Pelosi doesn't know if waterboarding is torture or not

[zeemike]

When Cris Wallace as her directly whether water boarding was torture that is what she said.
I suggest that she get a first hand demonstration of it and then she would know.
My god I am so disappointed in her. When she took over as speaker I had so high of hopes that she could be a strong leader but what I have seen this morning is total weakness.
On the other hand maybe they threatened to water board her to get her to shut up and sit down.

[Bluebear]

1. You have GOT to be kidding me.

What has gotten into her?

[EFerrari]

40. The DLC has pictures of her eating trans fats?

:scared:

[stimbox]

47. coffee in my nose...

:spray:

[Moochy]

76. Noone can eat just one!

The Frito-Lay Lobby is a force that gives her life meaning!

[rosesaylavee]

2. Wow.

That is so disappointing. What's happened to that lady?

[roguevalley]

54. she knows that the war has shifted and become hers. she's running

for the hills like the rest of the evil bastards who have sold out what we demanded in 2006.

[Solly Mack]

3. I'm not saying you heard wrong but I would like an exact quote

a transcript would be great...

I repeat - I am in no way suggesting you heard wrong.

[derby378]

5. A video would be better

I don't have a DVR yet, but I know some DUer's do...

[zeemike]

6. It just happened on Fox New Sunday

So I can't supply a transcript just yet but I was lessening closely and what she said was something like "Well I would have to know exactly what the president was talking about but I can't say now"
And that was to a question that was like this, A direct question now Is watter boarding torture or not?

[Solly Mack]

10. Thanks! I'm in Germany and some news shows that are playing there now

won't play here until much later...so I rely on DU, transcripts, and videos.

[zeemike]

13. I will make a point to get one and post it to you n/t

[Solly Mack]

43. Thank you! Much appreciated!!!!

[zeemike]

58. Here is the transcript

WALLACE: It's been disclosed this week that the Justice Department, after publicly declaring torture abhorrent in 2004, secretly, a few months later, approved the -- in combination -- the use of head slapping, water boarding and exposure to extreme temperatures.

The president now says that the leadership, the Congress, was fully informed, and that this is not torture.

First question: Were you ever briefed about this policy or the secret Justice Department memos?

PELOSI: Well, in order to know if I'm briefed about it, I'd have to be briefed about it now. What exactly is the president talking about? Yes, let me get my credentials right out there. I'm the longest-serving member of Congress on the intelligence committee, both on the committee and ex officio as a leader. So we have been briefed on some tactics used by the administration.

But I'd have to see what we're talking about here, because this is -- all I know is what I've read in the New York Times.

WALLACE: You were never briefed about these secret memos in 2005?

PELOSI: No, not about the secret memos.

But let me say also, again, as one who appreciates the value of intelligence to protect the American people, I think it's very important that we have the best possible intelligence. And there's international cooperation on this, and there are international standards on it. And I think that protecting the American people being our top priority, we should do so in a way that is within the law, and experts agree that you do not obtain reliable intelligence through using these tactics.

WALLACE: So let me ask you directly...

PELOSI: ... and you diminish our reputation in the world, which hurts the cooperation we need to collect the intelligence we need to protect the American people.

WALLACE: So let me ask you directly. Do you think that the interrogation techniques that have been reported -- let's not talk about what's in the memo, but what's been reported -- in combination, head slapping, water boarding, exposure to extreme temperatures. Torture?

PELOSI: There is a legal definition of torture that I believe this would fit. The president says it is not. Again, we have to see the degree and what he is talking about, because again, to answer on the basis of something that's been reported in the press that the president has deemed is not torture, it's just not -- I just can't give you an informative answer on that.

The link thanks to Zandor
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,299943,00.html

[Change has come]

65. Does this transcript change your view?

I had to read the interview three times before it made sense. It's not surprising that it would sound confusing on TV.

[zeemike]

69. No not really

but re reading it she did leave herself all kinds of wiggle room to get out of it. But essentially she said she did not know.

[Solly Mack]

73. Thank you

[NI4NI]

12. There's no way she can know what the "president" means

After a face to face briefing about torture with members of the intelligence committee and Senator Rockefeller, they don't know anything either......other than the "president" telling them that "we don't use torture" without describing any of the techniques being used.

[proud2BlibKansan]

38. I was watching and yes she said this

It was an interesting interview, to say the least.

[Solly Mack]

44. Thanks, proud2Blib!

[bullimiami]

4. she is really pretty pitiful. sad.

[NI4NI]

7. I too am deeply disappointed, in fact saddened

Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Reid need to be more like the Dixie Chicks..."I Don't Want To Play Nice".

[seemslikeadream]

8. Nancy wake up and smell the torture, PLEASE

[cascadiance]

36. Yes, when can we wake up from this nightmare she's kept herself in?!

[Name removed]

9. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[seemslikeadream]

14. Booktv

http://www.booktv.org/program.aspx?ProgramId=8619&SectionName=&PlayMedia=No

[OzarkDem]

34. What does this have to do w/ Pelosi's remarks

I don't see her name here anywhere. I'm assuming there's some information here that's relevant to the discussion, can you clarify?

[seemslikeadream]

46. Why is Pelosi not stopping this war?

Why is she not impeaching bush and cheney for war crimes?

[cali]

16. Yes of course.

Absolutely everything that's wrong with the Congress-oops, I mean the US- is directly attributable to AIPAC. Put down the boogyman for a moment, and try being rational.

[seemslikeadream]

20. open your mind watch CPSAN?

or do you consider them part of the problem?

[cali]

22. I don't watch TV. Period.

So tell me, did someone produce evidence that AIPAC made Pelosi make a vile statement about waterboarding?

[seemslikeadream]

24. It's on the internets

You do have the internets don't you? Do you read books?

[cali]

27. I have dial-up

I have however, read broadly and deeply. I've done it since I was a small child. Why are you asking. I mean, I realize you seem to have an addiction to the boob tube; some of us think it's an unhealthy medium, and not necessary as regards getting information.

[seemslikeadream]

39. BOOB TUBE= CSPAN

:shrug:

[Forkboy]

68. That damn waste of a station.C-Span and American Idol are exactly the same!

[cali]

11. That's more than disappointing.

It's vile.

[seemslikeadream]

18. Watch Book TV CSPAN

Open your mind that isn't at all what was said

[muffin1]

15. It seems like only yesterday

I was jumping for joy! We had done it! Things were going to change - troops would be coming home soon, there would be congressional hearings on the lead up to the war, there would be checks and balances all over the place. Man, what a kick in the teeth. If Pelosi doesn't know whether water boarding is torture or not..Jesus, I don't even know how to finish this sentence. Oh, yes I do...step the fuck down, Ms. Pelosi.:wtf:

[City Lights]

17. What a disgrace!

My god I am so disappointed in her. When she took over as speaker I had so high of hopes that she could be a strong leader but what I have seen this morning is total weakness.

Couldn't agree more. And between reading this and another thread where she's gushing on Fox Noise about praying for the troops, the children, and the preznit, I'm about to lose my breakfast...:puke:

With friends like these...:-(

[Dr. Death]

19. She has to wait for the focus group to get back to her

Then she'll know what her position is.

[Sugar Smack]

21. CIA officers who subject themselves to the technique last an average of 14 seconds before caving in.

From Wikipedia. That certainly tells me something. :scared: :scared: :scared:

[Pachamama]

32. 14 seconds....I wonder how long Nancy would last or whether something can only be tolerated (barely)

for 10 seconds or less to be considered "Torture". I can see the new "definitions" of Torture being written now....

:puke:

[Sugar Smack]

35. I know. What does she think it is? "A trifle excessive"?

:nuke: This seriously burns me up and scares the daylights out of me.

[Didereaux]

23. Need any more reason to start working on her ouster in '09?

The woman should be ousted as Speaker as quickly as possible. She is not up to the job.

[Triana]

25. EXCUSE ME?

:wtf: is the matter with that woman?

[LWolf]

26. Let us know when the transcript goes up.

Can we stop calling her "progressive" or "liberal" now?

[radiclib]

28. Don't dare support Sheehan, however

No matter how disappointed we are in Pelosi, we must support her re-election. This is, after all, Democratic Large D Underground, and lockstep is required.

[proud2BlibKansan]

42. Aye aye cap'n!

[radiclib]

52. Sorry. Forgot to include

:sarcasm:

[proud2BlibKansan]

57. Oh I understood

I probably should have put that in my post too.

[Richard Steele]

29. Oh fer cryin' out loud! nm

[porphyrian]

30. She's been replaced by the pod people!

Who the fuck is that in her body?

[Beelzebud]

31. Ugh...

Jeezuss Keerist!

Do these dumb asses even try to pretend to pay attention?

No wonder Bush hasn't been impeached yet...

[Rosa Luxemburg]

33. my guess is that they may have threatened her with more than waterboarding?

[proud2BlibKansan]

37. She also said she prays for Bush

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x1992900

[NotGivingUp]

41. Hmmm...maybe if it was being done to her just might make up her mind???

Who can stand anymore from these lying assholes. What else can be expected from these people that PRETEND to be on the side of the people. It's the only game they can play.

[bvar22]

45. All that Botox inn her forhead...

...has seeped into her brain, the part that distinguishes Right from Wrong.

[ForeignSpectator]

48. This might add to it...

read this : "Weak has a face, and it's Pelosi's"

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/darin-murphy/weak-has-a-face-and-its_b_66987.html

[Zandor]

49. ***TRANSCRIPT***

WALLACE: So let me ask you directly. Do you think that the interrogation techniques that have been reported -- let's not talk about what's in the memo, but what's been reported -- in combination, head slapping, water boarding, exposure to extreme temperatures. Torture?

PELOSI: There is a legal definition of torture that I believe this would fit. The president says it is not. Again, we have to see the degree and what he is talking about, because again, to answer on the basis of something that's been reported in the press that the president has deemed is not torture, it's just not -- I just can't give you an informative answer on that.



http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,299943,00.html

[gtar100]

50. Wow, fear of a direct response

Not that I trust the intentions of Wallace in the least, but my god! Can't she just answer the damn question?

So just what is it that Bush has on her? She makes no sense on face value.

[Amonester]

53. Wow! And we think * is an idiot...

Is idiocy "contagious" to the point Pelosi got "infected" too? :shrug:

Just who the heck R these stupid ignoramuses who run the world to its own destruction? :crazy:

[Disturbed]

51. Ms. Pelosi is like a battered wife praying that hubby won't

beat her &/or the kids anymore.

"high of hopes that she could be a strong leader"

I have posted that she is a weak person before she became Speaker. She needs to resign now, get out of the House & get into Therapy.

[leeroysphitz]

55. Weakness. Shear contemptable weakness.

No leadership there at all.
What are we going to do now?

[leftchick]

59. fuck!

how about you let your kids try a little waterboarding nancy???


:puke:

[The Stranger]

77. "Yes, Chris, that is torture. Yes, Chris, that is illegal. Yes, Chris, that is unacceptable,

uncivilized, reprehensible, criminal, damnable, abhorrent, loathed, despised by the American people, defeating of a civilized people, violative of the most fundamental precepts of human conduct, behavior, law and society, we the American People will not stand for it, and with the American People I stand on this issue . . . "

Get the Fucking Nancy out of our way.

[Swamp Rat]

56. fuck!

x(

[tabasco]

60. You can say that again.

Very disappointing.

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

61. I just saw the transcript. This person has to be contested in a primary for her seat.

I really believe she has gone over to the darkside.

[bdamomma]

79. something or someone got to her, this has been speculated or assumed here

but something is definitely wrong with her.

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

83. I assume this is the case. Our government has been taken from us and she's complicit. eom

[leveymg]

62. Replace the Speaker. If she doesn't know what torture is,she needs to go

That's it.

[mmonk]

63. I for one unabashedly oppose her as speaker.

[Guaranteed]

64. I've been defending her, but that is pretty damned bad. nt

[ecstatic]

66. Was Pelosi always a Dem or did she switch parties? nt

[Disturbed]

67. She has alwys been Dim.

Now she is getting dimmer.

[depakid]

70. The mere fact that she went of that show was enough for me

hearing this only confirms how morally challenged she's become.

It's really very sad. It's as if "nuance" has become some sort of brain disease prevents the so called "leadership" from stating even the most obvious of facts.

[deacon]

71. She's a "miserable failure" n/t

[Seabiscuit]

72. Pelosi doesn't appear to know if her ass is a hole in the ground or not

[MrMickeysMom]

74. You can't even call her today to remind her of this, the message line is full...

... She's using one of the tricks of "nah-nah-nah-nah... I can't hear you, I can't hear you"!

You have to be within her district to send her an e-mail about this, too.

But, her hair looks terrific.

[The Stranger]

75. The Pelosi disaster just gets worse and worse.

I fear this will hurt women holding the highest political offices in the future.

[Canuckistanian]

78. Wow, with a single statement

She's managed to validate the pro-torture crowd and confirm our worst fears that impeachment will not happen.

And you can forget about censure or even substantial criticism of Bush and his policies.

[truebrit71]

80. Sorry but this is intellectually dishonest...she DOES say it is torture...

...read the fricking transcript..."There is a legal definition of torture that I believe this would fit."

Where's the confusion?


She wouldn't get trapped into a "gotcha" soundbite for Fux Noise with the rest of the quote...but she most DEFINITELY said waterboarding etc was torture...

BTW i am NO fan of the Speaker, but this attack is not justified...

[zeemike]

84. A legal definition as opposed to what?

PELOSI: There is a legal definition of torture that I believe this would fit. The president says it is not. Again, we have to see the degree and what he is talking about, because again, to answer on the basis of something that's been reported in the press that the president has deemed is not torture, it's just not -- I just can't give you an informative answer on that.
The confusion is in bold. Can you explain what this means?

[riverdeep]

81. She been using the language of weakness for other occasions as well.

SCHIP. Basically a rare gift on platter given to dems. Republicans are scared to death of the issue. The public is solidly behind SCHIP. So she comes out and says what? Paraphrasing-'I'm praying that President Bush does the right thing.' You're praying? It just makes it sound like he's got the upper hand here. No! You don't ask him to pray! You make a definitive statement that casts the blame where it belongs and DEMAND he follow where the country and those in his own party are heading. It seems like a little thing, but it's a lot of these little things.

[KansDem]

82. I can understand her response: Waterboarding is performed ON THE TABLE

...bound with the head lower than the feet. Water is poured into the victim's mouth, simulating drowning.

But the fact that this torture is performed on the table probably confused her.

[lonestarnot]

85. I fucking hate her.

[opihimoimoi]

86. On the other hand, Bush thought Brazilian was a Number...whad can I say?