Andrea Mitchell calls out Kit Bond for attacking the SIC, SASC reports on Abu Ghraib and for 'Banana Republic' remark
By John Amato Thursday Apr 23, 2009 1:00pm
Sometimes Andrea Mitchell can be a tool, but sometimes she acts like a journalist. Kit Bond was on a wanker role today on MSNBC and actually had Andrea Mitchell almost jumping out of her seat with his distortions of so many facts. Bond said that the Senate Armed Services Report was a partisan report and it was wrong. When he tried to say that Abu Ghraib was just a few rogue soldiers that's when Andrea got into it with him.
Senate armed services committee released an exhaustive report detailing direct links between the harsh interrogation programme of the CIA and abuses of prisoners at the US prison at Guantánamo Bay in Cuba, in Afghanistan and at Iraq's Abu Ghraib prison.
When Andrea brought this fact up to Kit, he called the SASC report lies...( rough transcript. Fill in the thread)
Mitchell: Do you really feel that the CIA/terror fighters are being stabbed in the back by the President's actions?
Bond: Yes, very clearly. by released these classified has put all the CIA under the gun.There could be prosecutions for following orders and there could be prosecutions in other countries.
Mitchell: ...the Bush administration lawyers, one a sitting federal judge, on the federal appeals court on the 9th circuit in San Francisco, so those legal opinions themselves are being questioned, the practice is being questioned, the chain of how these decisions led eventually to Abu Ghraib according to the Armed Services Committee report yesterday and your own committee, the Senate Intelligence Committee has released a time line that shows that Condi Rice and others as early as July, 2002 approved these techniques, your colleagues have done on the hill.
Bond: There are about five different questions in there. No 1, Abu Ghraib had nothing to do with intelligence, that was a bunch of rogue reservists from West Virginia
Mitchell: That's not what what the Armed Services Committee report says sir.
Bond: It's absolutely wrong. It is a DOD report, they did not have access to the classified information on Intelligence community and we will be doing a review of the intelligence committee. It did not , it did not have access to what the CIA was doing. To say that Abu Ghraib had anything to do with intelligence is flat wrong.
Mitchell: So you're saying the Armed Services Committee report was in error yesterday?
Bond: Sen Rockefeller's report, we will do a bipartisan report.
Sen Rockefeller's report conveniently ignores the fact that the leadership of congress, Republican and Democrat in both houses and on the intelligence committee had access...(Democrats are are fault here too)Mitchell: We've reported on that, my question Carl Levin was on yesterday and drew a connection between the original; authorizations and the practices that were first used at Guantanamo and then were followed through because the military personnel from Guantanamo, a General Miller I believe then went to Baghdad and initiated some of these same practices which they draw the connection, I'm not drawing that connection, I'm just reporting on it.
Bond: I think, I think Carl Levin is wrong on that, but it was military activities and Abu Ghraib had nothing to do with intelligence.
He goes on to warn President Obama that investigations is the wrong way to go because Republicans can do the same thing, after all they didn't investigate President Clinton's administration after Bush took office.
Bond: We don't criminally prosecute people we disagree with when we change office. There are lots of questions that could have been asked about the Clinton administration, failing to recognize the war on terror. They did not., The Bush administration went forward...
The Bushies were too busy waterboarding people to worry about anything else. We prosecute those that break the law, Mr. "not James" Bond. No, they investigated Clinton like maniacs when he was in office starting with White Water. And a special prosecutor named Ken Starr was just fine by the Republicans. Let's remind Bond that it was Bush that opposed the 9/11 commission because he knew that he failed to take terrorism seriously.
Mitchell" I just want to make sure before I let you go, that you mean to be comparing the Obama administration with a "Banana Republic?"
Oh, just meant we shouldn't act like one.
The report says: "The abuse of detainees in US custody cannot simply be attributed to the actions of "a few bad apples" acting on their own. The fact is that senior officials in the United States government solicited information on how to use aggressive techniques, redefined the law to create the appearance of their legality, and authorised their use against detainees."
It's clear from the report that techniques used in Guantanamo Bay were then jettisoned to Iraq and implemented in Abu Ghraib to gather "intelligence," especially to see if al-Qaeda had ties to Iraq even when it was found that there were none, but also just out of cruelty. Power corrupts.
Login or Register to post comments.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AP8ISToe1Sc
the most interesting man in the world. I don't always waterboard with beer, but when I do I prefer 183 Equis poured over a chilling tower.
"Sometimes Andrea Mitchell can be a tool, but sometimes she acts like a journalist."
Huge emphasis on the second "sometimes." Respect is earned, Mitchell, and lost very easily and quickly. Follow through or don't ever presume to be called even a telly journalist.
See the following links for more on the SASC report and its methodology:
http://www.nationaljournal.com/njmagazine/or_...
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/may/...
Why didn't he just come out and say, Fu*k the facts!
He's always appeared to me to be one of those pols who has several screws not only loose but missing.
Except it maight have been "from the facts."
:)
This guy is confused about who will do the prosecuting and why. He thinks torture a political issue. Thanks god for democracy.
Without democray this guy would still be running the country. prasie democracy. Don't forget to vote!
...they were nice enough to let him slide with just an impeachment.
I wish someone would ask one of these torture/bush-admin defenders: "So IF crimes were committed, you are ok with letting those responsible get away with it?"
This from a member of the party that outed a CiA agent.
To bad Ms Mitchell didn't mention that little gem.
beyond the pale and without any degree of conscience. His lies are stacked upon lies stacked upon prejudice - how dare he compare the Clinton administration to the bunch of thugs that made up the Bush cabal. It is called the rule of law and no level of obfuscation can remove that fact - damn these retards make me mad!! Hand me the pitchfork!!!
"To say that Kit Bond has anything to do with intelligence is flat wrong."
kit still pronounces Missouri, "missourah"
Is that from an ozark education?
We educated Missourians on the northern lateral sides of the state know how to speak.
In fairness to Kit, it was still early in the afternoon and he probably only had a couple of martinis in him at the time.
His term's up in 2010 and he's not running for re-election. He sure won't be missed.
Way back when McCain's no-torture bill went thru the Senate, Kit was one of a few (4?) that voted against it. Of course that was before Bush applied a signing statement to it basically negating it.
Why is Kit Bond the "Chairman, Senate Intelligence Committee"?
He is the "ranking minority member", and the Senate IC is one of the 4 committees there where the full title vice-chairman is used instead of "ranking minority member". I think someone is incorrectly dropping the "vice".
(Now, why not use the "ranking minority member" title on this committee? Is it perhaps because he would more correctly be called the "rank minority member" or the "reeking minority member"?)
We don't need no steenking minority members.
What an ass hat. Like the Clinton Impeachment wasn't a "show trial" put on by the repukes??? Oh please!!
Besides, this goes a little further than the "show trial" bull shit. This is the question of whether this country was compelled to commit torture and illegal acts by the previous administration and their manipulating the legalize to allow it to go through.
After watching the military person in charge of Abu Grab (sp?) prison share her thoughts, I think this whole stinking mess smells of dead shit; and I want those guilty of requesting these inhumane and barbaric actions to be held accountable. We have made scape goats of the little military personnel who may have been ONLY following orders.
...stupid to artfully explain why. Bond didn't say anything intelligible...in fact lately no one in the GOP has.
Is this dolt another imbecile from Texas? Please let that hopeless state secede...the National IQ will spike up immediately.
It's all gobble-de-goop. They will be toast the second the republicans switch to substance. They don't want that, and the MSM unfortunately doesn't want that either!! That treacherous, money hungry MSM needs the republicans to function.
There is nothing anyone can say to these rightwing psychopaths to get them to admit to or see the truth. They hide behind patriotic zealotry, hyper-religiosity and plain old stupidity. They have no respect whatsoever for Obama, for truth or for justice. The Dems better wake up quick, realize that they are the ENEMY and just move forward with hearings, investigations, indictments and new laws. Forget bipartisanship or working with them. They are the ENEMY. Now that they are no longer in control they want Americ to FAIL. It's the only way they can hope to regain control and be the greedy, corrupt, immoral bloodsuckers that they are. We are, once again, seeing the rightwingers control the message by using coordinated, talking point psychobabble, disinformation and lies. It's a battle for the soul of America.
I was all for the ol' college try and really do respect Obama for giving it a fair shot, but it is fucking OVER. The GOP has proven that they are not interested in democracy, diplomacy, dialogue, or honesty. They are craven little backstabbers and will never stop tripping their political enemies as they walk through the halls. Any republicans who don't like being lumped in with these fucks? Tough. Quit your party or clean it up to some semblance of sanity. Doesn't have to be perfect, but at least put some mature adults back in charge.
If MO doesn’t muzzle this nutjob they will have to change their moniker to Don’t-Show-Me,-I-Don’t-Want-To-Know State.
or, Show me all you want, I won't believe any of it state
MO is the embarrassed-of-Kit-Bond-state.
Republicans cannot converse without name calling.
Labels don't make points. Labels get negative points. Sorry kit bind, but you are full of labels.
President Clinton told a lie under oath and broke the law. President bush told a ton-o-lies to take the country into war and under his order human beings were tortured. Which president did more harm to our country?
So what the hell would Kit have investigated that wasn't investigated out the ying yang the entire time President Clinton was in office?
Did you hear him blame Clinton for not being tough on terror? He's good!
He did all the talking so I'm not sure where she "called him out" at. He got everyone one of his talking points in and she didn't challenge him on anything. The whole part when he says that Clinton did nothing about the war on terror would have had me screaming "Bullshit!"
It's clear that Kit Bond is fearful that indictments for war crimes will drag the GOP leadership through the gutter.
His face literally turns red as he is questioned regarding possible indictments of administration lawyers and possibly members of the Bush government.
Bond knows that further dirty secrets would come to light in any trial that would thoroughly damange all Republican conservative pretense at compentent, legal or honest government.
Ask what other sections of the constitution are optional.
You know so we could all be on the same page as every other American.
Thats the thing with these funny named Repubs they're exceptional people chosen by GOD to run the exceptional country. Just ignore the guy on the cross, that was placed in a stress position Kitty, Kitty
I think the rest of the world sees America changing for the better with President Obama and now the transparency of these memos. They know the American people will take action with our government when we are told about our government irresponsibilities. Thats what people love about America. We can shape our government for the better.
...if I were surprised by a single word this soulless, prevaricating old fuck just slobbered out in this interview. Lying, craven, prick bastard.
What really makes me go "Grr!" is that these 'news' channels give so much freakin' free air time to these morons to just puke up whatever self-serving talking points they please on national tv.
any corporation ever had. Therefore, they get lots and lots of airtime on corporate "news." You're not still thinking that these media are anything but propaganda outlets, are you? Because you'd be wrong. They only provide some bits of proof to keep the naive and desperate among us hoping that all is not shit.
Who is lying, her or Kit Bond?
I was watching in real time when this interview happened. I was incapacitated with a bad back, but I still just about leaped up to throw some inanimate object at the screen, preferably heavy...
I cannot for the life of me figure out how these guys think they'll continue to get away with this crap. When Mrs Greenspan gets in your grill, you're fucked. Of course Bond always looks he's three sheets to the wind. That may prove to be a generous observation. What a lying dick.
In case you needed any more proof of how delusional this asshole is...
When he starts with the crap about investigating Obama after he leaves office some one needs to remind Kit that THEY FUCKING TRIED TO IMPEACH BILL CLINTON!!!!. idiot.
I don't understand these Rightwingers with lying, time and time again. Kit Bond acts like he's on heavy medication. He reminds me of someone on Thorazine, who will repeat whatever's told to them, word-by-word.
This seems to be the GOP talking point de jour -- Bond uses it, Rove used it and I saw a clip (surprisingly) of McCain using it. I say surprisingly b/c he was on the Senate Armed Services Committee.
This phrase doesn't just coincidentally fall off the lips. Don't they realize how obvious and calcualted they come across?
Kit Bond personally insulted me and all of the other West Virginians who have honorably served in the Armed Forces of the United States. The unit to which he is referring was composed of residents from several states including WV, MD, and PA. Kit Bond probably never served in the military and is just another of the "Chicken heart" Republican hawks.
I resent anyone referring to any residents of my native state as a "bunch of rogue reservists." WHy didn't he just call them ignorant hillbillies and be done with it?
Isn't outing a undercover CIA operative for political revenge constitute treason?
Basically, he is offering a not-so-veiled threat. If you are going to prosecute us for our law breaking, your administraion had better be 100% squeaky clean, or you'll see hell hath no fury like a Republican scorned. Gawd I hate Republicans.
But, what the Bush administration did is just beyond the pale, and can not go unchecked, It's not time to just "keep walking forward" (Peggy).
Waiting for all hell to break lose. It's probably needed. Washington sucks: a club full of weasels. Lock them all up.
"following orders" has never been a viable defense.
How the right wing is writing the whole narrative
Good Lord. I've never, in my life, seen a person so willing to throw soldiers under the bus. He acted as if it was his sacred duty. Republicans are so fucked, yet, they remain clueless. They [especially Cheney] remind me of those unrepentant Nazis at the Nuhremburg trials.
Please go away Senator, please stop embarrassing yourself and go hide in a closet somewhere.
Kit Bond should have his ass kicked hard,
but then you would bust his lips.
then why is it that loofa boy said the exact same thing as bond when discussing the possible hearings
this is about politics?
no...its about crime
so the soldier at abu gharaib acted on their own
dumb grunts who wont piss if not given the order came up with techniques right out of the cia handbook....fucking amazing
i hope our men and women in uniform have been watching the repugs...so they learn who exactly is on their side...cuz it sure as shit aint the wingnuts
So Kit Bond doesn't think the Nuremburg Trials should have taken place at the end of WWII ?
If he thinks there should be NO investigations and holding the law on criminal actions that occured in the past. As with a past president. Then Bond feels "when the President does something illegal,by being the president it makes it legal.
So He feels the President is above the law. So why did they impeach Clinton?
Why do they bring up sports players over Steroid abuse and have show trials like a Chiquita Banana Republic?
Will someone ever ask, How does a low level Justice Dept person come to attaining the Authority to write torture definitions? And make it law?
Kit Bond doesn't like America and thinks it is a Banana Republic.
When Kit Bond makes the statement about Abu Ghraib soldiers committing criminal acts and violating standing orders, he is conveniently ignoring the fact that attorneys who came up with the opinions in question now were willing to ignore international treaties against torture that we were signatory to. I believe that attorneys (although they don't call them standing orders) are also supposed to not legislate from the bench so to speak, but interpret the law exactly as it is written and not how they wish it were written.
He is basically saying that it is okay to break the law and if you are held accountable then it is nothing but show trials and banana republic stuff.
I do not even know where to begin.
In fact, holding people accountable in a system of justice is precisely the opposite of what you would likely get in a "banana republic".
Unbelieveable.
Republicans have no problem prosecuting people (federal prosecutors that were fired for not doing this) and putting them in jail (Alabama Governor Siegelman) for polticial reasons. You never see Democrats doing this BS.
Another mid-west Republican nut ball. If the people of Missouri want to keep electing nuts like this guy, then I have to say what is the matter with you Missouri? Why they hell do we have to listen to idiots like this from these back-assward little ignorant states.
"after all they didn't investigate President Clinton's administration after Bush took office."
Well that may be true, but let's not forget that it was AFTER Bush took office that, because of the constant whining, threats and a whole lot of coercion, Clinton WAS DISBARRED. And, 8 years later they are STILL whining about Clinton's horrible CRIME of lying about an affair and using THAT to justify TORTURE, over 900 LIES to illegally INVADE 2 sovereign countries, ILLEGAL WIRE TAPPING of the entire population of the United States and on and on. Clinton only recently got his law license re-instated.
Also, if this freakazoid and his buds are so "concerned" about CIA operatives maybe being called out and punished for TORTURE, where was he and why was he so quiet when Cheney was OUTING a COVERT AGENT which put dozens, if not hundreds, of other agents in immediate danger and ended valuable investigations. That crime ALONE is a death sentence crime.
The LAW does not just APPLY to people YOU DON'T LIKE and/or AGREE WITH. IF IT DID, YOU AND THE ENTIRE REPUBLICAN PARTY WOULD BE IN PRISON NOW THAT A DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENT AND CONGRESS ARE IN CHARGE.
THINK ABOUT THAT MR. "EVERYTHING'S OKAY IF A REPUBLICAN DOES IT AND WRONG IF A DEMOCRAT DOES IT" IDIOT!
Hey! he's sober
What a lying sack of shit. That "bananna republic" remark is proof that this turd is sucking right off the teat of the new Rovian playbook.
All these bastards must make of point of checking their fax and e-mails every morning to make sure they have the current talking points from Limbaugh,Rove, Beck and Murdoch before they even take their morning crap. Fucking Robots.
Login or Register to post comments.