AND NOW FOR THE OTHER SIDE - AT 7:27 A.M. ET:  From the Washington Post:

In releasing highly classified documents on the CIA interrogation program last week, President Obama declared that the techniques used to question captured terrorists "did not make us safer." This is patently false. The proof is in the memos Obama made public -- in sections that have gone virtually unreported in the media.

Consider the Justice Department memo of May 30, 2005. It notes that "the CIA believes 'the intelligence acquired from these interrogations has been a key reason why al Qaeda has failed to launch a spectacular attack in the West since 11 September 2001.' . . . In particular, the CIA believes that it would have been unable to obtain critical information from numerous detainees, including [Khalid Sheik Mohammed] and Abu Zubaydah, without these enhanced techniques." The memo continues: "Before the CIA used enhanced techniques . . . KSM resisted giving any answers to questions about future attacks, simply noting, 'Soon you will find out.' " Once the techniques were applied, "interrogations have led to specific, actionable intelligence, as well as a general increase in the amount of intelligence regarding al Qaeda and its affiliates."

COMMENT:  The column is by Marc A. Thiessen, who served in the Pentagon and was President Bush's chief speechwriter.  One does not have to believe in, or accept, the interrogation techniques used by the CIA to demand that the full story be told - including the results of the interrogations. 

Former Vice President Cheney is demanding that the administration release additional CIA memos that report the value of enhanced interrogation techniques in saving American lives.  I doubt if that will happen.

The controversy reminds me of the "no WMD found in Iraq" issue.  The fact that stockpiles weren't found in Iraq has been the single most effective club used by the "Bush lied, thousands died" faction.  However, what was found in Iraq, after major combat ended, were WMD programs that were set to be restarted once the UN lifted its sanctions on Iraq, probably in late 2003.  That part of the truth is played down or even ignored by the media, as it does not fit the approved narrative. 

Thiessen argues that the release, last week, of internal memos detailing enhanced interrogation techniques provides our enemies with details with which to train their people to resist American interrogations.  Thiessen concludes:

President Obama's decision to release these documents is one of the most dangerous and irresponsible acts ever by an American president during a time of war -- and Americans may die as a result.

Anyone in the media care?

April 21, 2009