Rice approved waterboarding
posted at 10:54 am on April 23, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
As more documents come out about enhanced interrogations, we are getting a clearer picture of the steps taken to implement them. One surprising revelation came yesterday, when the declassification of Senate Intelligence Committee documents showed former National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice in the command chain for approval. It puts the decision even further in the White House, joining then-Attorney General John Ashcroft and then-White House counsel Alberto Gonzales (via Baldilocks):
Then-national security adviser Condoleezza Rice verbally OK’d the CIA’s request to subject alleged al-Qaida terrorist Abu Zubaydah to waterboarding in July 2002, a decision memorialized a few days later in a secret memo that the Obama administration declassified last week.
Rice’s role was detailed in a narrative released Wednesday by the Senate Intelligence Committee. It provides the most detailed timeline yet for how the CIA’s harsh interrogation program was conceived and approved at the highest levels in the Bush White House.
The new timeline shows that Rice played a greater role than she admitted last fall in written testimony to the Senate Armed Services Committee.
Rice may not have occupied an organizationally higher spot in the White House than Ashcroft or Gonzales, but she’s been known as one of George Bush’s closest advisers ever since he took office. If one was tempted to make a compartmentalization defense for Bush in case of a prosecution, having Rice in the loop giving her blessing would make that more difficult. It seems very unlikely that she would have given her approval without at least briefing Bush.
However, that’s really a moot point. Dick Cheney has all but burst into song with his defense of these interrogations, and a VP has no authority other than that which a President explicitly gives him. If Cheney was in the loop, and McClatchy reports that Cheney signed off as well, then obviously Bush was as well. Cheney hasn’t been shy about it since the revelations in 2005 about waterboarding.
Rice’s involvement is more a historical footnote than a scandal explosion, but it’s an interesting historical footnote nonetheless. She has been reticent to get involved in politics since leaving the State Department at the end of the Bush administration. I suspect she’ll have to get back into the game to defend herself and the interrogations, even if she does it reluctantly.










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Yeah, I read this about 1-2 years ago.
Interesting that the piece doesn’t say when these sources disclosed this information.
Recycling old stuff.
SteveMG on April 23, 2009 at 4:07 PM
+1
SlimyBill on April 23, 2009 at 4:24 PM
Absolutely brilliant.
gwelf on April 23, 2009 at 4:44 PM
Yes, but that is not what this discussion has turned into.
The discussion now is the application of these harsh techniques to terrorists where they was no imminent or near-imminent threat of an attack.
Reading the International Red Cross Report (yes, sceptically) along with the memos and other news reports, it’s my view that what started out as well-intentioned techniques designed to be used against high value terrorists to prevent or learn about impending attacks was systematized and used not just to stop an imminent attack but to gather general information about AQ.
The panick – a legitimate panick – about a subsequent attack to 9/11 turned into a codified and regimented procedure of harsh techniques that went beyond what it was originally designed for.
Men and women of good intentions lost control of the matter.
The problem is that the left doesn’t understand the moral and legal complexity of the issue. They want blood.
So instead of soberly and carefully learning about what happened, the left wants a bloodfest.
President Obama simply cannot allow this to happen. The country will be ripped apart, we’ll learn nothing and the problem (as I see it) will emerge again.
SteveMG on April 23, 2009 at 4:53 PM
“GOP News” (Fox) broke the story of Dubyah’s drunk driving arrest days before the 2000 election. They could have covered it up, but did not.
“Democrat News” (Newsweak) had a story of a Democrat President engaging in a sexual relationship with a workplace subordinate, and refused to run it.
“Democrat News” (CNN) falsely accused the US of nerve-gassing civilians in Laos and murdering jourrnalists in Iraq, and gave Saddam Hussein and his family gifts so he would let them keep their Baghdad bureau open.
And “Democrat News” totally ignored last year’s John Edwards story, solely because of his political affiliation.
Del Dolemonte on April 23, 2009 at 5:11 PM
So now that it is very clear these instructions came from the very top, why did they blame “bad apple” grunts like Army *reservist* Charles Graner?
He was sentenced to 10 years in Leavenworth.
How did the Bush administration allow that to happen? Why is he still in prison?
He and other “little people” were made scapegoats.
Apparently the law does not apply equally to all.
Freelunch on April 23, 2009 at 5:24 PM
Graner received no instructions from superiors to committ his acts.
And the acts they did weren’t waterboarding or slapping. They were disgusting and nowhere can you cite any authorization by any superior that it was okay to do.
You know this so why did you post your question?
SteveMG on April 23, 2009 at 5:29 PM
I see others note this is not “new news” nor does it warrant the tinge of hysteria about how Bush might be prosecutable.
Anyone can see the Dems want to prosecute him for something—anything—so that isn’t the issue. It’s how WE respond and this handwringing “maybe they have a point” is less than helpful (I could be more harsh is what I think of such stance but will exercise restraint at this moment).
Please, for all that is good and right, please stand up for George W. Bush and Dick Cheney when they are under this unholy assault and quit granting the witchhunters undeserved deference.
KittyLowrey on April 23, 2009 at 5:40 PM
Good for her. It’s one of the few things she did I agree with!
GFW on April 23, 2009 at 5:49 PM
Uh, you’re mixing up your stories. Graner was not an interrogator and, along with others serving with him, indeed broke the law and was tried for doing so.
KittyLowrey on April 23, 2009 at 5:50 PM
I am against waterboarding. It does not shock my conscience in regard to the 9/11 ringleaders, but it is not something we should be doing. Whether it works or not is a pretty weak argument either way. I doubt there is evidence it is overwelmingly effective, nor to I think it never works. I just do not think it is worth it.
And here are two guys who should know:
Michael Yon
and
Stewart Herrington, Lt.Col.(Ret)
I could add General Petraeus too. But most of you know that already.
Mr. Joe on April 23, 2009 at 5:56 PM
How many people really care about this?
Terrye on April 23, 2009 at 6:27 PM
Of course Bush authorized this. Who cares. It was the right decision. If Obama releases all the documents, that will be clear as day. For that reason, Obama will not, and will also not take any of this to court because that would open up for discovery. Discovery, a process which tends to bring forth information that one might want to kept sealed away in a bunker somewhere…
Seixon on April 23, 2009 at 6:29 PM
Enough with the proselytizing. I was only responding to someone who thanked God that Condie and Cheney and who knows else ordered torture, as if God is proud of that. Sheesh.
Drum on April 23, 2009 at 6:30 PM
Outlander on April 23, 2009 at 12:46 PM
Drum on April 23, 2009 at 6:33 PM
DR. RICE IF MY FAMILY WAS HELD HOSTAGE AND THE CIA HAD ONE OF THE TERRORIST I WOULD BE DELIGHTED IF THEY HAD TO BEAT HIM HALF TO DEATH REMEMBER LIBERALS THEY BEHEADED ARE PEOPLE SO BEAT THEM TILL THEY TALK.AND YES I THANK GOD YOU AND VICE PRESIDENT CHANEY WERE FOR IT.AS FOR YOU ROTTEN LIBERALS WHY DON’T YOU JUST SEND UP THE WHITE FLAG NOW.IF YOU JERKS HAD BEEN AROUND IN 1492 WE WOULD STILL BE ARGUING ABOUT WHY WE SHOULD NOT GO TO THE NEW WORLD
wade underhile on April 23, 2009 at 7:08 PM
Check the paper work. I believe I am also on the list approving the enhanced interrogation techniques. Anybody else what to sign on with me.
JAW on April 23, 2009 at 7:34 PM
If you’re going to use all capitals, at least do us the favor of being literate. AS IT STANDS, YOUR POST IS TORTURE.
Drum on April 23, 2009 at 7:58 PM
She lied.
getalife on April 23, 2009 at 8:05 PM
Thank God……….
……… and THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!
Seven Percent Solution on April 23, 2009 at 8:38 PM
Not feeding trolls is sooooooooooooo much fun……..
Seven Percent Solution on April 23, 2009 at 8:39 PM
Check the paper work. I believe I am also on the list approving the enhanced interrogation techniques. Anybody else what to sign on with me.
JAW on April 23, 2009 at 7:34 PM
I will be very disappointed if my name does not appear next to yours.
John D on April 23, 2009 at 9:11 PM
The One can release all of the classified memos he wants, I can’t wait till 2012, when a Republican President will return the favor, and you thought his lips were purple now…
M-14 2go on April 23, 2009 at 9:33 PM
There must be some really disciplined people doing these interrogations.
I would have had their heads down in a trough and given them the treatment Alex got at the hands of Dim and Georgie Boy in A Clockwork Orange.
Dr. ZhivBlago on April 23, 2009 at 9:54 PM
Dam# that was sharp and right on the money!!!
Baxter Greene on April 23, 2009 at 10:00 PM
I am happy to know that Condoleeza Rice approved the water boarding. She is one gutsy woman! What is there for her to defend? She has no moral values? On the other hand Obama has great moral value for purchasing a home at a great discount.
Birdseye on April 23, 2009 at 10:11 PM
Your Welcome.
Baxter Greene on April 23, 2009 at 10:18 PM
That’s hawt.
smellthecoffee on April 23, 2009 at 10:18 PM
I believe waterboarding should be safe, legal, and rare.
Admit it. It makes a lot more sense saying that about waterboarding than about abortion.
ThereGoesTheNeighborhood on April 23, 2009 at 10:25 PM
Pouring a little water over someone’s head ain’t torture. And so what if it is? It worked and kept us safe.
It’s pretty easy to play armchair quarterback 8 years after the fact.
pullingmyhairout on April 23, 2009 at 11:27 PM
“Treat them with humanity, and let them have no reason to complain of our copying the brutal example of the British Army in their treatment of our unfortunate brethren.” –
General George Washington
Why do you hate America?
Mal Carne on April 23, 2009 at 11:35 PM
GETALIFE still has no alternative to waterboarding does she? I am willing to bet as previously stated she approves of late term abortions and even those who are actually born and then killed in order to assure the mother of her choice. She sees no evil here because she probably thinks she is above sin.
garydt on April 23, 2009 at 11:36 PM
Hydro-enhanced Q&A.
Sounds much more benign.
coldwarrior on April 24, 2009 at 12:01 AM
All I can say to Condi is THANK YOU!
nelsonknows on April 24, 2009 at 12:29 AM
This headline reads as if waterboarding terrorists is a bad thing
Fed45 on April 24, 2009 at 2:04 AM
I agree 100%. What a well stated, logical line of reasoning.
Btw, Liz Cheney pwnd MSNBC’s Norah O’Donnell on this issue today. Great video. Liz Cheney rocks! (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/30374059#30374059)
sarahpalinfan99 on April 24, 2009 at 6:45 AM
This is why the loonies on the left make no sense. Some of them serve on the comittees that are made ware of these things. They take the American people for mindless fools who think the President actually does everything himself. We know better. The predident signs off on the budget. Do you think he read the whole thing? The president signs every bill passed by congress do you think her read every line in each one? Well thats what congress wants you to believe if they think it is unpopular. that is unless its popular and it is working then they are first in line to take credit all of them even the ones who voted against it.
We the American people even the democrats among us know better. The difference is the republicans admit knowing. The democrats pretend they never knew, don’t know now, and never will know. Just ask Nancy Pelosi about waterboarding and you’ll see what I mean. I haven’t heard lies like that since Nixon told us he was not a crook. It crosses partie lines when the other party is in power. They are both guilty of deception of the American people.
kanda on April 24, 2009 at 7:06 AM
You deserve Kudo’s for asking this question. It is the most intelligent post in this thread.
Not only do I not care if Ms Rice signed off on this verbally or otherwise. I would have expected she would have as Secretary of State. I also expect somewhere GWB signed off on this as I hope he would have as President. If he didn’t know about it then indeed it may be against the law for those who did the waterboarding. The President and probably no one else in government has the authority to approve this. If someone went beyond their authority and then hid it from the president they are at fault.
As Americans we don’t beleive in torture. Whether waterboarding is torture or not I have mixed feelings. These Al Qaida terrorists are so evel and cruel in how they carry out their terror I am tempted to go down to their level and treat them in kind. I’m certain though the people who acted under the authority they had did not commit any crime.
kanda on April 24, 2009 at 7:21 AM
yep. And 3000 souls from the destroyed Trade Towers are saying ‘thank you’.
johnnyU on April 24, 2009 at 7:31 AM
Having dished Condi Rice a fair share of criticism during Bush’s presidency, I gladly support her professional performance of duties.
GET PAST THE FLACK.
Obama’s “new day” is horrible.
Prosecute Obama.
Daniel Wagner, AP Business Writer
‘Stress test’ methodology could roil bank industry
UNWITTINGLY ha!
OBAMA MADE THE US SOCIALIST NATION
Obama released documents and photos specifically to empower Islamofascists and to disembowel our national security.
His abuse of federal powers to direct cyberintel to spy on rule of law abiding American citizens, setting frame ups via whole cloth fabrications in order to deplete political opposition, all aligns with his overt fueling of anti-American terrorism. Obama not only knows his strategy and tactics, but is federally funding the training of all citizens to think as he thinks or suffer abuse at his hands. BHO was always an abusive user; his behavior from the Oval Office is deplorable, degenerative, and unconstitutional.
IMPEACH OBAMA
maverick muse on April 24, 2009 at 9:17 AM
Pelosi et.al. have proven their own mental incompetence to serve in office.
maverick muse on April 24, 2009 at 9:21 AM
I support waterboarding congress, not for information, but just for the hell of it.
gbear on April 24, 2009 at 10:16 AM
Tennman approved waterboarding
Tennman on April 24, 2009 at 10:54 AM
Who is She?
Yes grasshopper, Pelosi lied, Biden lied, Obama lied.
Clinton, Female (?) lies and is on record as lying.
So Punk, What is your point?
old trooper2 on April 24, 2009 at 1:41 PM
So what if Condi Rice approved of “water-boarding”? I approve of the CIA using it also…so what???
You don’t fight, and win wars, with brutal enemies, with one hand tied behind your back folks. To me, this a non-issue!
byteshredder on April 24, 2009 at 2:35 PM
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