Debate on Bush Enhanced Interrogation Continues

Democrats continue to deny clear and convincing evidence that Bush policy provided puzzle pieces leading to bin Laden discovery!

In a May 4th column for the Washington Post, former Bush speechwriter Marc Thiessen described the important role enhanced interrogations played in the discovery of bin Laden's lair and how they remain important tools in the war on terror:

Thanks to President Obama, this program, which helped lead us to bin Laden, is no longer part of America’s counterterrorism arsenal. Indeed, outside of the war zones of Afghanistan and Iraq, there have been no reported U.S. detentions of high-value terrorists since Obama took office.

Earlier this year, Umar Patek, the highest-ranking terrorist captured alive at this point in the Obama administration, was taken into custody by Pakistani authorities. Patek had traveled from Southeast Asia to Abbottabad — the same place where bin Laden was hiding. Coincidence? What was Patek doing in Abbottabad? With whom did he meet and what did they discuss? He should be in CIA custody answering such questions.

The time has come for Obama to restore the CIA interrogation program that made bin Laden’s demise possible — and to instruct Eric Holder to end his witch hunt against the heroes who helped lead us to bin Laden’s lair. That is the least Obama can do for the men and women responsible for the crowning achievement of his presidency. They don’t deserve a special prosecutor, Mr. President. They deserve the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Debra Burlingame, whose brother "Chic" was a pilot on the plane which slammed into the Pentagon on 9/11 confronted the President regarding the continuing investigation of CIA agents who were able to acquire the information which ultimately led to bin Laden. During Obama's first visit to Ground Zero in New York on Thursday (he refused earlier invites on 9/11 anniversaries) she asked him to suggest to Attorney General Holder that no further investigation was required. He flat out refused to do so and turned his back on her and walked away:


Burlingame describes the encounter with Obama: "As a former attorney I know you can't tell the Attorney General what to do, he said, 'No, I can't.' But I said 'we -- that shouldn't stop you from giving your opinion. We wouldn't be here today if they hadn't done their jobs. Can't you at least give them your opinion.' And he said 'no I won't,' and he turned around and walked away."

Cheney Should Apologize to Obama?

It's bad enough that some on the left want Obama to use the death of bin Laden to declare victory in the war on terror and close up shop.

David Corn, writing at Mother Jones goes one step further demanding that former Vice President Dick Cheney apologize to Obama for his criticisms of the president which center largely on Obama's refusal to acknowledge the importance of enhanced interrogations. It's important to note that Obama refused Cheney's request to declassify and release CIA memos which showed just how effective enhanced interrogations were. Ultimately, that exchange led to the bizarre situation where Obama scheduled a major speech on national security at the same moment of a long scheduled address on the same topic by Cheney.

Obama and the Democrats who cling to their false mantra that enhanced interrogations did not work continue to display their foolish delusions where national security is concerned. We got lucky with bin Laden due to the groundwork laid by President Bush. But now, there is plenty of room to wonder if we might be missing the next big lead that will save American lives!