Is the liberal media downplaying Pelosi's knowledge of water-boarding?

Question

Time's Joe Klein: So Nancy Pelosi Knew About Waterboarding, So What?
By Ken Shepherd
Created 2007-12-10 11:14

Quickly reacting to the December 9 Washington Post's [1] front page revelation yesterday that some Democrats, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi knew about waterboarding interrogation techniques YEARS ago, Time's Joe Klein sought to silence criticism of Democratic hypocrisy.

Klein's excuse? Democrats were swept up by post-9/11 fear and paranoia [2]:

Now, there is going to be a lot of shouting and breast-beating over this. Republicans will say, "See! See! The Democrats knew all along!" Some of the more extreme elements on the left-wing of the Democratic Party will lapse into their traditional wailing about the Bush-appeasing weakness of their party leaders. But the Washington Post reporters and their sources make clear that these briefings took place in the months after the September 11 attacks. There was fear that we would be attacked again by terrorists, and on a regular basis. Few were thinking clearly about the nature of the threat and how to deal with it. (By the time Harman was briefed, in 2003, people were thinking more clearly--hence her letter of protest.)

So does Klein think that the risk of America being attacked is now extremely remote? If so, what share of credit would he give to President Bush for that fact? Oh wait, that would cut against his persistently negative drumbeat about the Bush presidency and how it has supposedly harmed American security and foreign policy interests in the long-term, particularly in the Middle East.

As much as Klein wishes to dismiss Democratic knowledge of waterboarding as an interrogation technique, hypocrisy and political opportunism IS a huge issue here, particularly given one crucial tid bit the WaPo article disclosed to readers. Politicians briefed about the interrogation techniques wondered if the CIA was being too, how shall we say, polite to detainees (emphasis mine):

Among the techniques described, said two officials present, was waterboarding, a practice that years later would be condemned as torture by Democrats and some Republicans on Capitol Hill. But on that day, no objections were raised. Instead, at least two lawmakers in the room asked the CIA to push harder, two U.S. officials said.

"The briefer was specifically asked if the methods were tough enough," said a U.S. official who witnessed the exchange.

While Klein excuses Pelosi's silence in the aftermath of 9/11, doesn't that suggest that the liberal San Francisco Democrat didn't have the courage of her convictions to "stand up" to President Bush when liberals would argue such leadership was most needed: the aftermath of 9/11? And doesn't that suggest that liberal Democratic haranguing on the issue now is nothing more than a cynical sop to the party's left-wing anti-war base, and a concerted effort to undermine the Bush administration specifically and the war on terror generally?

Apparently not to Joe Klein, who can't be bothered with such questions mucking up his preferred storyline.

Answer 1

Its sad Same can be said for clintoon and his lack of action against terrorism But the libs will overlook the facts and truth and blame Bush for everything

Answer 2

I had a little trouble following that as well, but I subscribe to the Post and I read the news article.
Not only Pelosi, but other Democrats as well, including Rockefeller of WVA. NONE of them raised ANY objections to the things that they learned about our interrogation. But, that was before the Democrats decided to try to make partisan politics with our Servicemen's and women's lives!
Two faced Democrats, just like always!

Answer 3

Okay, we get it already. Pelosi knew about it and didn't lift a finger to stop it. Given the latest revelations I think its off the table as a political issue for her to use against the Bush Administration now. And it confirms what many, even Democrats are coming to realize, that she's not that different than the Bush Administration.

Answer 4

Of course she did. Look at all of the "Bush lied about wmd" politicians who said the exact same thing before the war. The press give the Democrats a total pass even though any idiot who can type google or youtube can see it for themselves.

Pelosi, Rockefeller and a bunch of others were fine with it until it became a problem.As soon as it did, they didn't know jack and the press turned into a bunch of "see-no-evil monkeys".

Answer 5

Libs know an awfull lot about inconvenient truths, they have to pretend they don't exist every day. Funny, when you mention stuff like this to a lib, they change the subject, their brains do not absorb any facts deemed pesky.
They are doing the same thing ignoring the fact that many leading scientists are now changing their minds about the global warming myth. These scientists should expect to be taken to the woodshed for their heritic views shortly by such renowned deep thinkers like internet inventer Al Gore.

http://epw.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Minority.Blogs&ContentRecord_id=c9554887-802a-23ad-4303-68f67ebd151c

Answer 6

She(Pelosi) and her cohorts,are back peddling as much as possible.Reid and the rest are caught up in the tug of war between their money backed base of left wing money managers (moveon .org etc).They knew of waterboarding ,and after 9/11 were(the left) demanding even harsher treatment to the gitmo gang for intelligence.Their backers must've seen a political oppotunity,back then,and figured this chess game they are playing would turn out differently,they didnt count on the alter media(Fox,Rush,Hannity,Levin and the countless other heroes) to see through their bullshit.Every attempt the left has made,every statement uddered,has only brought failure.It only shows and reinforces the hatred for Bush,that they(the left) are willing to drive themselves in the ground thinking we dont remember anything they have said or done.Basically they(the left) saw the opportunity to use the Vietnam,media tactics or playbook(what you will) to use any thing pertaining to their phrase(Bushes War) to use as a toll against him.They have thought wrong,those were different times,and different circumstances.Its eating them alive.

Answer 7

I have a great idea. Why don't you contact the Speaker and volunteer to demonstrate waterboarding to her? They can tie you to the board and pour the water over you like they do. Then she will see how it is done and better understant. After all, it isn't torture, is it? If not torture than there should be no problem for you to volunteer. We can have it televised for the whole country, maybe even the world to see. Caption in the still photo: Smartass demonstrates waterboarding to Speaker Pelosi.

Answer 8

To my mind Peloshi's devotion was all but revealed when the stated the following words "Impeachment is off the table" she is just as sinister as Bush himself.

The aurgument is not Republican Vs. Democrat , its Oligarchs Vs. Americans.

Answer 9

Would Pelosi even be allowed to talk about a secret CIA interrogation program to the press without facing charges?

Somehow I doubt it.

She was probably informed of the program and the law at the same time and decided it was in her best interest to keep her trap shut.

Answer 10

Trying to but it's not working, her and Hairless Reid are both feigning out rage but you know they like torture in San Francisco, and Vegas.