WASHINGTON (CNN) – The CIA rejected former Vice President Dick Cheney's request to declassify records of abusive interrogations of suspected terrorists, a spokesman for the spy agency said Thursday.
In a written statement, CIA spokesman Paul Gimigliano said the two documents Cheney requested are the subject of a pending lawsuit and cannot be declassified.
Cheney has said he wants the documents released so there can be a more "honest debate" on the Bush administration's approval of "alternative" interrogation techniques against suspected terrorists. He argued that those techniques provided valuable intelligence that saved American lives, but critics say they amounted to the illegal torture of prisoners in U.S. custody.
From CNN Politics
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I agree with Dick. Declassify the records. I want the world to know the Bush administration for what it was, a pseudo-fascist state propped up by deceipt, torture, and corruption. While we're at it, let's declassify all of Cheney's records regarding his involvement with the decision to go to war, and the decision to give contracts to Haliburton, his old company, without competition. The more this thug talks, the more the American people are aware of how bad it truly was, and how difficult it will be for our current administration to have dealings with other foreign powers because of it.
Associating Dick Cheney and the concept of "honest debte" is oxymoron at its best (or worse, as the case may be.). If I were he, I'd try my hardest to make the American people forget about me and my embarassing performce as self-appointed vice president. Why doesn't this man just slink off into the sunset and take Rush Limbaugh with him?
Is it just me, or does it seem like Dick Cheney is making a much greater effort now, then at any point during his eight years as Vice President , to be seen and heard in the mainstream media. I know there was always a feeling that President Bush was simply the front man for the real decision maker, however more then ever now it seems as though all of Cheney's posturing is about preserving "his" Presidential legacy.
Honest debate? You wouldn't know 'honest' if it you bit you while were torturing it. Come on, you know you never found anything except feces when you were looking up those prisoners' behinds.
Cheney can go cry me a river.
Am I the only one who wishes this disgraced gasbag would just shut his piehole and go back to his "undisclosed location" until he is picked up on war crimes charges?
Quite possiblly the absolute worst Government official ever.
Must suck that he can no longer "ORDER" the CIA to do as he says.
Interrogation is not the same thing as torture! There are plenty of interrogation techniques that don't involve torture. In fact, the CIA interrogators at Gitmo themselves have said that torture is the least effective, slowest, least reliable of their options. They could get considerably more, more reliable intelligence, and faster by using alternate techniques. And our top priority is to get intelligence because that's the security of our country at stake. We can worry about punishing the villains after we get the intelligence. Security first! Punishment later!
But apparently Cheney only wants to cherry pick documents for his so-called 'honest debate.' But he doesn't want to release ALL documents either!
Bwa-ha-ha! "Cheney" and "honest" used in the same sentence! What a joke!
okay so you didnt take my first post: Try this one:
Dick Chaney has the Seinfield theory: If you tell the same lie long enough, it becomes the truth: He learned that from W and W learned that from Nixon
Please put this guy in jail already.
Cheney can rot in he&^&^*. Who cares what he wants. He needs to be in jail.
For 8 years he didn't tell us very much, now he was to tell us something everyday–and you better believe it's not the truth. This man is not honorable.
Teh haedline on yr frotn page spels denies as denys!!!!! Really CNN? Sure you can do better than that.
Of course they won't release it. We only release stuff that makes us look bad.
As much as I dislike Mr. Cheney, I think it's hypocritical of the CIA not to release these docs. If they can exonorate, or at least show that he wasn't alone, then they should be made public as well.
No, I am not defending him, just noting that every story has 2 sides. And if these documents show that others, maybe even Dem Senators, were in on the discussion and decision making, then they should, by all means, be released.
Cheney, did you notice that you no longer have administrative prerogatives? It looks like you are beating a dead horse. How desperate you seem.
...:honest debate on the Bush administration..."
Two words that just cannot co-exist in the same sentence: Honest and Bush Administration.
Okay, so that's three words.
In the words of that kid from the Simpsons:
Ha Ha!
Ha Ha!
Ha Ha!
Ex VP Cheney is honestly evil incarnate. As pointed out in Congressional testimony yesterday, the info that we gained from the high value targets early after 9/11 occurred PRIOR to the "enhanced" techniques. Listen, this argument of the end justifying the means is the same as every dictator in history. His arguments are hollow and the rantings of a guilty ex dictator who is now in exile and can't handle his own ego. This period was one of the worst in American history. When the North Vietnamese did this type of thing, we complained and fought against it, but, now, since we are doing it, it is ok? Didn't your mom teach you that just because someone else does something doesn't mean you can, like jumping off a bridge? Or, two wrongs don't make a right. I guess he forgot those lessons, or, does the devil not have a mother? Just curious.
I'm sure when the Nazis, Soviets, Chinese, and every other dictatorial regime tortured prisoners, they got some credible information. Do we want to include America in this group? Does the ends justify the means? If so what does that say about the American ideal of liberty and justice for all? Is it dead?
So releasing the pictures would damage the country, but releasing the documents behind the pictures wouldn't? GOP "standards" at their best...
Why would the CIA even respond to Chenny? He is gone, and no more
important than any American citizen. Just because he was VP means nothing, and I must say, at least George Bush is not making a fool of himself like Chenny is.
It's about time the Bush Administration reaped some of the havoc they caused.
Wha Wha Cheney – you can't get documents de-classified. Imagine how many people you hurt that are on an uncontestable no-fly list or can't get a fair trial because you classified info during your reign of terror. Jail is too good for you!
Bush and Cheney covered up to avoid having the public see the truth.
Now Obama is going to block anything that will make him look bad.
Same 'ol, same 'ol.
And this war criminal is not in jail why?
Dick, go to your bunker and SHUT UP!