Oh my: Pelosi was told the truth, says … Leon Panetta
posted at 3:24 pm on May 15, 2009 by Allahpundit
In a sense, this is pro forma. He’s the new chief, he’s inexperienced, he needs the respect of his agents to be effective, so he has to stick up for them regardless of the partisan considerations. And yet the fact remains that he’s The One’s appointee, which means this is no longer a partisan issue. The GOP says she’s a liar and now, implicitly, so does the White House. Devastating.
CIA Director Leon Panetta challenged House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s accusations that the agency lied to her, writing a memo to his agents saying she received nothing but the truth…
Panetta, President Obama’s pick to run the clandestine agency and President Clinton’s former chief of staff, wrote in a memo to CIA employees Friday that “CIA officers briefed truthfully on the interrogation of Abu Zubaydah, describing ‘the enhanced techniques that had been employed,’” according to CIA records.
“We are an agency of high integrity, professionalism and dedication,” Panetta said in the memo. “Our task is to tell it like it is — even if that’s not what people always want to hear. Keep it up. Our national security depends on it.”
Remember, Panetta tried to create some wiggle room for her last week when he conspicuously qualified the CIA’s account of the September 2002 briefing by saying it might not be accurate. He must have gotten an earful from his underlings for that, and then, when she repaid him by going on TV yesterday to humiliate the agency, it was the last straw. My only question is where this leaves her and Obama now on torture truth commissions. Paradoxically, the guiltier she looks, the harder it is for her to back away from the idea.
For a sense of what I suspect rank-and-file CIA opinion is like right now, watch this clip with former officer Wayne Simmons. The words “pathological liar” might pop up. Click the image to proceed.
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When will Janet Napolitano have a threat assessment report ready on the newest members of the Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy?
DHS listees: Leon Panetta and Steny Hoyer.
Loxodonta on May 15, 2009 at 3:59 PM
she just got, how you say????
PWNT!!!!
stlpatriot on May 15, 2009 at 4:00 PM
Rove you magnificent bastard! I don’t know how you are still doing it but this is priceless.
Mason on May 15, 2009 at 4:01 PM
Its getting so bad for Pelosi that her face is begining to show some kind of expression.
Cicero43 on May 15, 2009 at 4:02 PM
Blink once for truth.
Blink twice for lie.
faraway on May 15, 2009 at 4:04 PM
Ya know what…I really hope that, in the end, San Fran Gran Nan gets the hook. I hope that’s it’s nasty, very public, and criminal charges are involved.
With all that’s going on in our country today, it would be a brief clearing of the skies to see someone that is so reprehensible get exactly what’s coming to them.
BigWyo on May 15, 2009 at 4:04 PM
Wow – never thought I’d be cheering for Leon Panetta. And yet, here I am, doing it.
hawksruleva on May 15, 2009 at 4:04 PM
Mr. Panetta has my respect, for taking a stand for what is right, and not what is politically best, for his party.
capejasmine on May 15, 2009 at 4:05 PM
The DNC hack in that video really is clueless! Scary how she isn’t the only one, and they’re “leading” our nation right now!
You call the Bush guys liars and not realize you mean the WHOLE bunch?? Even the guys who indeed kept our rear ends safe the last eight years??
She will be shocked (SHOCKED!) when we are attacked again, and they will find some whacked out way to blame it on Bush, no matter how long he’s been out of office.
“10 years? I think the policies of torture he saddled us with a decade ago are in direct relation to this attack.”
Mental disorders seem to be a common thing nowadays.
Pomme143 on May 15, 2009 at 4:06 PM
Schadenfreude, Schadenfreude ist gut, aber Sie bekommen, was Sie verdienen besser.
Johan Klaus on May 15, 2009 at 4:06 PM
We have yet to hear from the Democratic Party’s feminist activists (including the rich Hollywood wife/fundraising contingent) on whether or not they’ll go nuclear if Pelosi is removed from office. If they stick by Nancy and suddenly start dredging up all the old stuff about Obama’s attitude towards women, this could get even funnier than it already is.
jon1979 on May 15, 2009 at 4:06 PM
my america does not condone abortion or sodomy
enjoy immorality, libs
its a dish best served cold
/getalife
blatantblue on May 15, 2009 at 3:41 PM
FIFY
Keith_Indy on May 15, 2009 at 4:08 PM
capejasmine – If Leon doesn’t do the right thing in this case he may as well resign, and it wouldn’t hurt for him to find another name to hide under for a few years.
JEM on May 15, 2009 at 4:12 PM
We have a winner!!!
Ted Torgerson on May 15, 2009 at 4:13 PM
Just heard an ABC news break on the radio.
They made it sound like this was a reminder to the CIA not to lie.
capitalist piglet on May 15, 2009 at 4:14 PM
He’s protecting his boss, who started this mess, and paving the way for a Speaker whom Barry can control. A side benefit is they can then also use Nan as a whipping boy for the Porkulus excesses. This plays out very much in Barry’s favor at the end.
a capella on May 15, 2009 at 4:15 PM
Maybe Nan will go jump off the Golden Gate Bridge…
That will show em!!!
izoneguy on May 15, 2009 at 4:16 PM
This is where Nancy got confused. She’s never been involved with an organization like this before.
PappaMac on May 15, 2009 at 4:16 PM
LOL. It’s a very irritating tic, ain’t it? I wonder if she’s really signalling to the the Great Moonbat in the Sky…
Fortunata on May 15, 2009 at 4:18 PM
That was Pelosi’s attempt yesterday….BLAME BUSH!! ‘The CIA was lying to all of us at the same time BOOOSH was lying the country into a war’!!!
I really hate these pricks….
I guess it was probably a good idea to have the CIA fellow in another studio. I think he would have really liked to snap that bimbo’s neck.
BigWyo on May 15, 2009 at 4:18 PM
Is there a more reprehensible creature in Congress than Nancy Mafioisi Pelosi ? Is there a dumber broad than her? Is there a more powerhungry airhead than her ?
Does not she deserve to be stripped of her Speakership more than any other Speaker before her ?
She is easily the most contemptible pol out there – what an utter disgrace to women !
nagee76 on May 15, 2009 at 4:24 PM
So was it Rahm Emmanuel’s idea to torpedo Nancy with the released C.I.A memo bait? Nancy thought that was the go ahead to stick the Republicans with the “Torture” moniker? She thought she had back up? She thought wrong.
Dr Evil on May 15, 2009 at 4:27 PM
Pathological Liar? That’s a requirement for being a Liberal.
kirkill on May 15, 2009 at 4:28 PM
Zing! +100
scalleywag on May 15, 2009 at 4:31 PM
In answer to your questions:
1. Yes, all 524 others and the vast majority of their staffs
2. Yes, but I put her on par with Jim Wright
3. Yes she is, but no more so than any other Congresstitute in the Biggest Little Whorehouse on the Potomac
SeniorD on May 15, 2009 at 4:31 PM
lol, in that video when Fox quoted the Cia Spokeman as “CIA SPOX”, I thought it said “CIA Spook”.
Daemonocracy on May 15, 2009 at 4:33 PM
My predictions:
We have the Speaker of the House accusing the CIA of lying to congress and of lying all of the time.
That statement can’t be left to stand unchallenged or uninvestigated.
Which the administration cannot allow because it will distract from their pressing health care agenda. So, look for Pelosi to walk back from that statement by the end of the weekend. She’ll say something like:
“In the heat of the moment I inartfully suggested that the CIA was lied to congress. I deeply regret that insinuation. It is the Bush administration who lied to congress and to the American people …
[insert boilerplate Bush lied diatribe here, Iraq was sham, no weapons of mass destruction, etc.]
… I regret my own clumsy actions in extending this discussion and delaying our actions on issues important to the American people
[insert boilerplate promises of health care for everyone and green jobs and fairies and pixie dust]
… I believe that this has gone on long enough. It’s time to get back to work for the American people.”
Peolsi does not resign. The issue goes away as no one really wants to investigate who knew what, when. Look for the Big Walkback to start this weekend. The Dems have to cost their losses and they’ll start very soon.
PackerBronco on May 15, 2009 at 4:33 PM
I don’t Pelosi can or should be allowed to back out of this. If they want their truth commission I say give it to them. Put Pelosi and all members of Congress under oath to find out exactly what they knew and when they knew it.
Daemonocracy on May 15, 2009 at 4:34 PM
Move.
Clearly the USA has outlived its usefulness to you.
bluelightbrigade on May 15, 2009 at 4:35 PM
This is getting out of control. Someone should tell Nancy the first rule of ‘holes’. Stop digging!
Uniblogger on May 15, 2009 at 4:45 PM
The DNC Clueless Maria whatever just got made a LIAR by the Head of the C.I.A. is there anyone dumber they could have sent to Fox to blame Bush for making Pelosi Lie? Really this is going to effect our National Security and you have this clueless DNC hack calling the C.I.A. liars no that won’t effect our National Security by all means play partisan politics with American Peoples lives. That Video was sickening. No one can be this jaded or stupid they can’t see the results of Pelosi’s dishonesty. The Democrats are really really leaving themselves wide open. If we are attacked again EVERYTHING will be laid at their feet see when they get elected to Dog Catcher after that. They are leaving a political flank exposed and it is one they already get criticised for being weak on “National Security” so they send this dumb media bunny out to argue Nancy Pelosi’s untenable position? Really that is the state of the Democrat Party blame Bush. Bush kept us safe for the last 8 years, he has ALL the National Security Cred.
The Dems are not looking at the polls? Uh water board whoever it takes, not a problem according to the polls. So who do the Dems think they are pandering to? Not the majority.
Dr Evil on May 15, 2009 at 4:48 PM
The dems gave her the rope…and she hung herself…
Now we hand Obama more rope…
right2bright on May 15, 2009 at 4:50 PM
I think San Fran Nan is in a Phoenix re-education camp for the remainder of the week.
Pass the popcorn….
txag92 on May 15, 2009 at 4:53 PM
Obama seems to finally be figuring out that he has to govern – and he needs to get rid of the poisonous partisanship in Washington if he wants to succeed. Getting a new Speaker would be a good start. What the hell – the Wellstone wing of the party, aka Kos Krowd are already upset, he might just as well as the far left feminist group as well. Warm up the bus.
Orson Buggeigh on May 15, 2009 at 4:57 PM
Time to yell the safe word, Nance.
Paaaaaaaaalllllllloooooommmmmmmmiiiiiiiinnnoooooooooooooooo
Chuck Schick on May 15, 2009 at 5:03 PM
Keep digging Nancy. Hell you might even dig your way to China and find yourself in a place that truly resembles you political ideology already without changing my country into a version of that.
Yakko77 on May 15, 2009 at 5:06 PM
Valerie Plame could not be reached for comment.
Del Dolemonte on May 15, 2009 at 5:10 PM
Nice to see someone actually come to the defense of America & Americans on TV.. Been a while. Seems a little shocking contrasted to the endless apologizing & witch hunting truthfully.
saus on May 15, 2009 at 5:11 PM
I usually like Martha McCallum but she needed to shut down that broad in the middle! Did that woman think if she just kept shouting her “Bush lied” points that they’de all agree with her?? My, but I dislike the left.
anniekc on May 15, 2009 at 5:41 PM
We are now witnessing a bunch of Democrats standing in a circular firing squad.
Somebody back in the shadows just shouted “FIX BAYONETS”!
Yoop on May 15, 2009 at 5:57 PM
The feckless Panetta needs to go too.
elduende on May 15, 2009 at 6:07 PM
Uh, read this carefully. Both versions of the events in question are supported by this statement. He never says the CIA did or did not say they were using waterboarding. He said they “told the truth”.
The jury is still out on Panetta’s position.
BobMbx on May 15, 2009 at 6:17 PM
God, I hate shows like that. That clip reminds me why I stopped watching those types of news shows. The host of the show was an idiot for letting the Dem drone on and on and dominate the segment. The former CIA got his opening words in and then wasn’t even allowed to respond to the nasally drone of the Dem representative. And the host just sits there like a f-ing moron. Wow, great job, lady.
Django on May 15, 2009 at 6:31 PM
This is the thing about these morons that always amazes me, the CIA is the same CIA Bush had. It was not like there was one CIA telling Clinton that Saddam was bad, and another telling Bush the same thing..they were the same people.
In fact George Tenet was the guy running the CIA when Bush took over, he was a holdover from the Clinton years. He was the guy who was in charge of the CIA in those early years.
It makes you wonder if people like Pelosi and this silly hack on this video even know what is going on around them.
Terrye on May 15, 2009 at 7:05 PM
I wonder if waterboarding will get the truth out of her.
Dollayo on May 15, 2009 at 7:33 PM
I am tired of WMD who knew and when they knew. The left could not accept that al gore did not get elected in 2000. so they think ANY ANTI BUSH STATEMENT IS O.K. TO HALF THE PEOPLE IN THE U.S. It seems to me that the last 8 years have been safe and free of threat from attack. Do I feel bad for the enemy combatants who had water poured over thier head? No. I repeat no. I am reminded about the ww2 when germans ran toward the american lines and ask for protection. Protection from what? Thier fellow socialist? Does any one remember the wall. The Berlin wall . How many people died to go to east berlin? How many people died to go to west Berlin. If anyone can tell me how many cubans lost thier lives trying to get to the u.s. I would like to know. No wonder mexicans violate the law to come to the u.s.. AND NOW WE HAVE REP PELOSI TELLING US HOW BAD THE U.S. HAS BEEN FOR THE LAST EIGHT YEARS.
There is only one rule in war. What ever they do is o.k.
The enemies of the free world have no moral values and therefore have no heads to pour water over. How about just hack off heads and show the whole world?
Pelosi has two choices. Ignorant. Liar. If she chooses ignorant then she becomes stupid because no one after 40 briefings can be ignorant. Do I think pelosi is stupid? Well no. Do I think she is a liar? Well yes.
TomLawler on May 15, 2009 at 7:59 PM
I think Panetta will resign before Pelosi does.
RobCon on May 15, 2009 at 8:36 PM
I’m sure the White House gave Panetta the okay. Why do they need a fire breather like her when they have a 2-house majority?! They could pass their whole agenda while the electorate sleeps.
Under the bus you go, San Fran Nan.
PattyJ on May 15, 2009 at 10:05 PM
My prediction is simple. Pelosi will be thrown to the wolves, Hoyer will become Speaker of the House, a pawn of the “ONE”. PMA investigations will go forward, Murtha, will see an old age home, care of the federal prison system.
My votes to get rid of Hoyer will yet again go unanswered, he will continue to miss-represent me, only now, with new found power.
This all will transpire, forgive me if I’m still not warm and cuddly over it. We need to clean house, party is not of concern.
M-14 2go on May 15, 2009 at 10:39 PM
Hello Sandy? Sandy Burger? This is Nancy. I need your services. Can you sneak back into the National Archive and shred some more document for me?
Geochelone on May 15, 2009 at 11:37 PM
And the circus continues! This is a lot of fun. Nancy Drew the line on the sand. Now she has to defend her turf. I think it will get even funnier.
miron on May 16, 2009 at 1:38 AM
All Pelosi is is another manufactured distraction. Keep your eyes on the ball.
amkun on May 16, 2009 at 5:51 AM
Maybe some Americans will wake up and do some research on the party of liars. On Youtube you can find plenty of older vids with the Dems saying how they support the war in Iraq. When it becomes unpopular their tune changes. They have no principles at all.
pageram on May 16, 2009 at 4:29 PM
It will really strike home for Pelosi when she has to stand in line like the rest of us at United Airlines, after her jet is taken away.
I’m sure she will also regret the flamethrowing at Corporations for their Corporate Jets? Who’s going to give her a rdie now?
Also, while I’m on this topic, Steny Hoyer serves Maryland, near Pax River. If he becomes Speaker, we can save some money by giving him a Beechcraft to get to his home district.
Jimmy Doolittle on May 16, 2009 at 7:40 PM
It is time to pull Nancy Pelosi’s feed tube.
Geochelone on May 16, 2009 at 10:49 PM
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