Jon Ponder | Oct. 29, 2006
If lying about sex is an impeachable offense, then what is lying about torturing prisoners?
In light of today’s revelations of the particulars of torture techniques used by American interrogators on terror suspects, I conducted a quick search to see how many times President Bush, Vice President Cheney, Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice and their spokesmen have looked at a camera and said, “We do not torture.”
In a half hour, I found 18 instances over the past 18 months or so of senior Bush officials denying what we now know is true: The United States under George Bush does torture people:
October 17, 2006, President Bush Signs Military Commissions Act of 2006
President Bush: As I’ve said before, the United States does not torture. It’s against our laws and it’s against our values.
September 6, 2006, President Discusses Creation of Military Commissions to Try Suspected Terrorists
President Bush: I want to be absolutely clear with our people, and the world: The United States does not torture.
January 11, 2006, Interview of the Vice President by Tony Snow (on Snow’s radio talkshow before he became White House press secretary)
Vice President Cheney: [There’s] been a debate obviously as to the McCain Amendment that was adopted in the Defense Appropriations Bill. But the United States does not torture. That’s not our policy. It never has been.
December 16, 2005, Secretary Rice Interviewed on NBC Today Show with Katie Couric
Sec. of State Rice: I want to be very clear that the President has always told everyone that he will not allow torture, he will not condone torture, that it is U.S. policy to respect our international obligations.
December 15, 2005, President Meets with McCain & Warner, Discusses Position on Interrogation
President Bush: Senator McCain has been a leader to make sure that the United States of America upholds the values of America as we fight and win this war on terror. And we’ve been happy to work with him to achieve a common objective, and that is to make it clear to the world that this government does not torture and that we adhere to the international convention of torture, whether it be here at home or abroad.
December 15, 2005, Press Briefing by Scott McClellan and Senior Officials on Levee Reconstruction
Press Sec. Scott MacClellan: And the President has made it clear that we do not torture and he does not condone torture
December 15, 2005, Press Briefing with National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley on the McCain Amendment
Advisor Hadley: The President has made clear from the very beginning that the CIA — that anyone in this government is going to comply with law. That’s what the President said from the very beginning: We do not torture
December 14, 2005, Press Briefing by Scott McClellan
Press Sec. McClellan: The President has made it very clear that we do not torture and we do not engage in torture
December 6, 2005, President Meets with World Health Organization Director-General
President Bush: I can tell you two things: one, that we abide by the law of the United States; we do not torture. And two, we will try to do everything we can to protect us within the law.
December 5, 2005, Remarks Upon Secretary of State Rice’s Departure for Europe
Sec. of State Rice: The United States does not permit, tolerate, or condone torture under any circumstances.
December 2, 2005, Press Briefing by Scott McClellan
Press Sec. McClellan: The President has made it very clear that we do not torture, he would never condone torture or authorize the use of torture
November 29, 2005, President Tours Border, Discusses Immigration Reform in Texas
President Bush: The United States of America does not torture. And that’s important for people around the world to understand.
November 8, 2005, Press Briefing by Scott McClellan
Press Sec. McClellan: Let me give it to you, just like the President has. We do not torture. He does not condone torture and he would never.
November 7, 2005, President Bush Meets with President Torrijos of Panama
President Bush: We do not torture.
November 2, 2005, Press Briefing with National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley
Advisor Hadley: [The] President has been very clear that we’re going to do that in a way that is consistent with our values. And that is why he’s been very clear that the United States will not torture
September 28, 2005, Press Briefing by Scott McClellan
Press Sec. McClellan: The President made it very clear that we do not torture and we do not condone torture.
March 17, 2005, Press Briefing by Scott McClellan
Press Sec. Scott McClellan: The President has made it very clear that we do not condone torture. He’s made it very clear to the government that we do not torture.
February 2, 2005, Press Briefing by Scott McClellan
MR. McCLELLAN: The President has stated publicly that we do not condone torture and that he would never authorize the use of torture. He has made that –
Q But has he issued an order?
MR. McCLELLAN: — statement very publicly, and he’s made it clear to everybody in the government that we do not torture.
Bush Team on the Record: ‘We Do Not Torture’
In light of today’s revelations of the particulars of torture techniques used by American interrogators on terror suspects, here are 18 instances going back to February 2005 of senior Bush officials denying what we now know is true: The United States…
THIS IS THE MOST LYING WHITE HOUSE THAT HAS EVER BEEN! THE MOST WASTEFUL AND THE SORREST THAT I KNOW OF IN HISTORY! WAKE UP AMERICA HAVEN’T YOU GOT YOUR GUT FULL OF THEM YET! STAND UP NOV 7 AND US PUT THE REPUGS OUT TO PASTURE!
I think we may have to torture some Bush Administration officials to find out the truth!