Addington: I Can't Talk About Torture Because 'Al Qaeda May Watch C-SPAN.'

Dick Cheney's Chief of Staff, David Addington, appeared in front of the House Judiciary today to testify on interrogation techniques employed at Guantanamo Bay that were approved by the Bush Admininstration.

Addington got a bit testy during questioning by Democratic Representative Bill Delahunt.

Think Progess caught the video:

Read the transcript.

DELAHUNT: Oh I can understand why [the President] doesn't talk about it.

ADDINGTON: Because you gotta communicate with al Qaeda. If you do -- I can't talk to you, al Qaeda may watch C-SPAN.

DELAHUNT: Right. Well, I'm sure they are watching, and I'm glad they finally have a chance to see you, Mr. Addington.

ADDINGTON: Yeah, I'm sure you're pleased.

A 2006 article by US News and World Report called "Cheney's Guy" gives some insight into Addington's role shaping policy for the War on Terror:

The "invisible hand." Much of the criticism that has been directed at these measures has focused on Vice President Dick Cheney. In fact, however, it is a largely anonymous government lawyer, who now serves as Cheney's chief of staff, who has served as the ramrod driving the Bush administration's most secretive and controversial counterterrorism measures through the bureaucracy. David Addington was a key advocate of the Brown v. Board and more than 750 other signing statements the administration has issued since taking office--a record that far outstrips that of any other president.

Comments

[guntotinganglion]

If we don't torture, why can't torture be discussed? And who cares, if we don't torture, whether the "bad guys" listen in?

This maneuver was a clear admittance that we do, indeed, torture. That also indicates that our Dear Leader is a liar. Could have knocked me over with a feather.

[PaulC37943]

So when does this guy get his own article in Dickopedia?

[StillIRise]

This is no different than the Bush's administrations's mantra that if we debate the issues in a public forum, we are not only aiding and abetting the enemy but we're anti-American, and the only true patriot is one who simply acquiesces to whatever policies or positions or LIES this administration sets forth and keeps quiet about it!

They ALL need to be sent to Guantanamo in chains!

[JoeLosFeliz]

One of the many members of this administration that should be in prison.

These people aren't Americans.

[sufi66]

A classic sociopath.

[paixa3]

Absolutely, just like the idiot in the White House.

[don]

The practices this man endorsed have created more enemies, not less. Al Qaeda may be watching C-Span? I hope that they do, and that while they watch they see an effective government conducted in an honorable manner by honorable men who believe in the rule of law rather than the rule of man. An open and honest government that is mindful of the basic human rights that have been bestowed on all men as was professed in its founding documents.

By not testifying openly, Addington has lumped all of us in with al Qaeda. He has decided that we are not to be trusted with the truth and knowledge of what this administration has been up to in our name. He sees us as the enemy, he sees anyone that is concerned with human right as giving comfort to al Qaeda. He doesn't see himself as others see him, an abomination.

[5150]

CRUEL BUT FAIR

[SouthernYankeeBelle]

Unless you are on the receiving end.

[SkelDaddy]

If these nitwits are so worried about what the "terr-ists" might find out, why did they out a CIA agent?

[AmericanSinceFeb08]

Shows again what kind of people work for this administration (or have worked).

so arrogant and demeaning.

[JumpingCholla]

What an insufferable, arrogant ass.

[HBeachbum]

You are talking about Delahunt, correct?

[oogabooga]

Have a look at this:
http://www.ae911truth.org/
and then you'll understand why this pig clams up.

[ThunderclapNewman]

Utter bulls**t.

[oxygen]

the best civilian job for the soldiers and others to have after they are done working in the so called "war" will be to become police officers - coming to a town near you soon, with the training and moral standards developed by the help of this man

let us now sing the national anthem with our hands over our hearts - I am sure the other 5 billion people on the planet will join in singing won't they?

I can not believe they have been torturing other people's children, I knew they had children in cuba but that is preposterous, this man must be prosecuted to the full extent of the law

[mrqapla]

9/11 was an inside job.
Al Qaeda poses no threat.
Bush and Cheney are terrorists.

[paixa3]

I am not so sure about the "iside job", but the USA surely are and have been terrorists for years.

[ATRE]

Addington is such a unique and dangerous person. He pretty much trounced this entire hearing by being nothing more than smug...and for some reason, he wins because of this. Did anyone scream at him? Nope. Did they raise their voice? Nope. Did they stumble over and over when trying to ask him the tough questions about torture and everything else to do with the OLC...ABSOLUTELY. He exudes this sort of smug confidence, knowing that no one can touch him...that he has been the real "architect" of the Bush doctrine...that he has manipulated the laws just enough to get by without being drawn and quartered on the National Mall. If Rove is "Bush's Brain", then Addington is Cheney's...and the two-headed monster that makes up both of them has been the most devastating beast that this country has dealt with in a long long time. Good riddance.

[smokeystover39]

Mandrake, do you recall what Clemenceau once said about war?

Group Capt. Lionel Mandrake: No, I don't think I do, sir, no.

General Jack D. Ripper: He said war was too important to be left to the generals. When he said that, 50 years ago, he might have been right. But today, war is too important to be left to politicians. They have neither the time, the training, nor the inclination for strategic thought. I can no longer sit back and allow Communist infiltration, Communist indoctrination, Communist subversion and the international Communist conspiracy to sap and impurify all of our precious bodily fluids.

Addington: But Mr. Chairman - I can't testify - al Qaeda might find out about THE BIG BOARD!! And besides what about our precious bodily fluids???

[GBartrem]

It's the flouride in the water, the ruskies are killing our essance.....LOL! or something to that effect.... I really think Dr. Strangelove is the running theme of the Bush administration.