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A wee snippet:
Dave. He`s aft.
Q Sorry, I`ve got t' get disentangled --
TH' PRESIDENT: Would ye like me th' go t' somebody else here, until ye -- (yo ho ho.)
Q Sorry.
TH' PRESIDENT: But take yer time, please. (Yo ho ho.)
Q I really apologize fer that. Anyway --
TH' PRESIDENT: I must say, havin' gone through them gyrations, ye`re lookin' beautiful today, Dave. (Yo ho ho.)
Q Mr. President, critics o' yer proposed bill on interrogation rules say thar`s another important test -- these critics include John McCain, who ye`ve mentioned several times this mornin' -- an' that test be this: If a CIA officer, paramilitary or special operations soldier from th' United States be captured in Iran or North Korea, an' they be roughed up, an' them governments spake, well, they be interrogated in accordance wi' our interpretation o' th' Geneva Conventions, an' then they be put on trial an' they be convicted based on secret evidence that they be nay able t' be seein', how would ye react t' that, as Commander-in-Chief?
TH' PRESIDENT: David, me reaction be, be that if th' nations such as them ye named, adopted th' standards within th' Detainee Detention Act, th' world would be better. That`s me reaction. We`re tryin' t' clarify law. We`re tryin' t' set high standards, nay ambiguous standards.
An' let me jus' repeat, Dave, we can debate this issue all we want, but th' practical matter be, if our professionals dasn't be havin' clear standards in th' law, th' program be nay goin' t' go fore. Ye cannot ask a young intelligence officer t' violate th' law. An' they's nay goin' t'. They's -- let me finish, please -- they will nay violate th' law. Ye can ask this question all ye want, but th' bottom line be -- an' th' American swabbies be havin' got t' understand this -- that this program won`t go fore; if thar be vague standards applied, like them in Common Article III from th' Geneva Convention, 'tis jus' nay goin' t' go fore. Ye canna ask a young professional on th' fore line o' protectin' this country t' violate law.
Now, I know they spake they's nay goin' t' prosecute them. Think about that: Go ahead an' violate 't, we won`t prosecute ye. These swabbies aren`t goin' t' do that, Dave. Now, we can justify anythin' ye want an' brin' up this example or that example, I be jus' tellin' ye th' bottom line, an' that`s why this debate be important, an' 'tis a vital debate.
Now, perhaps some in Congress dasn't think th' program be important. That`s fine. I dasn't know if they do or dasn't. I think 'tis vital, an' I be havin' th' obligation t' make sure that our professionals who I would ask t' go conduct interrogations t' find ou' what might be happenin' or who might be comin' t' this country, I got t' give them th' tools they need. An' that be clear law.
Q But sir, this be an important point, an' I think 't depends --
TH' PRESIDENT: Th' point I jus' made be th' most important point.
Q Arrr.
TH' PRESIDENT: An' that be th' program be nay goin' fore. David, ye can give a hypothetical about North Korea, or any other country, th' point be that th' program be nay goin' t' go fore if our professionals do nay be havin' clarity in th' law. An' th' best way t' provide clarity in th' law be t' make sure th' Detainee Treatment Act be th' crux o' th' law. That`s how we define Common Article III, an' 't sets a good standard fer th' countries that ye jus' talked about.
Next man.
Q Nay, but wait a second, I think this be an important point --
TH' PRESIDENT: I know ye think 'tis an important point. (Yo ho ho.)
Q Sir, wi' respect, if other countries interpret th' Geneva Conventions as they be seein' fit -- as they be seein' fit -- ye`re sayin' that ye`d be arrr wi' that?
TH' PRESIDENT: I be sayin' that I would hope that they would adopt th' same standards we adopt; an' that by clarifyin' Article III, we make 't stronger, we make 't clearer, we make 't definite.
An' I will tell ye again, David, ye can ask ever' hypothetical ye want, but th' American swabbies be havin' got t' know th' facts. An' th' bottom line be simple: If Congress passes a law that dasn't clarify th' rules, if they do nay do that, th' program be nay goin' fore.
Q This will nay endanger U.S. troops, in yer --
TH' PRESIDENT: Next man.
Q This will nay endanger U.S. troops --
TH' PRESIDENT: David, next man, please. Thank ye. 't tookst ye a long time t' unravel, an' 't tookst ye a long time t' ask yer question.
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