CHENEY SNAPS BACK - AT 7:42 A.M. ET:  One thing about Dick Cheney - the man stands up for his beliefs, no matter what it costs him.  Now, following yesterday's release of a raft of CIA documents about interrogations of terrorists, the former vice president gives the most articulate, thoughtful reply that I've seen:

The documents released Monday clearly demonstrate that the individuals subjected to Enhanced Interrogation Techniques provided the bulk of intelligence we gained about al Qaeda. This intelligence saved lives and prevented terrorist attacks. These detainees also, according to the documents, played a role in nearly every capture of al Qaeda members and associates since 2002. The activities of the CIA in carrying out the policies of the Bush Administration were directly responsible for defeating all efforts by al Qaeda to launch further mass casualty attacks against the United States. The people involved deserve our gratitude. They do not deserve to be the targets of political investigations or prosecutions.

And get this, which deserves to be circulated:

President Obama’s decision to allow the Justice Department to investigate and possibly prosecute CIA personnel, and his decision to remove authority for interrogation from the CIA to the White House, serves as a reminder, if any were needed, of why so many Americans have doubts about this Administration’s ability to be responsible for our nation’s security.

COMMENT:  Absolutely correct.  Add to health care "reform" a growing worry about national security.  Even Scotland, releasing the Lockerbie terrorist, treats this administration with contempt. 

August 25, 2009