Oh my: House GOP claims new intel hearing confirms that enhanced interrogation works
posted at 4:30 pm on June 5, 2009 by Allahpundit
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Watch the goalposts move. First the left insisted that America doesn’t torture as a matter of simple morality, whether or not that means another round of crashing airplanes forcing office-dwellers to swan-dive off of skyscrapers. That one didn’t fly, so they shifted to the cagier argument that enhanced interrogation never, ever, ever, ever, evah works — ever — except that Cheney and Obama’s own DNI claim that it does, and now a majority of the public believes them. In fact, according to Gallup, Pelosi’s slo-mo meltdown over what she knew about waterboarding has left her credibility so thoroughly shot that she’s almost exactly as popular as Darth Cheney himself.
Cornered, the Democrats make the only move left that they can make: After eight years of leaks aimed at kneecapping every aspect of Bush’s counterterror program, they’ve suddenly decided that … leaks are bad.
GOP members on the Intelligence Committee on Thursday told The Hill in on-the-record interviews that they were informed that the controversial methods have led to information that prevented terrorist attacks.
When told of the GOP claims, Democrats strongly criticized the members who revealed information that was provided at the closed House Intelligence Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations hearing. Democrats on the panel said they could not respond substantively, pointing out that the hearing was closed.
In the bowels of the Capitol Visitor Center, members of the panel gathered behind locked doors on Thursday morning to begin a series of hearings on the interrogation of terrorism suspects…
But Republicans on the panel said that not only did the use of interrogation techniques come up Thursday, but that the data shared about those techniques proved they had led to valuable information that in some instances prevented terrorist attacks…
“The hearing did address the enhanced interrogation techniques that have been much in the news lately,” [GOP Rep. Jon] Kline said, noting that he was intentionally choosing his words carefully in observance of the committee rules and the nature of the information presented.
“Based on what I heard and the documents I have seen, I came away with a very clear impression that we did gather information that did disrupt terrorist plots,” Kline said.
Note that no Democrat interviewed for the Hill’s piece disagrees with Kline’s conclusion, just that they’re pissed that he chose to say anything. Like Tom Maguire says, given that The One already published the details of our interrogation techniques by releasing the torture memos, what damage is done to national security by the GOP insisting that EIT works? There’s plenty of political damage done to the left, but surely angry Democrats’ only concern with leaks is how it complicates protecting America, no? Exit question: How exactly did the GOP congressmen who talked to the Hill reveal any more or less than Carl Levin did last week when he denied that those two memos Cheney wants declassified confirm that EIT is effective? Neither he nor the Republicans revealed any information beyond asserting whether it works or whether it doesn’t. Double standard, anyone?
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enough games… time to out the little men behind the curtain
gatorboy on June 5, 2009 at 4:31 PM
LOL leaks are bad
Stuffing your crotch with national security documents isn’t tho.
Up is down down is up
blatantblue on June 5, 2009 at 4:32 PM
Paint.Corner.Stuck.
This is the result of liberal deep thinking.
BobMbx on June 5, 2009 at 4:34 PM
The democrats are shameless Bas**rds, yet they have the audacity to use the guilt cudgel to beat up republicans.
And the republicans are cowardly enough to let them..
Disgraceful.
Skandia Recluse on June 5, 2009 at 4:35 PM
Everything the Democrats have touched on this issue has blown up in their collective faces. Hilarious.
Chuck Schick on June 5, 2009 at 4:36 PM
So let’s sum up the past 4 months.
GOP differs with democrats on torture and abortion. Everything else, they seem to be cool with.
Is that summed up properly?
lorien1973 on June 5, 2009 at 4:36 PM
Yeah, funny that…of course, Obama could just declassify those memos too and, according the Levin, blow Cheney right out of the water…and yet, he hasn’t.
AUINSC on June 5, 2009 at 4:37 PM
I’m disgusted!!
blatantblue on June 5, 2009 at 4:37 PM
Now there’s an accurate description.
On the serious side, Cheney has got to be right about all this. He wouldn’t put his head on the chopping block knowing obama could easily lop it off if Cheney was lying.
Man would I love to see a video of Cheney and obama having a private conversation on the subject of interrogations. It would look like a wise man scolding a petulant child.
Keyser-Soze on June 5, 2009 at 4:37 PM
Fine – great – good news
Now – does the GOP have the stones to get on the Sunday talk shows and stuff this news down the Dems’ (and the MSM) throats.
When you have the club – swing it – or your competitor will surely step in and hit you over the head while you just stand there.
Will the GOP get out and front and play the game on offense?
We will see – but I doubt it.
jake-the-goose on June 5, 2009 at 4:38 PM
I was LMAO when I read this story! Thank God there are some GOP House members with some sack. The Intelligence Committees in both House and Senate leaked like sieves while Bush was President, but now that their guy is in the White House the Dems are full of righteous indignation. And the Republicans even have the balls to go on the record and be quoted by name!
This is excellent.
rockmom on June 5, 2009 at 4:38 PM
Busted! Karma is a bitch.
Topsecretk9 on June 5, 2009 at 4:41 PM
One thing the Democrats are finding out is what happens when you run a scorched earth campaign to win every swing district you can. The remaining Republicans in the House now have safe seats and can do whatever they damn well want; their districts did not vote for Obama.
rockmom on June 5, 2009 at 4:41 PM
In related blockbuster news… Red Wings fans claim “We’re Number One!”
benny shakar on June 5, 2009 at 4:42 PM
“In the interest of full disclosure,” he added, “this did happen shortly after a waterboarding endurance competition, and just before a clothespins-on-your-genitals challenge.”
lasertex on June 5, 2009 at 4:45 PM
Yes they do and they are also pusing back at this leaking/rules breaking charge too, which is excellent — they said, we leaked info? PROVE IT!
Topsecretk9 on June 5, 2009 at 4:45 PM
Buuuuurrrrrrrrrrnnnnnnnnnnn
Chuck Schick on June 5, 2009 at 4:48 PM
Obama, and the democrats, recognize evil. They see it in their mirrors every damn day.
capejasmine on June 5, 2009 at 4:49 PM
From the same article, “Both Schakowsky and Reyes accused GOP members of playing politics with national security.”
Like the Dems have never ever not even once played politics with national security?
Pot meet kettle.
In this case, it was the Dems who opened Pandora’s Box…and now they are trying with timid success to try to close it again, and it won’t close, nor should we allow it.
In three cases, with three AQ members, EIT’s provided a wealth of information that prevented further attacks, caused a major disruption in AQ planning and operational activities, and yes, kept us safe.
But, for a Dem to admit such…that would be a repudiation of several years of tired old memes that got too many Dems elected or re-elected, and that just would not serve the Dems at all…nope, not one bit.
So, go ahead, Dems, play politics with national security…only 1324 days left for the Obama Administration, far fewer for a host of Dems in Congress come 2010.
coldwarrior on June 5, 2009 at 4:49 PM
House GOP dares Dems to prove intel allegations
Shrewd, Double dog dare ya…
Topsecretk9 on June 5, 2009 at 4:50 PM
Republicans need to keep demanding the release of this information, never let up, and tie the leaks of the interrogation techniques around the necks of the Democrats. Get every pundit and talking head to endlessly point out this double standard and once again awaken the idiots in the country to the long true fact that Democrats don’t care one wit about our safety and security.
smfoushee on June 5, 2009 at 4:51 PM
whatever dries the tears, darlin’ whatever dries the tears.
ladyingray on June 5, 2009 at 4:53 PM
I think the Dems are just baffled. The New York Times was completely cut out of the loop.
Of all the nerve!!
BigWyo on June 5, 2009 at 4:53 PM
And this president will still blab to whoever will listen that we are a “nation of torture”.
pjean on June 5, 2009 at 4:53 PM
Levin is just betting that the truth won’t be revealed, at the very least it won’t be reported in the MSM. Dems lie every day with full knowledge that they will get away with it, the media makes sure of that.
echosyst on June 5, 2009 at 4:53 PM
When is it going to be confirmed that San Fran Gran Nan is a lying POS that should be booted out of office???
Or is she still ‘vacationing’ in China?
BigWyo on June 5, 2009 at 4:55 PM
this issue, highlighted by the fact Sandy Berger had to stuff Documents down his pants and steal them, shows that these type of issues are ultimately the Achilles Heal of the Democrats
and they were stupid enough to politicize this and declassify only portions of Memos in the process to try to further their case.
jp on June 5, 2009 at 4:55 PM
Echosyst you said something without hating on AP!
blatantblue on June 5, 2009 at 4:56 PM
This is key. So pay attention. We don’t have to wait until 2012 to end this. All it takes is a majority in Congress (both houses). A super-majority would be nicer, but not required. If you own the purse-strings, you own the game. The only thing he can do, really, without congress is start a war. Odds on that?
Keep your eyes on the ball. 2010.
BobMbx on June 5, 2009 at 4:58 PM
“It is better that Americans die than we should stoop to enhanced interrogation techniques, like waterboarding, to prevent their deaths.”
I could go along with that. If we could be sure that the people saying that would be the ones to die, not us.
Alana on June 5, 2009 at 4:59 PM
This kind of stuff is classified so as not to reveal sources, or methods…
But Obama has already released both the Sources, and the Methods…
Sooo… why is this stuff still classified?
Romeo13 on June 5, 2009 at 4:59 PM
The Republicans sometimes seem like they are learning how to play this game. But I must hold back praise until I can see them make it around the bases without falling down.
myrenovations on June 5, 2009 at 5:00 PM
Yeah benny.. scoff all you want. The FACT is that the policies of GWB, Cheney et all prevented follow on attacks on us in the US. We will never know the full extent. However the islamic jihadists have proven to be a bunch of soul-less murderers.
We have islamogoons making comments about sumggling ‘four pounds of anthrax into the US’. Suppose they have a guy that they know has info on that. Which would you choose??
A. Give a terrorist the full protections that are really only due to US citizens
-or-
B. Let them whip out the Dremel tool with the small bits???
We are in an Asymetrical war pal. The enemy has proven time and time again that they are cruel B*stards. They shot 9yo kids in the back with AKs in Beslan… They Bayonetted a 9 yo because HE ASKED FOR A GLASS OR WATER. They raped the female teacheres and the only thing the hostages had to drink was their own urine.
When the islamogoons flew into the world trade center, THERE WERE BABIES IN THE PLANE…
Your Wuss is in the whitehouse now. Let’s see how that works out. We needed Winston Churchill but we ended up with the bastard offspring of Neville Chamberlain and Quisling.
Why do you have a problem with enhanced interrogation?? You here, O-Zero thought it was ok to allow human babies to die of dehydration, starvation and exposure in hospital storerooms. So, if he is willing to support that for defenseless newborns, you’d think he might be willing to support some less harsh measures for those who would commit the wholesale murders of our citizens.
So Beeny.. here is a challenge for you since I’m 99 percent sure that you voted for ozero. Compare and contrast the deaths of newborn abortion survivors in hospitals with the treatment of terrorists…
bullseye on June 5, 2009 at 5:00 PM
why are house GOP niemands more credible than carl levin? in fact, according to gallup, their credibility is even worse than pelosi’s or anyone’s, really, on the dem side.
sesquipedalian on June 5, 2009 at 5:05 PM
I love the smell of burning Leftist in the afternoon.
Del Dolemonte on June 5, 2009 at 5:09 PM
OF COURSE “enhanced interrogation,” or whatever you want to call it, works! A liberal would have to be a moron to think it doesn’t, but I’m being redundant.
Star20 on June 5, 2009 at 5:10 PM
The answer to your question is simpler than you are. No Democrats challenged what they said, only that they said it.
As for Gallup, their polling also showed that 70% of Americans would only remember Bill Clinton’s pResidency for a blue dress.
Del Dolemonte on June 5, 2009 at 5:10 PM
In the olden days, all it would take is a minority in the Senate capable of sustaining a filibuster, but today, to be on the safe side, all it will take is a majority in the Senate and Obama can be stopped.
Given the strong likelihood that the economy and international security will continue to decline due to Obama’s policies, I believe winning back the Senate is doable, if Republicans can put up enough decent candidates. Taking back the House in just one election cycle more of a long shot, but seriously eroding the Democrats’ majority, enough so that the Blue Dog Democrats get a stronger voice in slowing the liberal agenda, is also doable.
Keep you eyes on the prize! 2010!
Loxodonta on June 5, 2009 at 5:13 PM
Anyone else having a “Liar Liar” moment?
“Your Honor, I object!”
“On what grounds?”
“One the grounds that it’s very damaging to my case.”
brainy435 on June 5, 2009 at 5:13 PM
Proof is in the safety!
Cheney/Palin 2012!!
WOOT!
christene on June 5, 2009 at 5:13 PM
Just one word regarding these “findings” DUH!
Driefromseattle on June 5, 2009 at 5:15 PM
Who cares what Gallup says about credibility?
Obama completely reversed himself on 3 major security issues in a single week and its not showing up in the polls yet.
People may hate what Obama believes and does, but they still like him as a person.
Chuck Schick on June 5, 2009 at 5:17 PM
During S.E.R.E. training, they told us that if we were captured, it was not a question of IF we would break, it was a matter of WHEN and how much information we gave out. My experience with enhanced interrogation left no doubt in my mind that it works and I only had to go through it for a short time.
Star20 on June 5, 2009 at 5:19 PM
In related blockbuster news… Red Wings fans claim “We’re Number One!”
i recall the Glorious Penguins beat the stuffing outta the rat bastard red wings last 2 games…2 more wins….”Elvis has just left the building”…GO PENS..
JJKRN on June 5, 2009 at 5:21 PM
GENO FOR PRES
we might as well have a real commie in the WH
JJKRN on June 5, 2009 at 5:21 PM
Truth hurts.
maverick muse on June 5, 2009 at 5:25 PM
The problem with you, AP, is that only conservatives can understand you.
This post will zoom over the heads of most liberals.
The better you get, the more George-Will-like you get. Brilliant? – yes. Able to make a difference in a debate? – no.
blink on June 5, 2009 at 5:37 PM
Gallup hasn’t done a Congressional job approval poll in almost 3 months.
But they do have a new (last week) poll out showing that a vast majority of those polled-65 percent-say Gitmo should remain open.
Del Dolemonte on June 5, 2009 at 5:39 PM
And here we have the entire crux of their predicament.
All these memos are going to do (besides report on information everyone already knows) will be to make Democrats look like at best hypocrites and at worst shameless liars (Pelosi). Either way, they’re stuck here.
Good Lt on June 5, 2009 at 6:00 PM
Same old same old.
Terrye on June 5, 2009 at 6:03 PM
It’s not a double standard, leaks by democraps to destroy our national security good, leaks by republicans to enhance our national security bad. One standard all the time.
eaglewingz08 on June 5, 2009 at 6:55 PM
We’ve got to stop calling it a double standard, people. That makes it sound watered down and like something a teenager would claim about their sibling. What it is, plain and simple, is the denial of free speech to one group of Americans by the left and the media. They are taking away our freedom of speech everytime a conservative or republican is harrassed and slandered into silence. It is part of the battle for control of the language. Sorry but screaming about double standards comes off sounding petty, no matter how serious it really is. We have to call it like it is. Just as we have to call what barry is doing fascism. Call it an approved, neutered word and no one pays attention.
peacenprosperity on June 5, 2009 at 7:05 PM
Why would good men and women put themselves on the line for a republican party that will throw them under the bus at the first sign of a manufactured scandal? The democrats have had pedophiles in congress that they rallied around and who retired on a large senate pension. They will name a building after the freak someday. But if a republican says something to an old man at a birthday party that can be twisted and warped into a racial statement, the cowardly republicans abandon their own. Nope. Sorry. the republicans will continue to give us people like charlie crist.
peacenprosperity on June 5, 2009 at 7:12 PM
I love the Redwings comment Benny. I can even see the relation. Intelligent people who spend even one minute to research the truth know that EIT is effective and the Reds are number 1 this year. Both are facts. I don’t see the burn. ;)
Anyhow, the boys in the GOP need to grow some balls and run with this. Heaven knows they’ve dropped so many chances since Obaby became president that it isn’t even funny anymore.
Pattosensei on June 5, 2009 at 7:19 PM
I know it’s hard for you folks on the right to believe, but some folks really believe in a “simple” little thing like morality.
Also we believe in crazy notions like legality, something you never bother to address in the post.
orange on June 5, 2009 at 7:21 PM
Legality? Under which sort of rock have you Been hiding?
That is the crux of the released DoJ and CIA Office of general Counsel memos. The painstaking establishment of legality. If all of this were as patently illegal as you seem to believe, where are the federal indictments? And if all of this were so patently illegal, why has the Obama Administration, as a matter of policy, established that under extreme circumstances EIT’s would be an option not left off the table?
coldwarrior on June 5, 2009 at 7:31 PM
Fucking Democrats don’t even try to hide the hypocrisy any more. Hey assholes! Want to bring Feinstein up on charges for blowing the Predator/Pakistan link?
GarandFan on June 5, 2009 at 7:39 PM
Please define “legality” for us. Does this mean that if a Judge makes a particular ruling, you automatically agree with it? What if another Judge makes a ruling you don’t agree with? It’s still legal, isn’t it?
While you’re at it, please define “morality” for us.
Going to make some popcorn. This should be good, except that it will probably slink away.
Del Dolemonte on June 5, 2009 at 7:53 PM
Isn’t it obvious? We can’t have ordinary US citizens knowing what everyone else in the world (including the terrorists) know!
taznar on June 5, 2009 at 8:23 PM
I thought the National Education Association took care of that years and years ago.
coldwarrior on June 5, 2009 at 8:29 PM
I call Bovine Output… Let’s talk ‘morality’ pal, or paless.. You voted for a guy whose moral compass is so degaussed he thinks it is OK to throw newborn babies into storerooms to die of dehydration, starvation and exposure with no comfort whatsoever. Someone in jersey let a squirrel … a freaking rodent squirrel.. die in a trap and they are being persecuted for it. I would bet that the people involved were obamambi supporters.
As far as morality, self defense is accepted by most religions in most cases. Even the Dali Lama espoused the right to self defense.
IF the terrorists had signed the geneva convention AND if they abided by it, then things would be different.
God forbid anything Beslan like happens to my kid you do not want to get anywhere near me if you are a mush brained, terrorist sympathizing liberal.
We are in the midst of a war that has been going on since about 700 AD. The other side does NOT wnat to sing kum bay yah with us. They do NOT want to sip lattes with us. They do NOT want to come over for a tofu burger.
Here are the only three things that a couple of billion jihadist muslims will accept from us infidels.
—– Our Deaths
—– Our complete and unquestioned conversion to islam
—– A state of complete subservience called Dhimmitude
My Ancestors and their leaders like Jan III Sobieski had one response to them.. Complete overwhelming force. Read about the Siege of Vienna in 1683 when the polish winged Hussars smashed into a turkish wing 10 times their stregnth and destroyed it. Sobieski followed up his victory of 10 or 15k dead turks and tatars with a crushing blow at PArkany where he nailed another 15 thousand… Does that make your liberal knees a little wobbly??? You betcha it does.
BTW – Sobieski was tolerant of Islam in poland. His life was saved at Parkany by one of his Tatar soldiers…
bullseye on June 5, 2009 at 9:34 PM
That explains why Cheney is so relaxed. The benefit of harmless waterboarding has produced results.
If waterboarding is harmful, can we line up a row of men and tell which ones have waterboarding in their history and which do not? Obviously they demand harm was done. It should be observable?
seven on June 6, 2009 at 9:58 AM
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