Stupid: Pelosi didn’t object to waterboarding in order to respect “appropriate” channels
posted at 9:06 pm on May 11, 2009 by Allahpundit
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Please, make it stop. I can handle lying, but I can’t handle bad lying. At least not this much of it.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi learned in early 2003 that the Bush administration was waterboarding terror detainees but didn’t protest directly out of respect for “appropriate” legislative channels, a confidant of the San Francisco Democrat said Monday…
[T]here’s no dispute that on Feb. 4, 2003 — five months after Pelosi’s September meeting — CIA officials briefed Pelosi aide Michael Sheehy and Rep. Jane Harman (D-Calif.), then the ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee, on the specific techniques that had been used on Zubaydah — including waterboarding.
Harman was so alarmed by what she had heard, she drafted a short letter to the CIA’s general counsel to express “profound” concerns with the tactic — going so far as to ask if waterboarding had been personally “approved by the president.”
According to the Pelosi confidant, Sheehy told Pelosi about the briefing — and later informed Pelosi, the newly elected minority leader, that Harman was drafting a protest letter. Pelosi told Sheehy to tell Harman that she agreed with the letter, the Pelosi insider said. But she did not ask to be listed as a signatory on the letter, the source said, and there is no reference to her in it…
“She felt that the appropriate response was the letter from Harman, because Jane was the one who was briefed,” said the person. Pelosi “never got briefed on it personally, and when Harman got a ‘no response’ from the CIA, there was nothing more that could be done.”
Other possible “appropriate responses,” right off the top of my head: (1) Pelosi could have demanded to be briefed personally to learn more about this alarming new development; (2) Pelosi could have written her own letter; (3) Pelosi could have co-signed Harman’s letter; (4) Pelosi could have demanded a CIA response to Harman’s letter; (5) Pelosi could have pressured the GOP leadership to inquire further; (6) Pelosi could have leaked the details about waterboarding to the press, which wouldn’t have been “appropriate” per se but would at least have signaled the depth of her alleged concern. Instead, she let it lie. How come, Madam Speaker?
Update: Has anyone asked yet why, if “torture” was such an epochal issue, Pelosi was sending staffers to CIA briefings in her place instead of going herself? What urgent business of state prevented her from carving out a bit of time to find out how apocalyptic jihadists were being treated by the country’s chief intelligence agency?
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And this suprises….
Who?
Turtler on May 11, 2009 at 9:07 PM
The Adults are in charge now. Of the insane assylum.
William Amos on May 11, 2009 at 9:08 PM
ah yes, “not my problem” works when your hyperbole is claiming moral parity of the action with Dachau donks….
“logic for the winz”
sven10077 on May 11, 2009 at 9:08 PM
San Fran Nan has no moral or ethics, she therefore is a) a perfect democrat and b) cannot be held accountable for lying.
doriangrey on May 11, 2009 at 9:08 PM
How many swings does she get at this ball?
Cindy Munford on May 11, 2009 at 9:08 PM
I agree, Allah. Although what I can’t handle is the pictures.
Emily M. on May 11, 2009 at 9:08 PM
someone get her under oath already so we can impeach her for perjury
Chiasmos on May 11, 2009 at 9:09 PM
She needs to go.
deidre on May 11, 2009 at 9:10 PM
Is “appropriate” channels what Pelosi used durign her Shuttle Diplomacy with Isreal and Sryia a few years ago?
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,264334,00.html
ordi on May 11, 2009 at 9:10 PM
I’m going to say it. She’s a ___t.
SouthernGent on May 11, 2009 at 9:11 PM
She should enjoy this last year as Speaker…we’re coming for your Congress, Nan.
ZJPolitical on May 11, 2009 at 9:11 PM
Dude, I so want what ever it is you are smoking, cause you just can’t impeach a democrat for lying….
doriangrey on May 11, 2009 at 9:11 PM
Didn’t count, she had her fingers crossed.
fogw on May 11, 2009 at 9:12 PM
Aaaah yes, just “Nancy being Nancy”…
Fuzzlenutter on May 11, 2009 at 9:12 PM
it’d be like asking Teddy K to regret his deep diving skills….
sven10077 on May 11, 2009 at 9:13 PM
By all means…………
………. let the hearings begin and bring out the Bible.
Seven Percent Solution on May 11, 2009 at 9:14 PM
Or asking Bill Clinton to only sleep with his wife… ;O
doriangrey on May 11, 2009 at 9:16 PM
Nancy herself should do the interrogating of the Gitmo detainees. Just toss her in the cell with them one at a time. They will respect her moral authority as a grandmother and a democrat.
daesleeper on May 11, 2009 at 9:16 PM
Maybe,Pelosi is trying to appease the el Code Pinko
Anti-War Moonbats,and doesn’t want them camping out
in her front yard again!!
canopfor on May 11, 2009 at 9:16 PM
Does Twit fill in your blanks???
ArkCon on May 11, 2009 at 9:17 PM
This White House and Congress are about nothing but BAD LYING. That’s all they do. It’s offends the intellect.
Of course, the fact that they are America-hating traitors is far more offensive. But the transparent lies still irk.
progressoverpeace on May 11, 2009 at 9:17 PM
Are you sure that you need that colon?
Oldnuke on May 11, 2009 at 9:17 PM
No, that would be actual torture, even terrorists shouldn’t be exposed to that prospect….
doriangrey on May 11, 2009 at 9:17 PM
You truly are a gent. A slob like me would have at least put the C in.
Jaibones on May 11, 2009 at 9:17 PM
I don’t do Twitter yet. It’s a foreign concept to me.
SouthernGent on May 11, 2009 at 9:19 PM
Ted Kennedy is more guilty of waterboarding in 1970 than Dick Cheney is now.
William Amos on May 11, 2009 at 9:19 PM
Why? Last time she go a years free toilet paper out of the deal…
doriangrey on May 11, 2009 at 9:19 PM
That’s only half a roll for Cheryl Crow. Green Power!
progressoverpeace on May 11, 2009 at 9:21 PM
The Plastic Speaker of the House Strikes again.
blatantblue on May 11, 2009 at 9:21 PM
If Reid loses his seat and Pelosi loses her gavel, I could possibly stomach the last two years of this administration.
sherry on May 11, 2009 at 9:22 PM
Pelosi’s bug-eyes give me nightmares.
progressoverpeace on May 11, 2009 at 9:22 PM
I know what you mean but yes we can.
Oldnuke on May 11, 2009 at 9:22 PM
I hear that she has been asked to be the first to be sworn in and testify…………..
…………… and that has stopped this “witch hunt” of the Bush Administration in it’s tracks.
They found her……..
Seven Percent Solution on May 11, 2009 at 9:22 PM
BadgerHawk on May 11, 2009 at 9:23 PM
She saw nothing. She heard nothing. She knows nothing. She was not there. She did not even get up on any of the days when they gave all those briefings on whatever it was that they gave them on.
OberfeldwebelSchultz on May 11, 2009 at 9:25 PM
Pelosi, Reid, Obama and their supporting cast of lunatics . . . we’re doomed.
rplat on May 11, 2009 at 9:25 PM
Spike the wretched hag with sodium pentathol and question her.
I’d like closure on this and lets get this farce over with.
old trooper2 on May 11, 2009 at 9:25 PM
Yeah, that’s it! or “communist”. yeah, that’s it.
SouthernGent on May 11, 2009 at 9:25 PM
Sigh, thanks for making my point for me… :(
doriangrey on May 11, 2009 at 9:26 PM
I cannot emphasize this strongly enough.
Loxodonta on May 11, 2009 at 9:26 PM
My first reaction was; “How stupid does she think the American public is?”
Then I thought about all of the people who voted for Barack Obama, her and the rest of the Democratic congress.
I thought about Barney Frank, Chris Dodd, Charlie Rangle, William Jefferson.
I thought about all of the tax cheats in the Obama administration.
I thought about the death of journalism and the American press that has given up its traditional watchdog role and now serves as the cheerleading squad for Barack Obama and the Democratic Party.
Pelosi is pretty smart. America is stuck on stupid. She will get away with her charade.
Star20 on May 11, 2009 at 9:29 PM
From Ace:
Chiasmos on May 11, 2009 at 9:30 PM
Nancy wouldn’t lie. I heard on 60 Minutes she’s America’s grandmother.
Ted Torgerson on May 11, 2009 at 9:31 PM
Miss Ethical,sent her little palomino’s to the briefings,
so Miss Honesty can have a built in excuse when doo doo
hits the fan!
Well ya know,my little palomino helpers done lied to me,
the unmitigated gall,and the nerve,my staff knows who I
am,the most powerful women in the universe!
I just can’t believe they held the torture thingy so close
to their vest,I mean,I’m innocent ya know,like whats a girl
to do!
And once I found out that they held back,I immediately con
tacted CNN and coordinated our cover-up,and amped up our
manufactured outrage that my staff,my little palominos,
held back that torture thingy!!———(Snark)
canopfor on May 11, 2009 at 9:31 PM
Classic!
But I still want to know if she filled the bottle before and between pourings?
Loxodonta on May 11, 2009 at 9:32 PM
Misspeaker of the House.
Loxodonta on May 11, 2009 at 9:34 PM
“No one ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American public.”
– H.L. Menken (I believe)
The Precedent and Congress are clear proof of this.
progressoverpeace on May 11, 2009 at 9:34 PM
Yes, with her tears of sorrow and grief… ;p
doriangrey on May 11, 2009 at 9:34 PM
Under Left brain Liberal logic,this needs a investigation,
fact finding mission,and who knew what,when,where,and how!
Start PelosiLieGate,ASAP,and Expedite!
canopfor on May 11, 2009 at 9:35 PM
There was a rumor that Pelosi volunteered to be waterboarded but she was refused. Botox floats.
kingsjester on May 11, 2009 at 9:35 PM
Well then. That’s all the proof we need.
This woman has a heart of gold. She cares. She really, really cares.
Loxodonta on May 11, 2009 at 9:36 PM
FIFY… ;)
doriangrey on May 11, 2009 at 9:37 PM
Yes, that does make sense. How could anyone doubt her?
After all, we all know that Nancy Pelosi is just full of respect for others. Why she is just a quiet little shrinking violet. Like the way she never even asks the Air Force for a special plane to fly her around on. No, not her. It’s always, “Just give me whatever plane no one else is using and at your convenience, and if it’s not convenient, well then I can just fly coach with NW or Delta or take a Preus. I certainly don’t want to be any bother to anyone”.
MB4 on May 11, 2009 at 9:38 PM
Misspeaker of the House.
Loxondonta on May 11,2009 at 9:34PM.
Loxondonta: Better trademark that,me likey!:)
Pelosi was too busy,buffing her Palomino,and lost track
of time!!ahem:)
canopfor on May 11, 2009 at 9:39 PM
Pelosi was busy,
helping Geithner do his taxes!!
canopfor on May 11, 2009 at 9:40 PM
At the start of this we were told one of the 4 Congressmen at the original briefing asked, “Is this enough?” Interpreted as can’t you be crueler.
There was a 25% chance the congressman who asked, “Is this enough?” Was Pelosi?
Now with this newest revision of her story I’d bet she was the one who asked “Is this enough?”
DSchoen on May 11, 2009 at 9:41 PM
I think she may be John McCain’s grandmother. Or maybe it’s Abraham Lincoln’s grandmother. No, I think it’s Abraham’s grandmother.
MB4 on May 11, 2009 at 9:41 PM
Bring on the Truth Commission already!!!!
The Democrats fire up yet another blunderbuss. They have such a talent…
ddrintn on May 11, 2009 at 9:41 PM
Can we waterboard Nancy now? Like water off a plastic plate.
HornetSting on May 11, 2009 at 9:42 PM
Pelosi was busy,
Helping William Jefferson rearrange his freezer…
doriangrey on May 11, 2009 at 9:43 PM
She puts her left foot in she takes her left foot out, she does the hokey pokey and she turns herself about.Shes doing the big walk back from the nanny nancy dance. Shes spinning all around in her B.S.pants.
canditaylor68 on May 11, 2009 at 9:44 PM
Matt Stone
radiofreevillage on May 11, 2009 at 9:45 PM
I just returned from a few days in DC, visiting with and talking with old colleagues, and what Pelosi, et al., are doing is ringing loudly among our professionals who are in the actual business of keeping America safe from hostile threats.
Many are leaving government service. Many are disgusted that after the appropriate legal channels were utilized, under law, and every box was properly checked, they are being made the scapegoat for Congressionally approved policy.
Had one good friend say “God forgive me, but when we get hit again, I can say it wasn’t on my watch. But, this is what it will take to rein in politicians who will walk over the backs of all America to satisfy their perverse desire for raw power.”
This from a lifelong Democrat.
coldwarrior on May 11, 2009 at 9:45 PM
You want to know what you are, Nancy Pelosi? Huh? Huh? You don’t, I do, everyone does…… you’re the daughter of a thousand fathers, all filthy lying #astards like you.
Tuco on May 11, 2009 at 9:45 PM
Poor Nanny Pelosi, shouldn’t she just resign about now?
tarpon on May 11, 2009 at 9:48 PM
Meanwhile,in a cave,near Puck eee Stan,OBL,is stunned
that the Liberals are Lying!!
I just can’t believe it,Achmed,praise you know who,Pelosi
this treacherous snake is a liar,thats it,we will learn
from this,praise you know who,we will not trust any
Democrat!(Snark).
canopfor on May 11, 2009 at 9:48 PM
So, based on that latest version of the story, she’s all clear then…let’s have those torture trials now.
AUINSC on May 11, 2009 at 9:49 PM
The Sergeant Schultz defense.
Limerick on May 11, 2009 at 9:50 PM
liar, liar botox on fire…
Zorro on May 11, 2009 at 9:52 PM
I heard on 60 Minutes she’s America’s grandmother.
Ted Torgerson on May 11, 2009 at 9:31 PM
ON THAT NOTE I’LL THANK GOD I’M CANADIAN!
heshtesh on May 11, 2009 at 9:52 PM
What your friend said is very sad, frightening, and true.
What disturbs me even more is that the MSM have built such a wall around the extremists running our country, that its difficult to see the forest for the toned arms, the puppy, the romantic stroll in the Rose Garden, et al. And then when all else fails, Bush!
Loxodonta on May 11, 2009 at 9:52 PM
BOTOX and crappy Brow Lift.
nor on May 11, 2009 at 9:54 PM
Hmmm even the usual array of trolls dare not touch this one. This lady is a piece of work.
Jamson64 on May 11, 2009 at 9:54 PM
Liarocrats never resign….
doriangrey on May 11, 2009 at 9:55 PM
Jeez… I would like to think she could only get elected in San Fran, but they made her Speaker too.
Depressing.
Hog Wild on May 11, 2009 at 9:56 PM
I taught her everything she knows. Didn’t take me long either.
OberfeldwebelSchultz on May 11, 2009 at 9:56 PM
How many revisions does she get before she tells the truth?
Do we have to waterboard her to get the real story or something?
cs89 on May 11, 2009 at 10:01 PM
I don’t know what’s worse, Pelosi lying, or the Republicans supporting spying on Americans.
True_King on May 11, 2009 at 10:01 PM
If they tried to waterboard Pelosi the water would flee in fear…
doriangrey on May 11, 2009 at 10:02 PM
Just a quick question, and I’m really not trying to be snide or snarky: do you think 9/11 was an inside job?
blatantblue on May 11, 2009 at 10:04 PM
Funny how the witch hunt crazies are quiet now.
txag92 on May 11, 2009 at 10:04 PM
That is scary!
nor on May 11, 2009 at 10:04 PM
I think I had you pegged right the first time in the Steele thread.
AUINSC on May 11, 2009 at 10:04 PM
I don’t know what’s worse, Pelosi lying, or the Republicans supporting spying on Americans.
True_King on May 11, 2009 at 10:01 PM
“Spy” away if it’ll keep Americans safe. My phone calls aren’t that exciting. Perhaps you are worried about something.
txag92 on May 11, 2009 at 10:06 PM
Why doesn’t this dumb cooze just plead mental retardation?
I’d buy it.
Most worthless, incompetent, corrupt House Speaker EVER.
We’d be better off with a stuffed animal as Speaker.
Pelosi isn’t worth the urine it would take to put her out if she were in flames. She should be rotting in Leavenworth.
NoDonkey on May 11, 2009 at 10:09 PM
Hey out there, you can’t impeach congresspeople. They can be expelled but even if you could impeach, that also requires congress to take action they won’t take even now with ethic investigation of Rangel, Murtha and others. And a congress person lying while doing official business is constitutionally protected as with Murtha lying about the Marines. Your government in action. Sorry guys and gals, they don’t resign in shame either; they have no shame.
amr on May 11, 2009 at 10:09 PM
Next time I send an email to Achmed out in Fuzzystan with attachments showing the locations of dozens and dozens of totally unguarded National Guard armories across America, then I might be concerned about having government looking at my emails. /s
coldwarrior on May 11, 2009 at 10:09 PM
Americans speaking to known terrorists overseas. yeah, real problem with that. yeah, don’t want to be safe.
HornetSting on May 11, 2009 at 10:09 PM
BUSTED!
WisCon on May 11, 2009 at 10:10 PM
Yea, who gives a damn about that ancient relic of a document called the US Constitution its obviously out of date and useless anyway.
doriangrey on May 11, 2009 at 10:10 PM
Here’s an idea — a republican leader’s career is waiting to be made.
It’s cool to investigate torture as an infringement on human rights.
Now broaden the scope.
Open the investigation to include political indoctrination. I’m talking about diversity seminars as punishment for sensitivity infractions in government and private sector jobs, campus speech codes. How about depriving citizens of the right to religious conscience? These too are tactics of dictatorship, every bit as dehumanizing as torture.
If we’re out to squash every trace of banana republic influence in America, let’s really do it.
Any republicans with a spine?
Waiting.
jeff_from_mpls on May 11, 2009 at 10:11 PM
Nothing like taking ‘Plausible Deniability’ to the next level.
Gothguy on May 11, 2009 at 10:13 PM
Interesting you cannot stay on topic . My gut tells me you were simply trying to lessen Nan’s dishonesty.
Jamson64 on May 11, 2009 at 10:13 PM
Thanks for sharing that.
Del Dolemonte on May 11, 2009 at 10:13 PM
+1 though when calls originate out of the US I think there is room for disagreement and discussion.
Jamson64 on May 11, 2009 at 10:15 PM
ON THAT NOTE I’LL THANK GOD I’M CANADIAN!
heshtesh on May 11,2009 at 9:52PM.
heshtesh: I as well am Canadian!:)
But on Hot Air,we are all Georgians!!:)
canopfor on May 11, 2009 at 10:17 PM
Exactly – Democrats have ignored the 1st, 2nd and 10th amendments for years.
And there is no Constitutional right to chat with foreign criminals who are plotting attacks on Americans and there never was. The Constitution is not a suicide pact.
NoDonkey on May 11, 2009 at 10:17 PM
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