasn't the moral framework to realize that torture is wrong. It is much sader still that he hasn't the intelligence or over view of the world to realize that it is counter productive
It needs to be reported. I think it would be reasonable to look behind Chency's actions for a motive.
The only thing lacking is the motive behind Cheney's admission, even bragging about his guilt. What do you want to bet that Bush pardons him on the basis that "he obviously believed that what he did was necessary." His admission makes it easy for Bush to pardon him.
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