Bush: Waterboarding Legal 'Because The Lawyer Said It Was'

[deminks]

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/11/bush_waterboarding_legal_because_the_lawyer_said_i.php?ref=fpb

Former President George W. Bush was asked during an interview last night why he believes waterboarding is legal.

(snip)


After Bush said waterboarding is legal because his Justice Department lawyers said it was, Lauer pressed him.

"Critics say that you got the Justice Department to give you the legal guidance and the legal memos that you wanted," he said. "Tom Kean, who was a former Republican co-chair of the 9/11 commission, said they got legal opinions they wanted from their own people."

"He obviously doesn't know. I hope Mr. Kean reads the book," Bush replied. "That's why I've written the book. He can, they can draw whatever conclusion they want. But I will tell you this. Using those techniques saved lives. My job is to protect America and I did."

(end snip)

Chimpy, did you watch?

[SpiralHawk]

1. "Neener, neener, neener. Smirk." - xCommander AWOL Bush (R)

[tridim]

2. To this day I still believe he watched and participated.

I know Dick did.

[Iggo]

3. This guy used to be the President of the United States.

No, really!

[INdemo]

5. this idiot was never really President ..He was a puppet for those

around him and corporations to pull the right strings and have him dance the way they wanted.He was a total f**&kin' idiot..but the sad thing is..If this idiot could run again he could get the Majority of the Republican votes..and less face it..there were Democrats that voted for this idiot too

[ixion]

4. A couple points:

a) Just because a lawyer says something is legal, that doesn't mean that it necessarily is.

b) That little putz didn't actually 'write' the book, I'm sure.

[AlabamaLibrul]

7. Two points to your two points:

a) Most people consider what their lawyer says is legal to be, well, legal. Not that that ever stopped him - but it's good enough for plausible deniability in the court of public opinion.

b) I'm sure they told him the truth verbally, and wrote down what he wanted to hear.

[Supersedeas]

6. Did he protect America from the Anthrax attacks--or did his hysteria create a Domestic anthrax

monster.

Presidential? Media Accountability - the anthrax attacks occurred after 9/11.