CNN Political Ticker
945 days ago

McCain: CIA secrecy story just beginning

Sen. McCain said Sunday that he expects more details to come out about reports of instructions from former Vice President Cheney to the CIA.
Sen. McCain said Sunday that he expects more details to come out about reports of instructions from former Vice President Cheney to the CIA.

(CNN) - Sen. John McCain thinks we haven't heard the last about allegations that former Vice President Dick Cheney ordered secrecy for a CIA surveillance operation after the September 11, 2001, terror attacks.

"If I know Washington, this is the beginning of a pretty involved and detailed story," McCain said Sunday on the NBC program "Meet the Press."

According to a New York Times report, Cheney ordered the CIA to withhold information about the unspecified program from Congress.

CIA Director Leon Panetta told the House Intelligence Committee last month about the program, which he said had been shut down.

McCain said he knew little about the program and offered no details. He said he expected Cheney, who has yet to comment on the story, to speak up.

"The vice president should be heard from" about the accusations leveled against him, McCain said.

Related: Cheney and alleged secret CIA program 'a problem,' Senator says

However, McCain opposes a possible federal investigation into the Bush administration's authorization of harsh interrogation techniques including waterboarding. Weekend news reports said Attorney General Eric Holder is considering such a probe, which some Democrats favor even though President Barack Obama has withheld support.

McCain said a special investigation would only publicize "bad things" that harm America's image in the world.

"We all know that the operatives who did it, most likely, were under orders to do it," McCain said.

"Do we want America's image harmed by dragging this out further and further?" he continued, calling photos of prisoner abuse in Iraq the "greatest recruiting tool" for al-Qaeda and other terrorist groups.

Related: Holder considers prosecutor to probe interrogations, source says


Filed under: CIA • Dick Cheney • John McCain • Popular Posts
soundoff (300 Responses)
  1. Alan in Marietta, GA

    Expect Dick and Liz to jump-start Lying 2009 II tour.

    July 12, 2009 09:59 am at 9:59 am |
  2. Popduds.com

    Cheney and the entire GOP brand make me want to puke. I demand an investigation, let the chips fall where they may. THE TRUTH MUST COME OUT.

    July 12, 2009 10:04 am at 10:04 am |
  3. fugb

    yep, close your eyes, stick your fingers in your ears, and hum....and it all never happened.

    July 12, 2009 10:05 am at 10:05 am |
  4. Patriot

    Let the executions begin!

    July 12, 2009 10:06 am at 10:06 am |
  5. Bruce

    You can't help but wonder where McCain Stands. Basically I think most Republicians Love and respect him, but never have felt that he was a real conservative or Republician. I do think the Senator should probably just keep his mouth shut with respect to our former VP. Cheney is more than capable of "speaking up", and defending himself.

    July 12, 2009 10:07 am at 10:07 am |
  6. Keith in Austin

    Granted, in the wake of 9/11 what the Whitehouse did to keep America safe was covert. I for one am glad Cheney didn't open it up for public comment to the likes of Nancy Pelosi, Barney Frank, Harry Reid and a host of other bleeding heart liberals sitting in Congress at the time! Leave this alone and concentrate on the issues confronting us now!

    July 12, 2009 10:07 am at 10:07 am |
  7. Antonio

    Good for the maverick McCain to speak up on this! Wonder how FoxNews will spin this one. Either that, or forget to report it altogether.

    July 12, 2009 10:08 am at 10:08 am |
  8. john

    where there is smoke there is fire. lets see if Vader comes to put it out or claim there is no fire at all....

    July 12, 2009 10:08 am at 10:08 am |
  9. mark ferbet, kansas city, mo.

    This should be investigated, but quietly, and those that broke the law should be brought to justice. However, I am with McCain and Obama on this, the people following orders, need to be protected, those giving the orders need to be prosecuted.

    July 12, 2009 10:08 am at 10:08 am |
  10. do we need to hear more?

    a person gets tired typing all the things Cheney did to hurt the U.S. in those miserable 8 years

    interesting story, so Cheney had a Bourne Idenity type program going and was killing people around the world?

    until we get the full story, might as well be the story, doesn't sound beyond him

    evil man, Cheney is an evil man

    July 12, 2009 10:08 am at 10:08 am |
  11. GI Joe

    Hmm – tell me Cheney is secretive? Go awy !!!!! (sarcasm)

    I think the "death of US" Cheney will just lie more, like he did for 8 years.

    Anyone that opens an investigation into the Bush/Cheney "crap" gets my vote – 2010 and 2012 can't come soon enough.

    Vote, people. If the next batch doesn't work for the USA, vote them out too.

    July 12, 2009 10:09 am at 10:09 am |
  12. Luan Isuffi

    What else is new?
    Bush/Cheney was the most incompetent and crooked administration
    this country ever had.Put them all in jail.

    July 12, 2009 10:11 am at 10:11 am |
  13. Rich

    Dick Cheney and George Bush are confessed war criminals. Both Dick Cheney and George Bush have publicly admitted ordering the torture of prisoners of war. Torture is a war crime.

    Dick Cheney and George Bush must be tried and executed.

    July 12, 2009 10:12 am at 10:12 am |
  14. 60's survivor

    every country has been called to task when involved in unethical behaviour. why should ours be any different. it's not like "no one knows". own up or face the consequences of losing any credibility. we were once the leader of the so called free world. ain't an easy job. but we need to stand up

    July 12, 2009 10:13 am at 10:13 am |
  15. Sou@MiamiBeach

    The entire world would know that the American people want the true and that NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW...That is the american value!!!
    The world would respect us then!

    July 12, 2009 10:13 am at 10:13 am |
  16. Seattle Sue

    Bush and Cheney equals the most secretive administration ever. I remember Cheney's secret energy meeting in February, 2001. We still don't know who he met with. I feel that the high price of energy that we now have is probably from this meeting.

    July 12, 2009 10:13 am at 10:13 am |
  17. JLS

    And to think the future of the Republican Party, Sarah Palin, confides in Dick Cheney.

    July 12, 2009 10:14 am at 10:14 am |
  18. In Texas

    Why doesn't Cheney speak up? He's been talking about enhanced interrogations and surveillance for months apparently to "clear" his name. Why not speak up now? It has been a couple of days since the story broke. He better not hide behind "it's classified" defense because he wanted classified information released on the effectiveness of enhanced interrogations.

    July 12, 2009 10:14 am at 10:14 am |
  19. John, a proud veteran

    We know it happened. we've seen some pictures. Corrections have been made. I agree with McCain on this one. Cable news and newspapers want more details to get more viewers and sell more ads. This is now tabloid news which does nothing to help us, but helps the Arab press. This old news story should be buried.

    July 12, 2009 10:15 am at 10:15 am |
  20. Patrick, Mass.

    Too much politics within the CIA. Those who follow illegal orders should be fired. Those who ordered should be prosecuted. Otherwise, the CIA is just another office in the White House. Oh, and if Cheney is still talking to his "friends" there, that is illegal as well. He's a citizen now.

    July 12, 2009 10:15 am at 10:15 am |
  21. DJ BALL

    Cheney is a national disgrace. A torturing ,war criminal disgrace.
    Millions of us are waiting for a real investigation into 911.

    July 12, 2009 10:15 am at 10:15 am |
  22. Luan Isuffi

    And by the way-everybody should be prosecuted.
    Look back at Nurenberg trial-Nazis were too only following orders.

    July 12, 2009 10:15 am at 10:15 am |
  23. GI Joe

    I don't think most people got the greedy change they wanted, but I do think change has come to this country.

    We are all listening and looking now. Not like previosly, when we just accepted what the DC crowds crammed down our throats.

    Didn't get what you wanted? Don't blog hate and anger. Write YOUR Representatives weekly until THEY start working for you. You're paying for it.

    July 12, 2009 10:16 am at 10:16 am |
  24. Blue Demon

    CNN has never posted my comments and will not post this one, but Cheney will never speak up on his own wrong doings. He is a coward and looks out for no one but himself.

    July 12, 2009 10:17 am at 10:17 am |
  25. Denise

    Schumer is correct. Everybody needs to be patient. It will take about a year, I think, for the effects of the stimulus to really be noticed.

    July 12, 2009 10:20 am at 10:20 am |
  26. cowboy

    Open 9-11 hearings and make Cheney & Bush Testify under oath, not like the last time!!

    July 12, 2009 10:21 am at 10:21 am |
  27. Shane

    Bush, Cheney and their Big Oil employers have done much more than just keep information from congress. They need to be investigated, prosecuted and put in prison where they belong. If investigators look hard enough, I'm sure that what they find will make Maddoff look like a saint.

    July 12, 2009 10:22 am at 10:22 am |
  28. Sheri Lausmann

    The rest of the world already knows that the Bush administration was
    corrupt. That is no excuse for covering up what was done. Until
    it is uncovered, and dealt with, it will be more likely to happen again.

    July 12, 2009 10:23 am at 10:23 am |
  29. Progress vs. Stagnation

    The reputation of the US (Canadians, Central, and South Americans do get offended when we consider ourselves to be the only Americans around) has already been harmed by decades of botched foreing policy.

    If Clinton can be impeached for the things claimed against him, then for goodness sakes, the former Bush W. administration can be investigated - especially Cheney, who can't seem to contain himself these days.

    It's TIME the TRUTH came out!

    July 12, 2009 10:24 am at 10:24 am |
  30. Ms Bee

    Dickie boy – you can run but you can't hide now...................can hardly wait to see if you finally have to answer some real questions! Enjoy your retirement!

    July 12, 2009 10:24 am at 10:24 am |
  31. Cathy inAZ

    To Keithinaustin: He needs to be held acountable – he lied to Congress and my guess this is just the tip of the iceberg! This is another reason the rest of the world distrusts Americans – because they associate us all with the likes of Cheney, Rumsfeld, etc. Thsi can not be buried as some would suggest. Perhaps Cheney can share the cell with Scooter Libbey!
    We have a long way to go to undo the damage done by the previous administration both domestically and internationaly. The sooner we can address this issue and hold those accountable for the damage done the quicker we can move on!

    July 12, 2009 10:27 am at 10:27 am |
  32. db

    I bet now he wished he should have shut his mouth and gone into retirement!!

    July 12, 2009 10:30 am at 10:30 am |
  33. Tomas E

    Let's waterboard him and get the truth out since waterboard is just a fact finding device.

    July 12, 2009 10:32 am at 10:32 am |
  34. michael jordan

    This is one of the most disturbing pieces of information we have learned. Intentional deceit by one branch of the government with another branch amounts to treason and should be investigated and prosecuted. Our founding fathers would expect nothing less.

    July 12, 2009 10:32 am at 10:32 am |
  35. K

    I don't think this will take us anywhere. Even given the fact that Cheney did considerable damage to my country, i don't want to dig grave. We just need to know the history and ensure that we don;t elect someone of the type of Cheney and Bush to run our country in future and expose our brave soldiers to danger by sending them to war without appropriate preparation, plan and equipments. While our generation can be merciful to these old fools (Cheney, Rumsfeld etc), we also want to see that these fools do shut up and don't state that they have done great things for the next generation because that is absolutely outrageous.

    July 12, 2009 10:33 am at 10:33 am |
  36. Jane

    Maybe now some of the Obama haters will appreciate him for trying to bring our country back in the line of civilizatoin with other countries. Tihs is sad for the US because the Republicans are nothing but liars and bed warmers. People the Republicans needs to stop and think hiow they have ruin this country and step up to help Obama fight the worst of the worst and put our country back on track. If the Republicans can't see what they have done now to the people then they are no less than Chenny and Bush.

    July 12, 2009 10:33 am at 10:33 am |
  37. GI Joe

    FYI – Just checked (out of curiosity) – FOX is having a talkathon about skin cancer and then coffee.

    Guess their great leader is off limits until they get their talking points on this one from Lushbaugh or Shooter.

    July 12, 2009 10:35 am at 10:35 am |
  38. Afghan Vet

    Keep up the good work Mr. Vice President. Some people do understand that difficult decisions require more background information than what the U.S. population needs to know about. As a current deployed member of the military I'm glad that someone has the courage to do what's necessary to get us information to keep America safe.

    July 12, 2009 10:36 am at 10:36 am |
  39. NVa Native

    The fact is that Bush/Cheney/Repubs DID NOT keep us safe in 2001.

    Then they went on to terroize the Ameican people and deny us many of our civil liberties for eight long years. They are criminals who deserve jail at the very least. Only the cowards of the radical far right have "faith" in them.

    Cheney is the most notable coward of them all – eight draft dodging deferments during the Vietnam "war of his generation". His own words – he "had more important things to do". What a punk.

    July 12, 2009 10:39 am at 10:39 am |
  40. Major Major

    I think the former VEEP is a CREEP, but there are some things that the CIA does which shouldn't be shared with our blabbermouth congressmen (and women). Not because they are illegal, like the torture, but because the CIA does spy stuff that should be secret. We, the American public, elect people that we trust know the difference. Sometimes we get it wrong. Then we vote em out. McCain says we should avoid investigations that make us look bad–for Pete's sake, what happened to his self professed "accountability of government"? Shine the light of day on misconduct. But lets not assume that any secrets are there just to obscure misconduct...

    July 12, 2009 10:39 am at 10:39 am |
  41. max

    even the repugs can agree that cheney and his evil band of cowards belong in jail ...

    July 12, 2009 10:39 am at 10:39 am |
  42. kw1919

    Mr. Cheney – How are u going to SPIN this one. U are running out of moral justifications. Unless ur GOD almighty ?? If that the case I take back everything bad I said about you.

    July 12, 2009 10:39 am at 10:39 am |
  43. Is this it?

    So....anyone else think that we can't sustain this ever increasing level of bickering and misdirection? Go ahead, prosecute him. Retaliation from republicans has never really been as effective as it has from democrats, see comments, but they'll have to learn and they'll be just as effective shortly. Meanwhile the rest of us who don't chose sides will drfit back, until you both go too far. Then...you're done.

    July 12, 2009 10:39 am at 10:39 am |
  44. Jack Lowe

    "Dick." Something in a name! Maybe he should be shown what 20/week waterboarding is really like.

    Send them all to the dungeon.

    July 12, 2009 10:40 am at 10:40 am |
  45. Larry

    Where is Dick Cheney's big mouth now ...

    He had no problem being on talk shows when he wanted to spew his TREASONOUS vebiage against Obama and our country...

    A COWARD and liar to the core ...

    DICK CHENEY AND GEORGE BUSH SHOULD BE HUNG for their crimes against humanity ...

    That's one show I would fight to get a ticket to ...

    July 12, 2009 10:41 am at 10:41 am |
  46. Art

    Mr. Cheney thinks he is above the law, he is not.

    July 12, 2009 10:42 am at 10:42 am |
  47. GI Joe

    Investigate – it will either clear Bush/Cheney, or indict Bush/Cheney.

    Why the fear of truth?

    July 12, 2009 10:43 am at 10:43 am |
  48. Realistic Democrat

    Some things need to be kept secret. And Congress COULD NOT keep a secret for 10 minutes. For some reason, everyone wants to know everything. Well if we know it, then so do our enemies. All this free information, following troops around and interviewing generals for (or leaking) battle plans has to stop. I place some of the responsibility for our troops deaths in the hands of Congress and the news agencies. Not to mention Hollywood who basically give instructional "how-to" videos on shooting down helicopters (Blackhawk Down), etc... Shame on all of you!!!

    July 12, 2009 10:43 am at 10:43 am |
  49. Bob

    I think there should be investigations as well. However, I would ask those posting here that seem to have nothing to offer but hatred one question....What will be your feelings if he and others are found innocent by a Democratically controlled congress?

    July 12, 2009 10:44 am at 10:44 am |
  50. Jhak Schiddt

    The dems have stepped in the trap, and John McCain was the bait.
    Dick Cheney will speak up, and the demorats are going to run for cover.

    July 12, 2009 10:44 am at 10:44 am |
  51. Olive

    And Cheney was one of two BED-FELLOWS Sarah Failin called before QUITTING! This must have to do with her "higher calling"...

    July 12, 2009 10:44 am at 10:44 am |
  52. Ambrose Smith, Borrego Springs, California

    Here is what Cheney will say:

    "Those methods acquired a lot of super important terrorist intelligence and it saved America time and time again. However, I cannot tell you, America what the secret method is. You will just have to trust me. Let's move on."

    Nixon is no longer the TRICKY DICK.

    Cheney tricked America and he tricked Bush too.

    July 12, 2009 10:45 am at 10:45 am |
  53. To: Afghan Vet

    thank you for your service to this country

    I respectfully disagree with you about Cheney

    lie after lie, much of it not in defense of our country

    he is a terrible example of a leader, his time in office marked by moving from what ever would justify his view of the world to his next plan and if there was a problem he didn't solve it, he covered it up

    we need to get all this out into the open so this never happens again

    July 12, 2009 10:45 am at 10:45 am |
  54. ASingh

    Yes, we need t get the whole truth out, not just bits and pieces. NO eans hould be spared to get the facts out. Recommended techniques which can be used to get the truth out from Cheney, Rove and Rumsfield should include Waterboarding (not torture according to these people)

    July 12, 2009 10:45 am at 10:45 am |
  55. GI Joe

    Afghan Vet July 12th, 2009 10:36 am ET

    Keep up the good work Mr. Vice President. Some people do understand that difficult decisions require more background information than what the U.S. population needs to know about. As a current deployed member of the military I'm glad that someone has the courage to do what's necessary to get us information to keep America safe.
    ***************************************************
    It's called The Constitution. Should we just cast that silly document aside now that Bush/Cheney took a dump on it?

    July 12, 2009 10:45 am at 10:45 am |
  56. Aspen Professor

    Ah yes, Sen. McCain, hearing from Cheney would be a step in the right direction.

    Unfortunately, will we be able to believe anything he says? For 8
    too-long years, we learned what the espoused Values of the Bush – Cheney White House were. In no particular order .... Arrogance, Blantant Lying, Hypocrisy, and Extremism!

    And, of late,we have been hearing from the GOP that we need to rush back to their Values before America goes down the drain and into ... shudder ... Liberalism. Given the choice between Liberalism and Extreme Right Conserv – Repubism, I'll take Liberalism. And, I refuse to learn how to goose-step with the boys in black.

    July 12, 2009 10:46 am at 10:46 am |
  57. john u

    The chances of Dick Cheney telling the truth are zero, even if he is waterboarded. He needs to apoligize to Nancy Pelosi too, and so does the rest of the Republican party for that matter, though I'm sure the Republicans will wait until Rush or O'Reilly gives them some spin drivel cover and they eat it up like the well trained Pavlov's dogs they are. Cheney won't talk (and neither will the rest of 'em) because life in prison might upset their retirement plans.

    July 12, 2009 10:47 am at 10:47 am |
  58. Major Major

    It makes me both angry and sad to think of how the "last eight years" has eroded so many Americans trust and confidence in our government. We are a better, more honorable country than the administration believed. I wonder how we let those chumps get away with it.

    July 12, 2009 10:47 am at 10:47 am |
  59. T

    I always loved McCain's integrity.

    July 12, 2009 10:47 am at 10:47 am |
  60. The Truth Is?

    @Alan in Marietta, GA July 12th, 2009 9:59 am ET
    Expect Dick and Liz to jump-start Lying 2009 II tour****You are sooo Right ****** Shame on Dick and LIZ!!!

    July 12, 2009 10:48 am at 10:48 am |
  61. Why is EVERYTHING someone elses business?

    I believe this guy is evil and not only am I tired of looking at his face, he will LIE, LIE and LIE until he dies to cover his A$$.

    July 12, 2009 10:48 am at 10:48 am |
  62. ge ontario

    the only thing goerge and dick care about are there off shore bank acounts and off shore invest ments dubia

    July 12, 2009 10:48 am at 10:48 am |
  63. To: Jhak Schiddt

    ok all knowing one, what is the trap

    I think more likely you need to quit smoking the wacky tobaky, open the window shades and let in some light, go down to your local coffee shop and have a cup and go on a date with a woman

    step away from the computer, too many drugs and too much time in the basement have clouded your brain

    July 12, 2009 10:48 am at 10:48 am |
  64. Ross, Chautauqua, NY

    McCain says that photos of the prisoner abuse was the "greatest recruiting tool for Al-Queda" which shows just how mistaken and how bad his judgment is. It was the lack of law and the abuse itself, that became a recruiting tool. Thank God he isn't president. And thank God his choice for vice president also isn't in Washington.

    July 12, 2009 10:48 am at 10:48 am |
  65. Joe Smoe

    Oh McCain get your head out of the sand, if you think Cheney is going to speak up you are nuttier than I thought!
    This is how he lives his life and what he thrives on take it all away and he will die

    July 12, 2009 10:50 am at 10:50 am |
  66. chris

    Lets check up on ALLof them. Put the two Biggest putzs in Jail and take All the money Dick and that Tex-ass Gov. have made from the last 8 years of their war and apply it to the finacial mess they left for all of us (and my children) to clean up.

    July 12, 2009 10:50 am at 10:50 am |
  67. Jim in Idaho

    Operatives were "under orders to do it?" Details might "tarnish our image?"

    Just imagine if either of those had been legitimate defenses at Nuremburg.....we wouldn't have been able to convict a single Nazi for a single crime after WW2.

    What tarnishes our image, John McCain, is that we continue to act like "just following orders" now apparentl;y has the legitimacy that the world did not give it 60 years ago. Back then we hung both those who gave the orders and those who unquestioningly followed them.

    July 12, 2009 10:50 am at 10:50 am |
  68. oldwhiteguy

    America, you can't handle the truth...

    Four jet planes 'vaporized' on 9/11.
    The ONLY identifiable debris was the hijackers passports.
    All the footage of the events was removed from sight so no one could question it.
    The so called investigation was as fair and open as Iran's last election.
    We all understand the need for 'secrets'. You can't show all your cards or you'll never win a hand.
    IF, IF, all the secret info came to light today, the whole would attack us tomorrow.
    Maybe that's Cheney's plan. Leak enough to get us hit again...

    July 12, 2009 10:50 am at 10:50 am |
  69. B. Szakacs

    Cheney and most of the "new" GOP are perpetual LYERS.

    July 12, 2009 10:51 am at 10:51 am |
  70. ge ontario

    i don,t hear macain wanting to bomb north china over demostration in that country why

    July 12, 2009 10:51 am at 10:51 am |
  71. Mary

    Cheney is a slimeball!!!!

    July 12, 2009 10:51 am at 10:51 am |
  72. GI Joe

    T July 12th, 2009 10:47 am ET

    I always loved McCain's integrity.
    ********************************************
    So did a lot of folks,until his "Fatal Attraction" last fall.

    July 12, 2009 10:52 am at 10:52 am |
  73. Fritz

    Sorry, John......................Cheney needs to be indicted, tried, (obviously) found guilty, and be jailed. He's the thorn in the ass of every Washington Bush-era politician.

    July 12, 2009 10:53 am at 10:53 am |
  74. sonotimpressed

    Hiding the truth of this from the American people and the world ensures it will happen again. It also encourages and justifies other nations hide the truth of their governments as well. And that is not good for Americas national security.

    Terrorist already have plenty to recruit with. McCains concern about them having more is tail-chasing nonsense.

    July 12, 2009 10:54 am at 10:54 am |
  75. Army Veteran

    I'm sure the CIA didn't tell congress everything. Why would they when the Democrats were leaking our counter terrorism information. The facts stand. Cheney prevented any more attacks on the US for almost 8 years. Lets see how the Democrats do.

    July 12, 2009 10:55 am at 10:55 am |
  76. Ed, Santa Fe, NM

    Bush and Cheney are liars and war criminals. Every act they took after 9/11 attacks was against the law and against the American people. Even with a GOP Congress, the used the CIA and military for their own agenda and kept it secret from GOP. These are despicable people.

    July 12, 2009 10:56 am at 10:56 am |
  77. Texas

    of course this should be investigated and "EVERYONE" involved JAILED, from President Bush on down ! is absurd to pardon anyone !

    July 12, 2009 10:56 am at 10:56 am |
  78. Dan, TX

    Whatever it is. Previous administration has kept us safe and secure. Today we are not. Thanks to Barack Obama and his administration. Leon Panetta wants to score points here and show as if he is doing a good job. He is a joke.

    July 12, 2009 10:57 am at 10:57 am |
  79. Joe Smoe

    I didn't send a duplicate you didn't print the first one
    Selective aren't ya

    July 12, 2009 10:57 am at 10:57 am |
  80. Texan

    Anyone who buys Chaney's book is a fool. I hope the publisher loses money.

    July 12, 2009 10:57 am at 10:57 am |
  81. AdamW

    He should be hung like Saddam. Didn't we invade Iraq because he has secret prisons and tortured people and was a tyrant? And what does Cheney and his America do? The same exact thing. Cheney is a criminal and should be treated like one.

    July 12, 2009 10:58 am at 10:58 am |
  82. Texas

    I agree with Popduds ! let the truth come out and people involved from president Bush on down Jailed !

    July 12, 2009 10:58 am at 10:58 am |
  83. Robert

    Please keep in mind people that both Democrats and Republican politicans are liars...cheats....and any other word one might choose. For those naive enough to not see that this is Pelosi trying to gloss over that she was briefed about waterboarding and made false allegations against the CIA. She claimed they lied – this story is about withholding information. Far different but for the fact that Pelosi was briefed and she wrongly accused the CIA. Understand, this is all from Pelosi to cover her a$$$!!!!!!!!! Nothing more than that!

    July 12, 2009 10:59 am at 10:59 am |
  84. barrystash

    Go down the list of internatinal hot spots and you see that Obama supports the anti-democratic / anti-American groups at each point. From Honduras to Iran to Russia to Iraq to Israel. This is a man that is hell bent on destroying our allies and our country. The Obamots who support him should be hanging their heads in shame.

    July 12, 2009 10:59 am at 10:59 am |
  85. Alex

    If a person breaks the law, then they should be held accountable. Whether or not that person had good intentions is irrelevant.

    July 12, 2009 11:00 am at 11:00 am |
  86. DJ

    Any time Congress is involved, information gets leaked to the press. In the world of counterterrorism, this can lead to fatalities of our own citizens and failed programs. I think if a few people in the White House were aware, that's fine. We are talking about post 9/11 and trying to keep us safe. And guess what, Bush/Cheney did just that and thanks to the CIA we probably prevented other attacks that we never knew about. Even THIS report was leaked to the press so just imagine if it was top secret information!

    July 12, 2009 11:00 am at 11:00 am |
  87. Donald Reif, Jr.

    So much for the "maverick" John McCain. He has made an amazing transformation since 2000. Gone from being a principled leader to nothing more than a typical political hack and apologist for the illegal activity of the Bush Administration. It's really quite sad to see what he has become It also explains in many ways why he lost the election last year.

    July 12, 2009 11:00 am at 11:00 am |
  88. Texas Latina

    Our lately BigMouth Cheney will be back in his old "undisclosed location" after this.

    July 12, 2009 11:00 am at 11:00 am |
  89. Patti

    I think I'll turn on FOX News to see how they are covering this story, with their Fair & Balanced motto. Only way they could do it is to not cover it all.

    July 12, 2009 11:02 am at 11:02 am |
  90. ib

    Why don't we investigate Obama for having the underage hijackers shot in the ocean. I know that was to protect to captain of the hijacked ship. My point is the Cheney was also doing what he thought necessary to protect the people of this country. If one broke the law so did the other one.

    July 12, 2009 11:02 am at 11:02 am |
  91. this bleedin' heart

    Re: Keith in Austin

    It'a amazing to me how the neocons cry "Socialism" at every turn of Obama's administration like it's such a bad thing, yet 8 years of increasing Fascism was fine and dandy as long as it was under Bush and the Republicans. Talk about double standards! I just don't get it.

    July 12, 2009 11:02 am at 11:02 am |
  92. barrystash

    Where there is smoke there is fire. Obama's support for anti-American forces around the world tell us that their could be an act of high treason at any time. America, be ready for a constitutional crisis beyond anything we have experienced since the Civil War. Obama is a traitor and a Marxist.

    July 12, 2009 11:02 am at 11:02 am |
  93. StephenLoeschner

    John McCain has just as much importants to recall Dick Cheney as Nancy Pelosi, Barney Frank, Harry Reid. I agree that congress can not keep a military secret. This is a witch hunt to keep the eyes off the real problems and not see the spaceships land. Poocky poocky

    July 12, 2009 11:02 am at 11:02 am |
  94. John Q. Public

    I find it totally ironic to listen to the pontification of John McCain, who has never, ever in his mediocre political career critically review the issues before jumping on the bandwagon to further his own personal political ambitions. Thank God, he lost the Presidential election last year. Remember he was gung ho about going into Iraq and staying there until we won it for democracy, or obliterating that nation. I'm simply disgusted at his duplicity and hypocrisy.

    July 12, 2009 11:02 am at 11:02 am |
  95. AndyB

    John, watch what you say to Dick or you may end up with a face full of buck shot. ha ha ha

    July 12, 2009 11:03 am at 11:03 am |
  96. Peggy in Texas

    Once again the right wingers need a serious reality check. NOTHING the Bush administration did PREVENTED the 9/11 attack. It happened on THEIR watch. This insane reasoning that they "kept the country safe" for eight years is typical of their la la land thinking. Not only did they NOT keep us safe, their policies and practices have completely eroded this country's credibility. Enough of their excuses, they should ALL BE IN JAIL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    July 12, 2009 11:03 am at 11:03 am |
  97. Ma Kettle

    Folks, all of this stuff is a smoke screen to keep you occupied while the current administration gets its screws in place and then orates you right out of your britches. To protect our innocents we had to do what we had to do. They were faced with the problem of protecting us. Not the other way around.

    July 12, 2009 11:03 am at 11:03 am |
  98. barrystash

    When Schumer says we should be "patient" it usually means a Democrat has committed a crime.

    July 12, 2009 11:04 am at 11:04 am |
  99. johnny

    McCain is a loser. I would think if anyone in the GOP would want the corrupt Bush administration brought to justice (and show that the GOP had any sense of accountability) would be the guy who lost the presidential election due the prior eight years of thievery, deceit, betrayal, murder, and lies. Other countries around the world knew how evil the shrub administration had been and let out a collective sigh of relief because hopefully Obama would get those bastards. A republican president would never allow these issues to come to light, obviously. I hope Obama is just playing politics for now. Regardless, it's up to us not to forget, and to bring to justice baby-killers like Cheney, rummy, Condy, Ashcroft, wolfowitz, and the jester himself, the shrub.

    July 12, 2009 11:04 am at 11:04 am |
  100. Sylvia

    I think Cheney's plan has backfired. When he started asking for declassification of documents that "proved" he had kept this country safe, I said that was a safe demand since he knew it would never happen. He felt free to tell whatever lies he wanted confident that the information would never be made public. Well the wheels have come off of that "strategery." I predict that his heart condition will conveniently flare up in time to necessitate his bowing out of the limelight.

    July 12, 2009 11:05 am at 11:05 am |
  101. turn Texas blue

    Yes its going to be a long and slow walk to prison.

    July 12, 2009 11:05 am at 11:05 am |
  102. barrystash

    I agree with a comment below. You can't tell the Democrats any secrets because they immediately send the information to those who want to destroy our country.

    July 12, 2009 11:05 am at 11:05 am |
  103. Angie

    While I don't really think McCain is presidential material, I do have great respect for him. In this case, I think he's right. We really don't need to drag this on and on, but we do need some amount truth as to what is going on and what went on.

    But why do people from both sides have to be such jerks about everything? It always ends up with extreme partisan finger-pointing and unabashed vitriol. I think that many politicians from BOTH sides become corrupt once they taste the power, and our pointless bickering is doing absolutely NOTHING to keep them honest! We're never going to get where we want to go unless we can at least respect each other and agree to disagree without hatred dogging our every step.

    July 12, 2009 11:07 am at 11:07 am |
  104. Bev

    Democrats have taken politics to a whole new level. Accusing the Bush people of something "bad" ...but they can't explain anything because all the information is classified. What a bunch of CRAP. This is called "Protecting Pelosi's buns 101". And what a huge coincidence it seems to happen EXACTLY when Obama's approval ratings are dropping like a led balloon. How convenient!! It's almost as convenient as say, the banks failing two months before the presidential election!!!

    This is NOT change in Washington. This is the same behavior on steroids. The Democrats have unchecked power and yet their only focus is on destroying Republicans. We are at war. We have troops dieing every day in Afghanistan and Iraq and Nancy Pelosi has only one concern....to trash the old administration. She does not care if the CIA is distracted or brought down in the process. She just wants blood. This is unhealthy and it's nonproductive. It does NO GOOD for any of us. Having this much hate should automatically disqualify anyone from holding a position of power. I do not want the people in Washington who make decisions that affect my life and my country, whether they are Republican, Democrats, Independent, or whatever, I do not want them to be more concerned about their position of power than the well being of this country. It's a revolving door of bad behavior and we should not be buying into any of it. The Democrats pointing fingers at the Republicans is ridiculous.

    The Democrats are trying to pass a Cap and Trade bill that will cripple the economy in this country and take us back to the days of Jimmy Carter all under the smokescreen of this CIA controversy. They are trying to take over the health care industry in this country and they are distracting everyone time and time again. Unemployment is going sky high....interest rates and inflation....taxes....those are the things Nancy Pelosi should focus on. Not blaming the Bush administration. We are SICK of the blame game. This is Obama's economy now. The deficit, the taxes, the unemployment rate, all the policies, the growing government...it's all the responsibility of Democrats now.

    July 12, 2009 11:07 am at 11:07 am |
  105. Patti

    Just as I thought. They're not "discussing" the Cheney situation. Probably going to leave it for Monday morning for their "experts" Gretchen, Steve and Brian.

    July 12, 2009 11:09 am at 11:09 am |
  106. Malcolm

    And you wonder what else that fat bastard has lied about!

    July 12, 2009 11:09 am at 11:09 am |
  107. barrystash

    To Peggy In Texas – Obama's support for anti-Democratic forces in Honduras should scare the bejazoo out of you. We have a Marxist thug as POTUS and people like you seem thrilled. If you ever had to earn a living you wouldn't be cheering for Marxist thugs.

    July 12, 2009 11:09 am at 11:09 am |
  108. Buddy Gilmour

    This strikes me as old news. Everyone knows Cheney was all over the CIA, and State too, and played Tenet and Powell like old violins. If I was cynical, I would say this is being dredged up because of the slip in poll numbers for Obama – its time to remind the fickle public about what came before. Really, the best thing for the Dems is to keep Cheney in the news, but this is running out of steam. Now the Cheney PR machine has been uncharacteristically silent and I'm interested to see how Cheney responds. McCain wants him to come out swinging, but I think a better strategy would be to check into a medical facility complaining of chest pains – go for the sympathy angle. Remember, you heard it here first!!!

    July 12, 2009 11:10 am at 11:10 am |
  109. dave

    John,
    How would you feel if you won and they judge a program that you clearly said will take time to show fruit? So McCain think before you saying you're starting to sound like your VP choice.

    July 12, 2009 11:11 am at 11:11 am |
  110. Bill Durham

    You mean Cheney lied? I don't believe it? I happen to be one of the remaining 20% of Americans left who support Bush and friends and I refuse to believe it!!
    Cheney and Bush were honest fair guys and you'll never change my mind...(sarcasm)

    July 12, 2009 11:12 am at 11:12 am |
  111. Kentucky

    John McCain has the guts to demand the truth from Bush/Cheney.
    It is why I supported McCain. He is such a rare Republican it is amazing. We hear utter silence from Mitch McConnell.

    July 12, 2009 11:14 am at 11:14 am |
  112. Chris

    So, the story is that a counter-terrorism program was researched and planned off and on without ever being implemented was ordered not to be disclosed by Cheney. If I understand this story correctly, the program that never was has now been disclosed to the Demcratically controlled Congress who have now run to the press to allege a secret undisclosed counter-terrosim program existed. Okay, le me know when you have a story, otherwise, quit try to conitnually libel the prior administration with innuendo and speculation.

    July 12, 2009 11:14 am at 11:14 am |
  113. Avi Shlomo

    Speak up like what: Tell me lies tell me more little lies
    McCain has sold his sold his soul long ago. it starts like all other " REp Or dem" Cheaters. one who cheated on his wife has learned the arts of lying and as of Cheney, I have no idea that a VP has so much power like ordering agencies to carry out his unlawful activitities. mind you all this is done and continue to be done under pretenses of false patriotism to apease the right wing of the party.

    July 12, 2009 11:14 am at 11:14 am |
  114. john

    This is the tip of an iceburg that goes back to a much larger untold truth of 911. Let the truth come out but let us not act in judgement, rather let us love them that did these bad things, the truth will stand for itself and love will show how to lead... by example. Maybe then we can get back to helping each other, both locally and around the world with basic food, health, and shelter. Then we can all prosper together according to our efforts and abilities. A little of our war and killing money would instead provide so much needed help. Is it possible we could again focus on the positive rather than fear and revenge? Best wishes to all.

    July 12, 2009 11:15 am at 11:15 am |
  115. Lola

    Why should Cheney speak up...he just lies anyway! Always has always will!

    July 12, 2009 11:16 am at 11:16 am |
  116. barrystash

    Here is a compromise. For allowing an investigation of Cheney's actions that kept us safe, the opposition should be able to take a drug sniffing dog through the White House, including the private quarters.

    July 12, 2009 11:16 am at 11:16 am |
  117. guy

    And still nothing will be done about it, the criminals will still run free

    July 12, 2009 11:16 am at 11:16 am |
  118. I laugh at comrade Limbaugh daily

    Keep Gitmo open just for the Bush and Cheney Gang and any Democrat that went along with it,including the people that are still defending them.

    July 12, 2009 11:17 am at 11:17 am |
  119. to tcm,southern cousins and phoenix 86and fair is fair

    what do you think of your leader?or you are suddenly unavailable

    July 12, 2009 11:17 am at 11:17 am |
  120. John M. - New York, NY

    To barrystash,

    Dick Cheney, is that you?

    July 12, 2009 11:17 am at 11:17 am |
  121. Ancient Texan

    The libs are so consumed with HATE that they are willing to disclose any Top Secret Intelligence or Military secret to our enemies just to embarrass or take to a "show trial", anyone in the Bush Administration. Just keep in mind;what goes around , comes around. In the near future, Obama and Holder could be called to account for daily tramping on the Constitution. Barney Frank and Chris Dodd called to account for bring down the economy with their actions with Freddie/Fannie. Careful what you wish for.

    July 12, 2009 11:18 am at 11:18 am |
  122. Andy

    Creepy Cheney and the GOP at it again. This time it is not about adultery but over using their power. I knew it that the former VP can never be trusted.

    July 12, 2009 11:20 am at 11:20 am |
  123. Andrew Fenton

    By not having probes into the Bush Administrations illicit (by the standards of international law) behavior you leave hidden from the American voting public what sows seeds of discontent and US hatred outside the US zone of influence. If we want to world to move towards greater stability that is built upon a respect for persons we profess to hold dear in liberal democracies, and so a stability that does not come through the barrel of a gun, we need full disclosure of illicit behavior by representatives of those very democracies. This allows for a more rational debate about future international policies outside of the relevant zones of influence and a common ground of understanding that can be used to build bridges across current, intractable divides.

    July 12, 2009 11:20 am at 11:20 am |
  124. Erndog in Tx

    Maybe next time there is a 9-11 our beloved liberals will 'TURN THE OTHER CHEEK" and move on to bailing out another industry.

    July 12, 2009 11:21 am at 11:21 am |
  125. barrystash

    The Obamots have the feeling that Mr. Obama is now a lame duck because of the collapse of his presidency. Instead of looking at their mistakes and correcting they have turned up the hate machines and began attacking Palin, Cheney, Bush, Rush, etc. etc. Your attacks only make sense in the context of a failed Obama presidency.

    July 12, 2009 11:21 am at 11:21 am |
  126. t-joint

    To Army Veteran:

    A quick and gracious thank-you for your service to our country, but your facts need to be corrected. It was NOT the Dems giving away troop secrets, but FOX news' own Geraldo Rivera that was kicked out of Iraq for giving away troop movement during the early stages of the war. Also, Republican Pat McHenry of North Carolina apparently gave away info after posting a video of his visit to Iraq. This is not to mention all the Republicans in congress who voted AGAINST upgrading equipment and personal safety for our troop in Iraq and Afghanistan. Sorry, my friend, but if the troops have an enemy in the government it is surely not the democrats.

    As for Cheney "keeping us safe after 9/11"...if he and Condy had actually LISTENED to Richard Clark's reports regarding Al Qaeda to begin with, 9/11 doesn't happen in the first place.

    July 12, 2009 11:21 am at 11:21 am |
  127. BJs65

    Gee McCain, ya think?

    July 12, 2009 11:21 am at 11:21 am |
  128. the southern progressive

    as each passing day, the politics of past and present are pulling me towards isolationism... i am beginning to no longer care about the world outside our country.. it is time to build our great wall and say screw you to the outside world.. if we seal our borders then we will no longer need waterboarding or secret cia programs...just saying

    July 12, 2009 11:22 am at 11:22 am |
  129. John M. - New York, NY

    Funny how everyone on here who wanted to burn Pelosi at the stake for saying the CIA withheld information is now defending the CIa for withholding information.

    Good thing America has denied you a voice this past election. You had an 8 year window, and YOUBLEW IT!

    BTW, for everyone here blaming Obama already after only six months, you also have to blame Bush for 9/11 since he was in office for NINE months.

    Oh wait, I forgot the Republican mantra: It's never our fault.

    July 12, 2009 11:22 am at 11:22 am |
  130. Erndog in Tx

    Maybe next time there is another 9-11, our beloved liberals will 'TURN THE OTHER CHEEK' and continue bailing out another industry. Right on 'O B'

    July 12, 2009 11:23 am at 11:23 am |
  131. Ryan Indy

    Hey morons that is the point of a SECRET PROGRAM, if you tell the democrats they will be telling all of our enemies as they will do anything to help their cause even if that hurts America and helps our enemies. I have no problem with these programs if they were helping to protect us. Democrats are you so dumb to think Cheney wanted to just spy on you????? Or he just wanted to beat up a couple of terrorist......???? He was trying to use any means possible to protect americans.......I really hope the democrats go after him and Holder starts hearings on the past administration......It will only BLOW up right in their face....Democrats bring it on.....

    July 12, 2009 11:23 am at 11:23 am |
  132. Ed Wise

    This should come as no surprise. Bush, Cheney, Rove, Gonzalaz are as dirty as there has ever been in Washington. Its only a matter of time before all their dirt surfaces. The question is, Do they get a pass or do they get criminally charged for their misdeeds and misleading this country. My guess is they will skate with a slap on the hand. Washington is about protecting their own. God forbid you should prosecute one as you may be the next up for prosecution.

    July 12, 2009 11:24 am at 11:24 am |
  133. andyg

    The liberal whackos out in mighty force here. Hatred.....spiteful.....unAmerican. While the messiah is taking this country into a defenseless rat hole....all you can do is bash Bush and Cheney. Not an original thought in the bunch......in fact not a thought in the bunch. Collect your government checks....and the rest of the hard working Americans (like me) will carry the water for you.

    July 12, 2009 11:25 am at 11:25 am |
  134. Bryan

    Most people are too ignorant to know when their freedoms are being taken away...especially when they are intangible ones like freedom of speech. Now, make it a tangible one they can touch...like their handguns...then they start squawking.

    The Bush & Cheney gang took away far more of our intangible freedoms than any democrat has attempted with the freedom to bear arms.

    For those of you that still don't comprehend, take anything that came (or to come) out of Bush / Cheney's mouths about freedoms, substitute whatever the "freedom" word being discussed with the word "handgun". Only then would it probably piss you off.

    July 12, 2009 11:26 am at 11:26 am |
  135. facts only please

    Again, Cheney will claim that the Bush administration did what it had to do to prevent any more attacks on the U.S. after 9/11. But, the worst attack on U.S. soil in modern times occurred during the Bush administration, despite the availability of U.S. Intelligence that might have prevented it, and certainly should have alerted them that something was up, and NOT in Iraq. The Bush administration, much as it likes to take credit otherwise, didn't prevent further attacks. Terrorists can strike any time they want, and it's not the fault of either political party, or to the credit of either party that they have not chosen to attack again...so far. Many years passed between the first and second World Trade Center bombings.

    July 12, 2009 11:26 am at 11:26 am |
  136. babs in cali

    the posters in here complaining about the Dems need to get a grip. McCain is not a Dem. This isn't a way for the white house to change the subject. This is a member of the GOP saying that Dick is a liar. You can't really blam EVERYTHING on Obama. Dick's the evil liar here. I figure it's just the bitterness and the poor broken hearts that have the GOP members crying about the white house. Trust me, before this is over you'll have plenty to cry about in your own party.

    July 12, 2009 11:27 am at 11:27 am |
  137. Operation Crush Rush

    Thanks John.Lets not forget to Rush Limbaugh,he can broadcast his program from prison too,for defending those who commit Treason.

    July 12, 2009 11:28 am at 11:28 am |
  138. Cindy Barsher

    BULLETIN!! For any Democrats wanting to win in the next election: Ask your opponent what they think of Dick Cheney and his actions. Its a foolproof strategy!

    July 12, 2009 11:29 am at 11:29 am |
  139. Fatima

    To barrystash – People like you should scare the bejazoo out of me. I don't know how CNN allows duplicates from you.

    July 12, 2009 11:29 am at 11:29 am |
  140. Wilson

    More crazy liberals thowing dirt on Cheney about a program that never even got off the ground. Be serious theirs is the the generation and the same people that spit on our soldiers after Vietnam. They are too wrapped up the in protecting road side bombers and chasing personal politcial vendettas to protect our country. At least Cheney is a Patriot.

    July 12, 2009 11:29 am at 11:29 am |
  141. Valerie, Raleigh

    As a lifetime Republican turned Independent after 8 years of Bush/Cheney and the Far-right neocons, I am absolutely disgusted with what has been found our about the behavior of the Bush administration. Did they ever tell the truth? Did they ever do something just because it was the right thing to do for the country? They have acted shamefully, brought great hurt to the country and ruined our reputation around the world as good and decent people. Every one of them should be put under oath in a court of law. Is it any wonder that the once-proud Republican party is looked at as total losers.

    July 12, 2009 11:30 am at 11:30 am |
  142. GI Joe

    Stop the hate blogging – it's a sign of ignorance.

    Investigate whether or not the CONSTITUTION was upheld.

    INVESTIGATE.

    July 12, 2009 11:30 am at 11:30 am |
  143. DOC

    Mr. McCain,

    Why do you feel its important not to investigate the issue of torture in this country when you yourself were a victim of such harsh and cruel treatment yourself?

    Is there any real way, sir, that we can honestly walk away from this horrible human rights atrocity without shining a light on the truth?

    July 12, 2009 11:31 am at 11:31 am |
  144. Chris

    Dear Ignorant Masses:

    Please read more then just the headline, read the actual article.

    "The program was on-again, off-again and was never fully operational, but was rather, a tool put on the shelf that could have been used, the source said." Ffrom CNN.com, one link over.

    This is a NON-STORY!

    Sincerely,
    Literate News Reader Tired of the Hate and Libel

    July 12, 2009 11:32 am at 11:32 am |
  145. Woody Hamilton

    He(Cheney) had a job to do and he did it...he kept us safe. Hopefully we can say the same about the current administration.

    Let's not tell the enemy everything that we are doing.....

    Short memories, remember how "united" our "worried"polititicians looked in the several days that followed the attacks of September 11, 2001

    July 12, 2009 11:32 am at 11:32 am |
  146. barrystash

    John in NY – are you a Jihadist ?

    July 12, 2009 11:32 am at 11:32 am |
  147. Ida Camps

    I agree with McCain. Justice Departmen must investigate Cheney for war crimes and he must talk under oath.

    July 12, 2009 11:32 am at 11:32 am |
  148. Jack in Florida

    McCain is absolutely right! Bush and Cheney's administration was the most evil administration in our history and the future will prove that to be true. They both need to be arrested and sent to the Hague as war criminals with crimes against humanity!!!

    July 12, 2009 11:36 am at 11:36 am |
  149. Chris

    barrystash July 12th, 2009 11:21 am ET

    The Obamots have the feeling that Mr. Obama is now a lame duck because of the collapse of his presidency. Instead of looking at their mistakes and correcting they have turned up the hate machines and began attacking Palin, Cheney, Bush, Rush, etc. etc. Your attacks only make sense in the context of a failed Obama presidency.
    ---
    Erndog in Tx July 12th, 2009 11:23 am ET

    Maybe next time there is another 9-11, our beloved liberals will 'TURN THE OTHER CHEEK' and continue bailing out another industry. Right on 'O B'
    ---
    Ancient Texan July 12th, 2009 11:18 am ET

    The libs are so consumed with HATE that they are willing to disclose any Top Secret Intelligence or Military secret to our enemies just to embarrass or take to a "show trial", anyone in the Bush Administration. Just keep in mind;what goes around , comes around. In the near future, Obama and Holder could be called to account for daily tramping on the Constitution. Barney Frank and Chris Dodd called to account for bring down the economy with their actions with Freddie/Fannie. Careful what you wish for.
    -----–

    The arguments of the right wing...no facts, only anger. No solutions, only insults and sour grapes. Come on guys, a two party system is necessary in our country. But when the second party can't hold a civil conversation, nevermind providing any sound arguments to support their cause, they won't be viable for long. Admit you were wrong, and move on. Barack Obama was chosen over John McCain. Get over it. Please come back to reality. We need a serious conservative voice in this country, and I'm afraid the Republican party is talking itself right out of relevance.

    July 12, 2009 11:36 am at 11:36 am |
  150. barrystash

    I was once a Democrat. But when I saw my party doing everything it could to destroy our economy and national security I left the party. To me Obamism represents hate, lies, and treating the middle class like slaves. As Lincoln said, slave holders "wring their bread out of the sweat" of the enslaved. The Democrat party and Obama is doing that to the middle class in the country.

    July 12, 2009 11:36 am at 11:36 am |
  151. james gary

    Darth Cheney should be sent to prison for this and all of the other evil things he has done!! I hope GWB is right behind him, too!!

    July 12, 2009 11:38 am at 11:38 am |
  152. mark

    I love how the Con supporters are calling it 'the blame game' (Bev).
    You don't want to believe your neo-con party was a bunch of fascists. Always in the name of safety. You're too blind to see and too shallow to question. They're not being blamed, they've been unveiled!

    You Cons aren't about America, you're about your beloved crooked party. Oh...you're not crooks!

    July 12, 2009 11:39 am at 11:39 am |
  153. Mental midgit from phoenix

    I love Bush andCheney.We dont need no stinkin Constitution.

    July 12, 2009 11:39 am at 11:39 am |
  154. Cheney has always been a traitor to US

    All I want to hear about Cheney is when he is going to put in jail for the rest of his life for all the treasonous crimes he committed against America and our Constitution.

    Lying to Congress is a Federal offense. Lying to the United Nations and breaking International Law on torture is an international war crime.

    Lying about Iraq, murdering our soldiers for nothing, illegally wiretapping private citizens, torture, outting a CIA agent which could have led to her death, firing US Federal prosecutors who would not falsely accuse people Cheney did not like and intentionally lying to Congress over and over for 8 years – ALL DIRECT ORDERS FROM CHENEY

    I ask again – when is this corrupt, treasonous, war criminal going to jail?????

    McCain should shut up or actually, for once, show some integrity and call for Cheney to be held accountable.

    It is beyond me how a single American can trust one thing the Republican Party says or does. They destroyed this nation and want to blame it on everyone else. They DO NOTHING while our nation has been in crisis – except call for us to fail. They make up lies about President Obama every day. They obstruct our economic recovery. They are trying hard to keep us from having healthcare reform.

    Tell me again why anyone supports or trusts these characterless hypocrites???

    SEND CHENEY, RUMSFELD AND BUSH TO JAIL NOW!

    VOTE OUT ALL REPUBLICANS UP FOR REELECTION IN 2010.

    July 12, 2009 11:40 am at 11:40 am |
  155. Edmontonian

    In most Western countries, if some of the things that happened in the Bush administration had occured, the people responsible (i.e. Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Wolfowitz,) would be investigated.

    Why not in the United States? Are your presidents and vice-presidents considered above the law?

    July 12, 2009 11:40 am at 11:40 am |
  156. K

    it is long past time that the Bush administration be held accountable for their lies, deceit and misdeeds. A war was started with lies and now thousands have paid the price and still counting. Our civil liberties diminished. Big brother was watching and the extent of this is still not known. If a cirtizen breaks the law he/she pays the consquences. Is it a double standard of justice that only selective laws are enforced when it is a government official???? since this is the way it seems.

    July 12, 2009 11:40 am at 11:40 am |
  157. barrystash

    Fatima – there are a lot of "duplicates" that CNN allows to post. You just don't to read what I have to say because it conflicts with what you have been told. Reach out into the world and learn the facts.

    July 12, 2009 11:40 am at 11:40 am |
  158. Peter, San Francisco

    Cheney withholding information. Well, that doesn't surprise me one bit. Kudos to McCain for speaking out on this – there's one Republican with a moral compass.

    July 12, 2009 11:41 am at 11:41 am |
  159. DEMS ARE IDIOTS

    Peggy,
    You are a pathetic small minded person. The terrorist hit us on 9-11 not Bush not Cheney. I am sorry you get to stay in this great country. Your hatred for Bush is sickening. Yes the man did protect you for 7 1/2 yrs even if you didnt deserve that protection. You are sorry small person that I really feel sorry for.

    July 12, 2009 11:41 am at 11:41 am |
  160. justsane

    watching john mccain has become increasingly painful. what happened to the man of unquestioned principle and integrity? he actually looked david gregory in the eye and said that sarah palin didn't quit...~sigh~

    that aside, he is correct; cheney needs to be heard from, but not through the news media. former president cheney needs to address these charges under oath. i don't necessarily think that a public hearing is required (though it may be), but certainly he has things to answer for to officials in government.

    July 12, 2009 11:41 am at 11:41 am |
  161. LiLa

    For insight into how VP Cheney operated in the White House, read "Angler: The Cheney Vice Presidency" by Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter, Barton Gellman. It's time that Mr. Cheney learned that the ends do not justify the means.

    July 12, 2009 11:41 am at 11:41 am |
  162. Sylvia

    I agree with Ed Wise who commented previously. I would so love to have the entire Bush administration exposed for the arrogant criminals they were/are. Anyone who thinks that our constitutional rights were not eroded by them is really asleep. Most people I know were aware of what was being done to the American people in the name of "security", but we had a dictator and his team in charge, and they ran roughshod over every law and constitutional right on the books. I fear, like Ed, that they will not be fully exposed and if so, they will receive a slap on the wrist ,whereas if it was one of us, we'd land in jail so fast our head would spin. I am dismayed that Obama does not appear to want to pursue an investigation aggressively. What about the transparancy he promised us? It seems to be eroding. So it's left to us common folks to keep nudging our representatives in the right direction – to keep on squacking and demanding the light be shown on the criminal mind set in Washington. It's time for the good guys to win one for the team.

    July 12, 2009 11:42 am at 11:42 am |
  163. Chris

    Wilson July 12th, 2009 11:29 am ET

    More crazy liberals thowing dirt on Cheney about a program that never even got off the ground. Be serious theirs is the the generation and the same people that spit on our soldiers after Vietnam. They are too wrapped up the in protecting road side bombers and chasing personal politcial vendettas to protect our country. At least Cheney is a Patriot.
    --

    This kind of argument will make your party lose in the future. Please stop labeling people who don't agree with you as "crazy liberals". Your black-and-white world view is what's dividing this country. I know some liberals, and none of them spit on soldiers from Viet Nam, and none of them are interested in protecting road-side bombers. You're so far off the mark it's sad. Can we get back to civil discourse, at some point? Yelling does not equal debate, and this country was founded on disagreement, discourse, and compromise. Until you righties realize this and change your arguments, you will continue to lose.

    July 12, 2009 11:42 am at 11:42 am |
  164. Nevada Voter

    To Chris (who laughably thinks others are so ignorant):

    How foolish and naive are you that you believe they put "tools on the shelf" that they wouldn't use?
    By calling it an "on again, off again" program that was "never fully utilized" does not mean the tactics were not employed.
    It means they never implemented the tactics as fully-incorporated techniques during standard interrogations.
    Having it as a "tool on the shelf" allowed them to take it down and use it as they saw fit.

    If you believe they never did, you are the one drinking Kool-Aid, my friend.

    July 12, 2009 11:42 am at 11:42 am |
  165. GI Joe

    barrystash July 12th, 2009 11:36 am ET

    I was once a Democrat. But when I saw my party doing everything it could to destroy our economy and national security I left the party. To me Obamism represents hate, lies, and treating the middle class like slaves. As Lincoln said, slave holders "wring their bread out of the sweat" of the enslaved. The Democrat party and Obama is doing that to the middle class in the country.
    ******************************************
    I was once a Republican, but when I saw hate and fear being spread to the point of people wanting and yelling "KILL HIM", I could no longer go along with the republican mantra of control by fear and hate.

    July 12, 2009 11:43 am at 11:43 am |
  166. daryld

    how can anyone on these blogs argue that any party should be allowed to break our own laws in secret, because if they said anything the other party wouldn't keep their secret. Go to school and get some education. You need to go to congress, because like Bush himself kept saying over and over again.... "we our a country of laws" and he wanted other countries that he was invading to have systems of laws.

    Yet, he and Dick didn't actually believe it. They kept secrets because they were breaking the law. In addition, how much information does it actually give out to say that we have a secret surveillance system. These are going to be naturally paranoid people anyway since they live in repressive areas of the country and the majority of the world operates this way.

    July 12, 2009 11:43 am at 11:43 am |
  167. the southern progressive

    to afghan vet and army vet...

    attitudes like yours, despite your courageous service to our country, seems to me like the beginning of a military take-over of the government.. you know the kind that we tell the rest of the world, and thank god even some of our men in uniform, think is a bad thing..

    i for one,will be one american civilian standing up to a military coup.. as will millions of others.

    July 12, 2009 11:44 am at 11:44 am |
  168. Joseph

    Yes, why not? Let the liberals do whatever they want. Let's also begin to investigate Obama Administration's potential criminal activities for the last 6 months. Obama has wasted almost 2 trillions of taxpayers' money without CREATING a single job! No end is near. This amount of debt created by Obama already overpassed all America's accumulated debts for more than 200 years from all past administrations since George Washington's administration! Obama's reckless socialist acts will bankrupt America's economic and children' future, weaken American national security, and undermine American values and ways of life for generations to come.

    July 12, 2009 11:45 am at 11:45 am |
  169. barrystash

    Chris – look down through all of these posts. Obamots like you have called Cheney a "bastard", have called for killing Cheney by "execution", jailing of Republicans. So don't talk about lack of facts from people who you fear because they are saying something you can't refute.

    July 12, 2009 11:46 am at 11:46 am |
  170. Celine

    America has become self destructive and all in the name of Party politics.
    Your country is at war and this is not the time to expose such serious matters to gain political points and feed fodder to the pundits and media to have talking points.
    Get the facts , build a case and then follow the rule of law.

    In the war against terrorism , your enemy is not wearing a uniform , no , they use children , women and suicide bombers to deliver deadly weapons.
    For me 9/11 was one of the most horrific attacks I have ever seen and I will never forget it.
    How Bush was elected , not once but twice , is beyond me but he did keep your country safe for 8 years.
    I doubt it that your current government would have been as successfull.

    July 12, 2009 11:47 am at 11:47 am |
  171. the southern progressive

    to those who think the former administration kept us safe.. please open your eyes.. we are now more hated by our earthly brothers and sisters because of their lies, deceit and greed. you are all fooling yourself.. now i am not saying that the current administration is any better , but your ignorance of the last is just fueling the hate of our enemies.

    uncover your eyes, ears and mind....your ignorance is getting old.

    July 12, 2009 11:47 am at 11:47 am |
  172. E.C.Coleman

    Oh, REALLY?

    Why didn't YOU and the Rest of the GOP speak up in Defense of President Bush?

    You and the rest did absolutely nothing.

    Further, how do you, mr. mccain, know that any of this C.I.A. business is TRUE?

    This is another crude and stupid move by the Liberals who are upset because Sotomayor is not the right person for the Supreme Court.
    The libs are mean and hateful and will do anything to create another scandal.

    July 12, 2009 11:48 am at 11:48 am |
  173. chris3dog

    A month ago we couldn't get Cheney to shut up. Do we really want to get the "LIE MACHINE" started again?

    July 12, 2009 11:48 am at 11:48 am |
  174. Randy, San Francisco

    Shouldn't Cheney's attorney advise him to invoke his 5th amendment rights against self incrimination by remaining silent?

    July 12, 2009 11:48 am at 11:48 am |
  175. Samuel

    The Congress and Senate are ignorant to ECON 101 let alone military strategy! Why should they investigate anything other than try to play politics with any investigation. This does the country no good and would further drive a wedge between liberals and conservatives to the point of REVOLUTION.

    July 12, 2009 11:48 am at 11:48 am |
  176. Independant Voter

    What country are people posting on here from?
    Who are these traitors who are suggesting that anything Cheney or Bush did during their term is acceptable, so long as we chalk it up to protecting us?

    So, now these folks want to live in a country where the government officials can do anything they see fit, and we should not question whether their actions defy our constitution or our VALUES?

    Sounds like the defensive cries from the people who live in dictator-worshipping lands like the middle-east or Russia! Long live the dear leaders, eh?
    Come on. If they broke the law, then they did.
    If they violated our American standards, then they did.
    Let's not sit here and defend such actions.

    Our rules apply to all of us. Bush and Cheney, too.

    July 12, 2009 11:50 am at 11:50 am |
  177. Brook Mantia

    Why does Dick Cheney hate America? And why isn't he in jail yet? I took an oath to protect this country from enemies, foreign AND DOMESTIC, so I am acting on my duty to place Dickie Boy under citizen's arrest. Take him away boys...none too gently.

    July 12, 2009 11:50 am at 11:50 am |
  178. james gary

    When all the truth comes out (if it ever does), I firmly beleive that Cheney knew what was coming on 9/11 and let it happen so he would have his ticket to that oil pipeline he had been wanting for a long time, which would run through Afghanistan. The oil in Iraq was just icing on the cake for him. If Gore (real winner in 2000) had been in office, 9/11 would not have happened. Cheney has no heart and should spend the rest of his miserable life in jail!! Take Dubya with him, too!

    July 12, 2009 11:51 am at 11:51 am |
  179. Jerry in NC

    barrystash....sounds like you been hitting your stash way too much! How in the world do you and people like you spew that garbage from your lips and type it from your fingers???? The really sad and disgusting thing is, that you really believe the lies and feel the way you do. It's that type of thinking that has gotten this country and the world into the condition it is in now.

    July 12, 2009 11:51 am at 11:51 am |
  180. barrystash

    southern progressive – the Honduran military removed a President who decided to have an election to make him President for life. Nothing in the Honduran constituion allows for that. The Honduran supreme court and people of the President's own party asked the military to intervene. Chavez, the Marxist president for life in Venezuela was helping the Honduran president stage the vote. The Obamots supported the illegal election and even brought the would be dictator to Washington for consultation. If the Obama administration tries the same thing the military would be within their legal right to oust him. You Obamots can scream all you wish the word "coup" but a President who steps outside the law is himself staging a coup.

    July 12, 2009 11:52 am at 11:52 am |
  181. girlymen love the GOP

    Thanks John,looks like you may finally be free of the chip they put in your brain to use you since the 2000 election.TCM claims to be a vet,hahaha,he cant be more than fifteen years old.Hes on here everyday using multiple names.

    July 12, 2009 11:52 am at 11:52 am |
  182. Rob G.

    Whenever I read something, above and elsewhere, by a "conservative", the truth is stretched beyond all sanity. Do you really believe Obama, (note I say "Obama" and not his entire team. Limbaugh and his ilk like to "personalize" everything). Do you really believe Obama WANTS to bankrupt America? Do you think he wants that to be his legacy? Do you really believe this latest CIA program "never got off the ground"? Do you have a pipeline to information the rest of the world doesn't yet have? Where did you get your "facts"? Do you just hear and repeat "what feels good"? If Repubs can't find something to blame us for, each and every day of their lives, they make up our "plans" or our "thinking" and, then, criticize that. These people aggravate me no end. Study after study confirm we are more polarized, as U.S. citizens than ever before and it only serves to put many millions of dollars into Rush's bank account, his reward for spewing endless half-truths and misinformation only to be gobbled up by those who readily admit they don't believe "the mainstream media", ie., everyone but the propagandists who entertain them, daily, with their name-calling and commie-baiting.

    July 12, 2009 11:53 am at 11:53 am |
  183. jack

    9/11 information/ Intelligence WAS received by the former administration.
    which was Bush/Cheney.
    They IGNORED It.

    How can you say they kept us safe?
    They let it happen and then created a world of fear to keep people in place. 9/11 happened on Cheney's watch!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    July 12, 2009 11:54 am at 11:54 am |
  184. Chris

    Cheney spent the first half of this year trying to intimidate those who would question the Bush Administration into silence. He and his daughter, Liz, went to every t.v. show and speaking forum to frantically try to hold back the tide.

    Now the groundswell is too big.

    If Madoff got 150 years and never killed anyone, what should Cheney and Bush get for the lies, the billions in Halliburton contracts and, especially, the lives lost?

    July 12, 2009 11:55 am at 11:55 am |
  185. Rob G.

    My cousin was a lifetime high-up foreign service official married to a lifetime CIA employee. He worked in Afghanistan, Poland, and other past and present hotspots. He and his wife are appalled at the arrogance of the Bush administration and the damage they have done to our battle against terrorism. Can't you people see that we are making terrorists faster than we can kill them?

    July 12, 2009 11:56 am at 11:56 am |
  186. barrystash

    Rob G – to answer your first question, YES, Obama wants to bankrupt the country, and quickly. It creats dissatifaction amongst the masses while at the same time he pushes out his Marxist drivel. His entire adult life history up to now points the fact that he wants a radical Socialist state with him sitting at the top.

    July 12, 2009 11:57 am at 11:57 am |
  187. Keith in Austin

    The utter hatred you Liberals continue to spew in regard to Bush/Chaney is amazing. Comments like hanging them like Saddam for war crimes and comparing them to Hitler pales in comparison to the angst expressed by the GOP to Obama.

    Your Party won, remember? The issues of TODAY are not being addressed. As I see it, The Dems have 1.5 years of control in Congress and will lose the Whitehouse in 2012. Your time is running out and wasting time on this issue will add to your certain demise in the next elections.

    July 12, 2009 11:58 am at 11:58 am |
  188. travis

    Oh and here come the Obamamites. The short lived love affair with our new President of Hope is quickly coming to an end. Too bad we have to wait until 2012 for the Republican Party to be elected back into office. I just hope we make until then. God bless America.

    July 12, 2009 11:58 am at 11:58 am |
  189. Chris in SC (not to be confused in liberal Chris)

    To Nevada Voter:

    Your argument is based on zero facts and total speculation, just like the story, at this point supported by an "unnamed source." Your lack of facts, speculation and conspiracy theories are a great summation of political discourse on this webpage and in America. It is like watching dogs chase their tails.

    Bush and Cheney are no longer in office. However, let's distract and obfuscate from the glaring flaws of the current administration and revel in the hate for an administration that is no longer in office.

    Rather then analyze Obama's current policies in Iraq (Bush II if you haven't noticed) or Afghanistan or the lack of coherent policy towards Iran and N. Korea, or his fraudulent arguments for the pork filled and undirected stimulus plan that is being exposed day by day, or his love of apologizing for American arrogance while declaring we will control the world's climate, or his stance that no lobbyists would work in his administration and then hiring them left and right, or his attempt to stifle debate of his policies by continually blaming his decisions and that of his Congress on the prior administration.

    These are things worth discussing.

    July 12, 2009 11:58 am at 11:58 am |
  190. GI Joe

    Any time our government appears to have trampled on our Constituion, they need to be investigated. Without the hate and fear that are so rampant these days

    (Notice I didn't call anyone stupid, mean, ugly, hateful, or and Obamobot, Rethug, etc?)

    Stop the hate – it kills the hater inside and out, body and soul.

    Reason will win over hate and fear.

    July 12, 2009 11:58 am at 11:58 am |
  191. markus

    I am so sick of posts talking about "Libs" being mean and hateful by these neo-conservative nutjobs.

    You fools have your heads stuck so far in the sand, Cheney could come out and reveal the full details of all the morally reprehensible wrongs that occurred under his- oh, I'm sorry, under Bush's- watch, and you would probably still rush to their defense. Sad. I don't know how people like Cheney, Limbaugh, Hannity, Palin, Gingrich and so many others- and those who mindlessly support them becuse they're for good ol' fashioned White-American apple pie, supposedly- can sleep at night with a clear conscience.

    To stubbornly insist you are right when every shred of evidence puts you in the wrong takes a special, scary kind of person...

    AND, if the details of this reveal that Pelosi was telling the truth, be prepared to eat SEVERE crow...

    July 12, 2009 11:59 am at 11:59 am |
  192. gary davis Harbor Oregon

    I believe john doesn't know much about it
    but I do believe Cheney is about to get his hands slaped
    and if the truth does come out .maybe we won't have to listen to Cheney's lies any more . and we can move on in a productive way
    and bring back honesty to our government .
    CHANGE IS WORKING
    thank you too the president and everyone that is helping to bring our economy and lives back to better place

    July 12, 2009 11:59 am at 11:59 am |
  193. Tom Liebengood

    Your people weren't worried about bringing up every little detail about the Lewensky/Clinton affair. This is a far more important matter and you want to keep it quiet for the sake of our "image". Double standard Mr. McCain and a weak argument–not surprising! We need to know the truth and facts when our rights are at stake.

    July 12, 2009 11:59 am at 11:59 am |
  194. Samuel

    How many times was Bin laden offered to Bill "bj" Clinton? I guess we really know who was asleep at the wheel and let 911 happen.

    July 12, 2009 12:00 pm at 12:00 pm |
  195. barrystash

    jack – again, the only rationale for what you say is if Obama is in a political freefall. Bush did not stage a coup to remain in control. He knew a new administration would take over. He and Cheney, despite the hate speech spewed here by Obamots, did nothing wrong. The only thing they have to hide is what may be helpful to the jihadists and Marxists who want to destory our country.

    July 12, 2009 12:00 pm at 12:00 pm |
  196. uncle Jimbo

    Is it not time to have the Congressional Sgt. At Arms arrest Cheney, Rove, Wolfowitz, Rumsfeld, and the rest of the gang of thieves. How many more wrong-doings will it take ? The Bush/Cheney regime has destroyed our economy and our good standing around the world.
    No country trusts us anymore because of them.

    Arrest them and let the trials begin – Our Country will be stronger as a result.

    July 12, 2009 12:01 pm at 12:01 pm |
  197. JAM

    It's way past time to put Cheney and Bush under oath.

    Make, Them. Accountable.

    July 12, 2009 12:02 pm at 12:02 pm |
  198. fbrown

    It is amazing that the republcan view supporters who claim to have a edge on polcal belef are the first to not only commit hypocrisy when it comes to the bible but also are so quick to try and justify the theology they believe in. How could any sane person believe that violating the law is ok. Whenever they try to support any and everyting that Cheney did that was wrong for this nation, it reinforces my belief that these people are the worst because they hide behide the bible but don't believe in the actual spoken words of the bible. We are a nation of laws and we don't pick the ones that we want to abide by . That is what real character is all about. I would have some respect for republcians if they were not so one sided on everything.

    July 12, 2009 12:02 pm at 12:02 pm |
  199. Andrew

    Ooh, we're all so angry, aren't we? Republicans want to prosecute only Democrats and Democrats want to prosecute only Republicans, for crimes given bipartisan approval! Meanwhile, Obama's security policies (if you actually reasearch them and don't just swallow what the partisan pundits feed you) are mostly the same as Bush's.

    Keep pointing fingers, Americans! Don't look in your mirrors! It's all the other guys' faults! All you need is the right dictator-in-chief/father figure!

    Where would American politics be without hypocrisy and psychological projection?

    July 12, 2009 12:04 pm at 12:04 pm |
  200. Anonymous

    To Rob G:

    A. You blame polarization on Rush. That may be true, but make sure you blame Michael Moore, too.

    B. You name-call people for name-calling.
    "...the propagandists who entertain them, daily, with their name-calling and commie-baiting"

    July 12, 2009 12:05 pm at 12:05 pm |
  201. NVa Native

    Bush/Cheney did not keep us safe in 2001.

    The Repugs are weak and cowardly.
    Otherwise why do they fear everything so much?
    They are afraid of gays, lesbians, liberals, people without handguns, President Obama, Mrs. Obama, clean water, clean air, solar power, wind power, educated children, single parent children, poor children, children without health care, children with independent thought, independent thought, free speach, free anything.....

    July 12, 2009 12:06 pm at 12:06 pm |
  202. GI Joe

    Samuel July 12th, 2009 12:00 pm ET

    How many times was Bin laden offered to Bill "bj" Clinton? I guess we really know who was asleep at the wheel and let 911 happen.
    ******************************************************
    Same old prejudice by the "R" side – ignore the article, go back and dig up a different hate/fear story about the "other side".

    Won't work.

    INVESTIGATE to get the truth and protect our CONSTITUTION – JUST LIKE IN THE PAST.

    July 12, 2009 12:06 pm at 12:06 pm |
  203. Why is EVERYTHING someone elses business?

    The Republicans have announced today
    they are releasing new websites
    starting on August the 1st, 2009, in order
    to try and connect with the American people:

    Quitter.dum – "Let'em guess what you're doing". (NO TEXTING REQUIRED!)

    MaceBook.dum – When "throwing the book" @em' is no longer harsh enough.

    MySpays.dum – FOR GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES ONLY!
    For infidelitus members who have sexually removed their spouse(s) and replaced them with another.

    Gaggle.dum – Silence techniques to use when confronted with a lie.

    Waterboarding.dum – How to survive a shinking ship without taking others with you.

    iTune.dum – Shutting out background noise in order to hear the voices in ones head.

    See'n'in.dum – FOXNEWS! "No truth, Just lies..." REMEMBER, we're WATCHING you!)

    July 12, 2009 12:07 pm at 12:07 pm |
  204. Chloe in Chatsworth, CA

    barrystash July 12th, 2009 11:36 am ET: "I was once a Democrat..."

    Really? Why? Would love to hear the principles of the Democratic Party you agreed with enough to call yourself a Democrat.

    July 12, 2009 12:08 pm at 12:08 pm |
  205. Ted D.

    Well said, Rob G. The propoganda disseminated by the likes of Limbaugh and consumed daily by conservative listeners under the banner of "truth" is appalling. How and why the latter continue to believe Limbaugh rather than to reflect thoughtfully for themselves about the issues is beyond reason. Perhaps it's simply easier to believe falsehoods than it is to do the hard work of becoming informed and of facing the reality that one has been a dupe to self-interested political hacks.

    July 12, 2009 12:08 pm at 12:08 pm |
  206. ace

    It is unfortunate that an investigation regarding who ordered the torture interrogation techniques doesn't have the support it needs, however i do believe we will see an investigation involving the Cheney's ordering the CIA to withhold information from congress.

    July 12, 2009 12:10 pm at 12:10 pm |
  207. Greg Scanlon-San Francisco

    8 years of deliberately lying to Congress. And orchestrated by Dick Cheney, Vice President. And who knew if Bush knew about it and just looked the other way?

    Now that's a crime. Contempt of Congress, conspiracy, and God knows what else based on the coverup.

    If Pelosi and crew still thinks Cheney should not be prosecuted, then she should overlook all crimes committed.

    July 12, 2009 12:11 pm at 12:11 pm |
  208. cody

    I hate this notion from McCain and others that we shouldn't investigate what happened because it would make us look bad. No. What makes us look bad is that we are afraid to deal with what we did because it might affect our image.

    In the very short term, exposing these things would harm our standing, yes. But in the long term, if Obama handled the release of the information adeptly, other countries would see it as a sign that we are sincerely trying to put those things behind us.

    July 12, 2009 12:13 pm at 12:13 pm |
  209. Libertarian

    So I hear a lot you saying we should not investigate any of the Cheney/Bush crimes? Should we ignore them??? Would we a murder case just because the prime suspect moved to another State? Of course not....if there's a crime it needs to be investigated or there are no reprocussions of any Policitians!

    July 12, 2009 12:14 pm at 12:14 pm |
  210. suzyku

    Isn't it convenient that mcsame knows "little" about what Cheney is being accused of? mcsame knows little about everything and a lot about nothing! It's past time for this old fool to retire IF he can remember which house he lives in!!

    July 12, 2009 12:14 pm at 12:14 pm |
  211. ace

    what is also disturbing to me is, the often utilized justification from the right, that revealing the wrongs that our government and country have committed is the wrong thing to de because it gives our country a bad image. The reality is that if America is to be considered to have any moral standing in the world, it must recognize and take responsibility for the wrongs we do so we can avoid commiting them in the future.

    July 12, 2009 12:15 pm at 12:15 pm |
  212. girlymen love the GOP

    Now you know why the hotshot cowboys never caught bin ladin,they didnt want to,he was their ace in the hole.

    July 12, 2009 12:16 pm at 12:16 pm |
  213. JodyG

    Sounds like the Bush administration took a Nixon play book and used it to run (or ruin) the country. Nice going republicans!

    July 12, 2009 12:17 pm at 12:17 pm |
  214. larry

    I believe john doesn't know much about it
    but I do believe Cheney is about to get his hands slaped
    and if the truth does come out .maybe we won't have to listen to Cheney's lies any more . and we can move on in a productive way
    and bring back honesty to our government .
    CHANGE IS WORKING
    thank you too the president and everyone that is helping to bring our economy and lives back to better place
    ===========================
    My guess is that Chaney is in it up to the tip of his (brown) nose. Hanging that worthless sob would be a waste of good hemp...but let's do it anyway. Ridding the world of one more slime bucket would-be dictator is reason enough. Hope I'm there to here his neck snap...couldn't happen too a more deserving chump.

    July 12, 2009 12:20 pm at 12:20 pm |
  215. kman821

    DICK is a liar, a criminal and an all-around self-centered evil man. And Liz, she's merely the spawn of the demon seed!

    July 12, 2009 12:20 pm at 12:20 pm |
  216. GI Joe

    Hmmmmm – was all this brought up now to deflect from Ensign investigation?

    Just asking .............................................

    July 12, 2009 12:21 pm at 12:21 pm |
  217. buckwheat

    He should keep the pressure on till Pelosi comes clean. This is a smoke screen created by the Democrats to get he heat off her and her accusations.The fact remains she was briefed on the waterboarding and she denied it. Lets clear all of it up at one time.

    July 12, 2009 12:22 pm at 12:22 pm |
  218. william gair

    Transparency! I'm sick of this! Prosecute! We will look much better in the eyes of the world and feel better/proud of ourselves if we take responsibility for our mistakes. Grow up America!

    July 12, 2009 12:24 pm at 12:24 pm |
  219. kensington

    It's hilarious to see all these idiot neo-cons/republicans out here justifying torture programs and warrant-less wiretap programs because "it kept us safe." The job of the President and the Executive Branch is not to keep Americans safe. It's to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States.

    Everyday we make decisions that allow Americans to die. For instance, lower the speed limit to 1 mph, and traffic fatalities will shoot down to to ~ 0%. But instead, we allow the speed limit to be set at 65 mph and 70 mph.

    These programs may have saved lives in some abstract concept, but that isn't the point. By using the guise of "national security" the Bush and Cheney administration has pretty much evaded judicial standards of review and turned the Constitution into a long forgot about document.

    July 12, 2009 12:24 pm at 12:24 pm |
  220. buckwheat

    Do you ever notice that a Liberal comment is never waiting on "moderation'?

    July 12, 2009 12:24 pm at 12:24 pm |
  221. Aaron in Seattle

    Everybody has known for the past 8 years that Cheney's going to wind up in jail for war crimes, along with Rumsfeld. It's only a matter of time. Let's get it on and get it done with before Cheney dies of a heart attack.

    July 12, 2009 12:24 pm at 12:24 pm |
  222. justin greewood

    I'm always surprised how quickly the right will rush to the defense of a man having obviously committed such reprehensible acts. Think of your country, stop rooting for your team. McCain states that the images from abu are the greatest recruiting tool imaginable for AQ, what he and most on the right seem to be ignore is that the problem isn't the photos, it's the actual policies and actions. Those are the real recruiting tools. And by defending these actions and the people responsible for them, they are in effect proving AQ to be right when they accuse the u.s. of violent intervention and disregard for anyone but them. The axis of evil is closer than you think.

    July 12, 2009 12:24 pm at 12:24 pm |
  223. HOW MUCH MR. COMMANDER N CHIEF.

    I wonder just how much damage Dickie Cheney and Company has to have done before BARACK H. OBAMA (the COMMANDER N CHIEF) will get the guts to file some kind of war crimes charges against them!!! I, who voted for Barack Obama, am totally disgusted with the way he has (has not) delt with this bunch of thugs that stole the White House from the people and tried their very best to totally ruin OUR COUNTRY. I almost wonder if Obama and his tiny close knit group, are part of an ongoing attempt by a larger, unnamed power team, to strangle the life out of the American people. What must we do to convince Obama and company that we the people mean business when we ask his team to bring Cheney and his group of thugs to justice ?????

    July 12, 2009 12:24 pm at 12:24 pm |
  224. Francis Bunting

    I don't believe Cheney withheld the sureveillnce program from everyone in Congress. I'm sure the intelligence committe was aware of it. I do believe he did not want everyone in Congress to know about nor do I think they had a legislative right to know. The Congress leaks an awful lot to the media under anonymous sources. I wish more time was spent investiagting and prosecuting those in the Congress who violate their security clearances by leaking information to the press. Sececy is a must with these fools. They seem to do their best to sabotage this country. That applies to both parties.

    July 12, 2009 12:26 pm at 12:26 pm |
  225. Chris in SC (not to be confused in liberal Chris)

    What is the name of the program?

    What did the program entail?

    Did the program rise to the level of Congressional oversight?

    Was the program utilized in anyway, ever?

    Why is Panetta disclosing now?

    Why is a top secret program being leaked to the press?

    Just some questions from those of use who want more then speculation and conspiracy theories.

    if you don't know the answers, then you don't have sufficient knowledge or credibility to comment.

    July 12, 2009 12:26 pm at 12:26 pm |
  226. Marie

    Hey mccary and dick vader – both of you need to shut up. You and your cronies continue to blame everything on President Obama, but where were you in the last eight years when your party was running the country into the ground?
    mccain was on Meet the Press this morning. He is a liar and needs to come clean about his choice of vp in 2008. He will "not endorse her because she is not running". Really? Maybe it's because her hate and lies cost you the election?
    The people in AZ need to wake up and get rid of him in the next election. This man picked that woman because they are both nuts and full of themselves.

    July 12, 2009 12:27 pm at 12:27 pm |
  227. buckwheat

    If Bush and Cheny were liars does it mean we have truth in the White House now? CZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZARS

    July 12, 2009 12:27 pm at 12:27 pm |
  228. annie s

    Enough! It is time for a full investigation into the abuses of the Bush/Cheney administration. Senator McCain is wrong to worry about hurting America' s image by investigating. American's image was destroyed by the actions and arrogance of Bush/Cheney – a serious investigation and the filing of charges if required will help to restore our standing in the rest of the world.

    July 12, 2009 12:27 pm at 12:27 pm |
  229. James, Ho. TX

    Its believed tha Bernie Madoff is in need of a Cell Mate ! Checkers, Anyone?

    July 12, 2009 12:28 pm at 12:28 pm |
  230. Lynne

    It will be very interesting to see who Cheney, Bush and Rove were really eavesdropping on. I can almost guarantee it was people they perceived as political enemies (e.g. the Spitzer affair) rather than actual terrorists. Remember Rove was trying desperately to establish a permanent Republican majority (ala the failed 1000 year Reich by the Nazis) and would do anything to achieve it. Using national security as a "screen" played perfectly into their modus of operation.

    July 12, 2009 12:29 pm at 12:29 pm |
  231. obama can't find chechnya on a map

    meanwhile down to earth Obama is running this country into to ground

    July 12, 2009 12:30 pm at 12:30 pm |
  232. Alex

    Wait a minute John... I thought that our actions have no effect on al Queda recruiting? Which one is it?

    July 12, 2009 12:30 pm at 12:30 pm |
  233. Anthony McMahon

    Buckwheat: Let mne get this straight: the VP withhold information from the people of this country and the Democrats are engaged in a conspiracy to protect Pelosi? That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard. The VP of the US ddecided within his sole authority to take away yours and my rights as guaranteed under the US Const (which Justice Scalia says is not meant to be a flexiblle document, I may add) and, yet, what Pelosi knew or may have known about waterboarding is realy the big block buster issue. Stop listening to pundits and start thinking on your own. This was a crime. Period. Dick Cheney has done more to embolden terrorists and give them a rallying cause than they temselves could. He's trampled the very legal protections we, as Americans, have fought so hard for and treats them as if they are some optional set of guidelines that one can either choose or not choose to abide by. Wake up, brother.

    July 12, 2009 12:32 pm at 12:32 pm |
  234. lloyd roberts, Jamaica, NY

    To Samuel, you and your repub faithful forget one thing. We were attacked on 9/11 by 19 hijackers, 15 of which came from one country, Saudi Arabia. Not one from Iraq. In 1993 during the first attack on the WTC in NY it was Ramsey Yusef and his merry band of Pakistani terrorists. Again, not one Iraqi. The only terrorist put behind bars for terrorism from a foreing nation was Sheik Abdel Rahman, an Egyptian, again not one Iraqi involved. And guess what Samuel, Bin Laden is a Saudi, not an Iraqi. So why did your lord and saviour George Bush attack Iraq. You think clinton had something to hide. Give me a break. The Bush's and Cheney's have been taking orders from the Saudis their whole careers. They let us down, not Clinton. Stop being a child and taking sides. There's only one side I care about and that is this great country and the repubs are just as responsible as the dems for flushing us down the drain

    July 12, 2009 12:34 pm at 12:34 pm |
  235. Matthew Dougherty

    The American public permitted or looked the other way for eight years. The attitude being, preemptive strikes, torture, and the end justifies the means is our superior right as a nation above all other nations. Being otherwise was considered unpatriotic and subversive. And now we find out they were lying to us? Surprise, they are breaking the constitution to save America; I am reminded of the Steppenwolf song Monster. Do we stay within the checks and balances of the constitution, or do we let the super-patriots rule us as sheep? If the citizenry abdicates its responsibility to control the government, the government without governance will act with reckless disregard.

    July 12, 2009 12:34 pm at 12:34 pm |
  236. Shelly

    Moral of the story: Obama is a lame duck, let's see if his administration will bring Bush and Cheney to face justice. The repugnants are traitors of this nation and everyone involved should be brought to justice.

    However, Obama doesn't have the cojones to lift a finger.

    We are doomed with Democrats and Republicans. We need more political parties. Two parties alone does not represent a democratic society.

    July 12, 2009 12:35 pm at 12:35 pm |
  237. GI Joe

    Look at it this way.

    If it was Obama/Biden, the investigation would be proceeding full-speed ahead.

    No matter which party affiliation, if our Constitution is NOT upheld, or is Abused, INVESTIGATE instead of leaving it to people's imaginations.

    We need the truth.

    July 12, 2009 12:35 pm at 12:35 pm |
  238. Dixon

    This misleading and lying by Cheney is only the begining of what we will find in the future. I believe Cheney is somehow related to or mentored by Agnew.

    July 12, 2009 12:37 pm at 12:37 pm |
  239. Sam

    yes, get Cheney to talk...but out of which side of his mouth?

    Cheney talking will add the last nail to the coffin of the GOP.

    July 12, 2009 12:38 pm at 12:38 pm |
  240. Sully

    Wasn't the whole Lewinski thing all about upholding the law and that the President wasn't above the law and committing perjury?

    I am a party Democrat but I was against Clinton during that. I agreed that the President can not be above the law and if he had committed a crime he needed to be punished.

    Same goes with Cheney.

    It's really not that difficult a story to understand.

    If a Democrat like Eliot Spitzer gets caught breaking the law, he should be prosecuted. Same with a Republican.

    And if they don't find Cheney guilty of anything he should be acquitted.

    Nothing to do with politics. It has to do with the law of the land... the laws that so many Republicans wanted to uphold in the 1990s.

    So please let's stop calling this partisan hypocrisy

    July 12, 2009 12:38 pm at 12:38 pm |
  241. Sully

    Dixon, Cheney is a hell of a lot smarter than Agnew was.

    July 12, 2009 12:39 pm at 12:39 pm |
  242. palmer

    The truth is, the USA will regain the respect of the world if we hold those who broke the law accountable for their actions. The world respects justice. Justice it must be.

    July 12, 2009 12:39 pm at 12:39 pm |
  243. PAUL

    Well nothing surprises me.. Cheney is a real scumbag and he deserves to share a cell with Bernie Madoff in that beautiful prison in FlorenceColorado. I am sure they will make a delightful couple.

    July 12, 2009 12:39 pm at 12:39 pm |
  244. Samuel

    To GI Joe- Is that the same Constitution that Obama trampled on when he promised Russia to reduce OUR nuclear arms stockpile w/out it even being ratified by the Senate?

    July 12, 2009 12:40 pm at 12:40 pm |
  245. Nobody Asked Larry But...

    Typical dirty politics – any and all players have dirty hands – Cheney, Bush, Rove, Rumsfeld, McCain, Pelosi and her gang, Republicans, Democrats, Independents, et al. Run for cover clowns. Let the finger pointing begin.

    July 12, 2009 12:42 pm at 12:42 pm |
  246. John

    Why are the Republicans on here so angry?

    I've heard Cheney talk more on camera OUT of office than in the last 8 years in office.

    Don't blame CNN for posting this. What, should we go the FOX route and not mention it at all?

    Cheney did, after all, start this. No one asked him to open his worthless mouth in the first place.

    July 12, 2009 12:42 pm at 12:42 pm |
  247. Helen, NY

    This is a distraction tool from democrats. They are trying to hijack hearings for Judge Sotomayor and also the current economic woes. Democrats have all crooked ways. Now they are asking for investigation on this. Waste of tax-payers money. Even CIA director is involve din this. Losers.

    July 12, 2009 12:43 pm at 12:43 pm |
  248. bd

    Why do you think they call him " DICK?"

    July 12, 2009 12:43 pm at 12:43 pm |
  249. Chloe in Chatsworth, CA

    Wilson July 12th, 2009 11:29 am ET: "...theirs is the the generation and the same people that spit on our soldiers after Vietnam."

    Sir, you don't know what you're talking about. I was there. I demonstrated against the Vietnam war in Los Angeles and San Francisco. I was, yes, spit on, screamed at and physically threatened. But neither I nor anyone I knew blamed the soldiers and sailors doing the actual fighting. It was the old men who put them there, and cynically left them there long after they realized that the war was hopeless, that we hated.

    And it's no different today–everyone I know who identifies themselves as Democratic, Liberal or Progressive has nothing but the deepest respect for our fighting men and concern for their welfare.
    Please remember, it was Liberals who raised a stink about the shockingly inadequate body and vehicle armor in Iraq, and the Bush Administrations Secretary of War, one of the despicable old men who put them there, who shrugged "You go to war with the army you have."

    July 12, 2009 12:44 pm at 12:44 pm |
  250. GI Joe

    I'm registered Independent now for a reason.

    I'm writing my representatives in DC on a regular basis to let them know my thoughts.

    On this one, I'll say that I believe our Constitution was abused and it should at least be investigated. If no abuse, move on. If abuse, then prosecute (trial). If found guilty in a trial, punishment.

    Maybe everyone should email or write. Does a lot more than these blogs. Our representatives don't read these blogs.

    July 12, 2009 12:44 pm at 12:44 pm |
  251. Lt.Dan

    We must never question Bush/Cheney, there are Republicans, keep us safe, and can do no wrong.

    Palin/Cheney 2012

    July 12, 2009 12:45 pm at 12:45 pm |
  252. Anonymous

    As I stated earlier when commenting on "Shooters" comments on Fox concerning America being less safe under President Obama. Cheney should just be quiet and be thankful that he doesnt also have "Convicted Felon" proceeding his name. It looks like there's a possibility that may come to pass.

    July 12, 2009 12:45 pm at 12:45 pm |
  253. HDObsiye

    Bush administration did a lot of damage to America's credibiliy here and overseas. We should just fix it, make laws that criminalize such inhumane activities, and go on with our lives.

    July 12, 2009 12:46 pm at 12:46 pm |
  254. Matt

    Willingly abusing power to break the fundamental laws of the Constitution, a document that our elected officials are SWORN to uphold, is treason. Plain and simple.

    July 12, 2009 12:50 pm at 12:50 pm |
  255. SoSaysSam

    barrystash, time to take your medication.

    Cheney belongs in jail for what he has done to this country. Rubs take back the white house 2012... LOL their candidates are all perverts, adulterers, quitters and whack jobs... welcome to family values Republican style.

    July 12, 2009 12:51 pm at 12:51 pm |
  256. GI Joe

    Samuel July 12th, 2009 12:40 pm ET

    To GI Joe— Is that the same Constitution that Obama trampled on when he promised Russia to reduce OUR nuclear arms stockpile w/out it even being ratified by the Senate?
    ********************
    There it is again. Change the subject. Deflect Deflect Deflect

    July 12, 2009 12:52 pm at 12:52 pm |
  257. SF

    Quick Cheney jump back in that wheelchair and have McCain push you on that long downward hill to nowhere directed by Palin! After all, isn't that what the GOP thinks is best for America?

    July 12, 2009 12:52 pm at 12:52 pm |
  258. Guenter Knop

    Cheney should go on trial to show the rest of the world and politicians in this country that you can't do as you like. There are rules and you obey to the rules. This country is telling the rest of the world what " democracy " is and asks everybody else to follow their lead. Make it a lead according to the constitution not criminals like Cheney, Nixon and Oliver North.

    July 12, 2009 12:52 pm at 12:52 pm |
  259. lol

    How many times was Bin laden offered to Bill "bj" Clinton? I guess we really know who was asleep at the wheel and let 911 happen.
    ----------------–

    Read/google the Phoenix Memo before you spout off your foolishness . . .

    July 12, 2009 12:53 pm at 12:53 pm |
  260. daunt

    Cheney needs to speak up. McCain needs to shut up.

    July 12, 2009 12:54 pm at 12:54 pm |
  261. WAW

    I watched all the watergate hearings (most all anyway) and heard Republicans lie and lie again util Howard Baker called for the truth. Now here we are again, same people and same lies... Focus on the Family, Jerry Farwell's sons, Republicans in Congress, Republican governors, local and state Republicans should step up like Howard Baker did and ask for the truth from their selected leaders. The Truth shall make you free... search for it. Republicans must take the lead or admit the lie.

    July 12, 2009 12:55 pm at 12:55 pm |
  262. Steve in Kentucky

    Time for Dick Cheney to stand trial ... at last.

    July 12, 2009 12:55 pm at 12:55 pm |
  263. Karen,

    McCain you are living in a dream world like usual.
    Hearing from Cheney and believing it, you believe in the Toothfairy too.

    July 12, 2009 12:56 pm at 12:56 pm |
  264. Andi

    GI Joe – I don't believe the Constitution makes any reference to how many nuclear weapons we should have.

    July 12, 2009 12:56 pm at 12:56 pm |
  265. wasif

    I respect McCain and what he has done for the country but as being Muslic American and living in free country where according to consitution nobody is above law, we deserve to know the truth. I am sorry whenever something goes wrong in some muslim countries we all say, so terorrists strike again or this a terorrist country, we need to go attack on this country to save American lives.

    Now when the truth is coming out that its the politicains with full lies who lied then and liying again about what wrong or right. Mr. McCain what image are you talking about? Don't the world leaders to know that in America Justice is priorty is number one. Are we going to lie again to protect thugs like Bush and Dick..... What about all of those innocents that have died? Don't you think their families deserve justice too? or are we talking about " The Justice" that seems right to politians only.

    July 12, 2009 12:56 pm at 12:56 pm |
  266. Andi

    sorry, GI – that was for Samuel, not you

    July 12, 2009 12:57 pm at 12:57 pm |
  267. Georgia

    Cheney definitely has the correct 1st name – Dick. He needs to be tried for abuse of power for trying to circumvent 2 other branches of government!

    July 12, 2009 12:57 pm at 12:57 pm |
  268. Dave A&M

    Samuel- Nice strawman. All US treaties have be ratified by the congress before they are put into action. Russia knows and so does the Obama. Thier agreement on extending START is not official until the congress approves it.

    July 12, 2009 12:57 pm at 12:57 pm |
  269. Texas Girl

    So long CNN. I won't be reading your liberal biased reporting and monitoring of blogs. Seems like you only want people to see what your idiot liberal friends think. God help this country – since the fools that post on this website are clueless and can't seem to stay on point.

    July 12, 2009 12:57 pm at 12:57 pm |
  270. George

    This is all just a smokescreen for this recession and spiraling unemployment. I tell you this I have owned a business a long time and never saw it this bad with Reagan, Clinton, or Bush 1 or 2. We have wasted so frivilous money on that ridiculous stimulus and now the Dem's are ramming through healthcare and cap & trade. Obama is ruining our country and he is no LEADER.

    July 12, 2009 12:58 pm at 12:58 pm |
  271. Donkey Party

    So opening a criminal investigation of the covert dealings of the Bush Administration would make for a good Al-queda "recruiting tool", but leaving GITMO open doesn't??? Way to show your stripes Senator John Doofus Warmonger McAncient.

    July 12, 2009 01:00 pm at 1:00 pm |
  272. Frank

    Does this REALLY surprise anyone?

    Cheney lied to Congress and the American people for years. I'd personally like to see him tried, convicted, and thrown in prison for the rest of his life if only to show future leaders that they can be held accountable for their crimes. I doubt it will happen, but I can still dream.

    July 12, 2009 01:03 pm at 1:03 pm |
  273. David from WI

    The delusional Bush is an idiot Cheney is a war criminal loons did far more damage to the US image than any real wold policies.

    People get confused on reality and fantasy regarding the past administration with what was rumored and what DID happen during the last eight years.

    Were was I for the last eight years. I was embarrassed for those in our country that let their paranoia get the better of them (as happens with the emotionally sensitive left when a non Democrat is in the white house)

    July 12, 2009 01:04 pm at 1:04 pm |
  274. Frank

    "McCain said a special investigation would only publicize 'bad things' that harm America's image in the world"

    Yeah Senator Manchurian Candidate, that what happens in a free and open society.

    July 12, 2009 01:05 pm at 1:05 pm |
  275. Z

    So.. Dickey Boy.....Lets put you before Congress and let's say....water board you to get the truth. It's not torture according to your book so you and your republicKLANS should not have a problem with that.

    Wow....the TV ratings would go though the roof......80+ share rating....LOL

    July 12, 2009 01:05 pm at 1:05 pm |
  276. palmpear

    Chris in SC, you idiot. Ever hear of the Mark Klein redact? Or how about operation Able Danger? Or maybe Echelon? We see you still have your head up your dark dank tube. How does it smell up there you jerk. Try using an internet search engine, if you are bright enough, nah your not.

    July 12, 2009 01:05 pm at 1:05 pm |
  277. republicans hate america

    there is no difference between terrorist and the Rush Limbaugh Party

    July 12, 2009 01:06 pm at 1:06 pm |
  278. John Murphy

    This has the look and feel of Tricky Dick and the conspiracy to hide Watergate and the Dirty Tricks Squad. They do what they want regardless of the cost. 4324 American dead in a war begun under false pretenses. There were no WMD's and no connection between Saddam and Al Quaeda, and this was the rationale for the war.

    July 12, 2009 01:06 pm at 1:06 pm |
  279. TM

    To GI Joe

    Are you forgetting that Bush voided the ABM treaty without approval or authority from the Senate? Or is it OK for a president to do that if he's a Republican?

    July 12, 2009 01:09 pm at 1:09 pm |
  280. John Murphy

    This has the look and feel of Tricky Dick and the conspiracy to hise Watergate and the Dirty Tricks Squad. Iraq was a war begun under false pretenses, no WMD and no link between Saddam and Al Quaeda. The blood of 4324 American dead is on the hands of GWB amd Cheney.

    July 12, 2009 01:11 pm at 1:11 pm |
  281. David

    Re: "We all know that the operatives who did it, most likely, were under orders to do it".

    Surely John knows this is the exact argument from the Nazi side during the Nuremberg Trials, 1845 – 1946.

    The bottom line is that if we permit torture, then we become the enemy and are no more worth saving then anyone.

    July 12, 2009 01:13 pm at 1:13 pm |
  282. Enough Already

    Once a registered and devout republican, it is the insidious schoolyard antics of the party and the blatant irresponsibility of the party, Mr. McCain, that has torn it all apart. Keep complaining and pointing fingers...but, curiously, tell us all how one can turn around the disaster created by the wonder boys over the prior eight years in seven months...

    Stay negative, screw the people, save your own...terrific leadership position.

    July 12, 2009 01:19 pm at 1:19 pm |
  283. Dee Texas

    The Bush Administration was covert after 9/11, and what concerns me is the lack of concern shown by most Republicans today. It seems like they follow blindly by not questioning any of the actions of the Bush years. What about Halliburton and all those no bid contracts and no accountability for the shoddy work perfromed, and the ousting of one of our CIA operatives? It is our duty to demand accountability of our leaders regardless of party. There is too much at stake in our world today to sit idle on the side lines of politics.

    July 12, 2009 01:24 pm at 1:24 pm |
  284. billp

    It's truly terrifying for me to think how close we came to losing our way of life under the Cheney Administration. I feel it very likely if another major terrorist attack had occurred on his watch, he would have suspended the Constitution, turned this country into a dictatorship, and launched a war against the entire Muslim world.

    July 12, 2009 01:25 pm at 1:25 pm |
  285. JohnNYC

    Here we go again, time to wag the dog, our economy is in the toilet and once again our politicians are using slight of hand to keep the public's focus off their failures. Happened with Bush/Cheney, now its the democrats turn.

    July 12, 2009 01:28 pm at 1:28 pm |
  286. Tatianna

    Intell officials said the program never became operational and did not involve CIA interrogation programs or domestic activities. If this is illegal and dems want to hold Bush and Cheney, then they should also hold each and every CIA official responsible. The only people who benefit from this action are our foreign enemies like AQ and dem party. If Team Obama agrees to any form of show trial, he and and his own party will live to regret it. 9/11 was the last attack on our soil. Bush either did something wrong or he did something right.

    July 12, 2009 01:29 pm at 1:29 pm |
  287. gl, Pittsburgh

    The longer President Obama and his Administration ignore Cheney and Bush Administration crimicail activitis the longer we have to hear a but it. It is time look into this matter now.

    July 12, 2009 01:35 pm at 1:35 pm |
  288. ted

    That's it – keep talking about what Bush did. Keep on talking while this economy is falling and will keep on falling. 9.5% unemployment – no – let's talk about the Bush administration. This Stim. package isn't working and Obama PROMISED to hold unemployment under 8.5%.

    Sure guys – let's keep on talking about Bush & Cheney. Screw the economy.

    July 12, 2009 01:48 pm at 1:48 pm |
  289. Susan (Michigan)

    memo to John McCain: Bush already tarnished America's image badly. The truth must be told, painful as it will be to hear. These people must be held accountable, or our Constitution is really as worthless as they tried to make it by their Executive Power abuses. And John, you were in the Senate the whole time. What did you know and when?

    July 12, 2009 01:51 pm at 1:51 pm |
  290. another george

    When you don't want to listen to him, you can't shut him up. When you need to hear an explanation, you can't find him. He's probably out hunting with his friends.

    July 12, 2009 01:52 pm at 1:52 pm |
  291. Susan (Michigan)

    Matthew Dougherty July 12th, 2009 12:34 pm ET

    The American public permitted or looked the other way for eight years."

    I disagree...Olbermann was reporting nightly on the sins of the Bush administration. MANY of us were writing to our legislators and newspapers about torture, wire taps and worse, and abuses of power. We were ignored because Pelosi knows too much and was afraid for her job. Now is the time to get it all out there.

    July 12, 2009 01:54 pm at 1:54 pm |
  292. Cali J

    Unemployment over 9% (Michigan may hit 20%)
    Foreclosures at all time high.
    Food banks and State Aide fading fast.
    The worst is yet to come according to Obama. Years, not months.
    Millions of babies aborted yearly. Iran and NK threatening to use Nukes.
    Afghanistan just begining to escalate. 4 more soldiers died today. Eight Brits in the last 24 hours.
    Small and Private business and large Corporations leaving the country and it's jobs behind for friendlier places to do business.
    Spending by our Government never been higher or more wasteful.
    And you lefties are more bent on trying to get Cheney for doing something he thought would protect your sorry and worthless asses.
    What planet did Liberals come from?

    July 12, 2009 02:07 pm at 2:07 pm |
  293. Audrey Fryer

    I notice a lot of comments referring to Palin as Dick Cheney's confidante. Please bear in mind that Dick Cheney was also the mastermind and confidante of G.W. Bush – he wants ignorant and clueless people in power so he (Cheney) and his cohorts can tell these people what they are going to do. Cheney and his ilk have been working behind the scenes for over 30 years in the Government, plotting and plotting until they got the right "President" in power. You can rest be assured that he and his minions are still plotting. They are the ones manipulating the media to destroy Mr. Obama and they are manipulating the Sarah Palin story – agenda my friends, agenda.

    July 12, 2009 02:13 pm at 2:13 pm |
  294. Pepper from CA

    This is sad that McCain would say: "a special investigation would only publicize "bad things" that harm America's image in the world." Yes is would show that the word the bad things America has done but in doing that we show we hold accountable those that do those things. Therefore you show the world we know we are not above the law and bring to trial those who do such things. Even if it may be the Vice President of the United States. No one is about the law... no one!

    July 12, 2009 02:18 pm at 2:18 pm |
  295. B.H.

    I think Mr. McCain knows a good deal more than he is letting on.

    July 12, 2009 02:23 pm at 2:23 pm |
  296. micala

    Bush was just as much at fault as cheney if not more so... Bush never should have had a second term... I believe america chose the lesser evil, than an unfamilliar one. in our eyes it is easier to deal with one we already know, than to chose another we dont know... Everything that man did after 9-11 is up for speculation they should both have to answer for what was hidden from us and lyed to the world and their own country.

    July 12, 2009 02:26 pm at 2:26 pm |
  297. B.H.

    To G.I Joe: So we continue to do and act the same way that we have in the past and allow weapon races forever until what?
    Oblivion !

    Idoiot

    July 12, 2009 02:31 pm at 2:31 pm |
  298. chuck in tampa bay

    GI JOE,I agree with some and disagree with most BUT
    you say over and over to get off the blog and write your elected officials
    for that sir my hat is off to you.
    I also demand an investigation,i don't care if there are areas of discussion that have to go behind closed doors as long as we get an investigation.I still hear about Pelosi lying about our CIA even though that's been disproved,I am not a pelosi fan but why would an entire network continue with this lie?

    July 12, 2009 02:31 pm at 2:31 pm |
  299. Hawk, Texas

    Arent they supposed to hang traitors? that would mean all of bush's cabinet. and their lawyers. plus the republicans in office.

    July 12, 2009 02:37 pm at 2:37 pm |