Pelosi & The CIA

Last month I wrote in a blog that U.S. Speaker Nancy Pelosi needed to be very careful with her talk of a “truth commission” in regards to the use of “enhanced interrogation techniques” employed by our intelligence gathering agencies. I wrote:

“Many Democratic members of congress knew full well about the policies being implemented so when Speaker Nancy Polosi starts stating that she supports a “Truth Commission” to investigate Bush era policies, she better be ready to explain as George Will says, “how a 10 year veteran of the House Intelligence Committee is shocked and surprised about what was going on.”

The Speaker just didn’t heed my advice and now she is knee deep in controversy surrounding an intelligence briefing which occured in the fall of 2002. The Speaker said that the CIA “lied” about telling her that such enhanced techniques (like waterboarding) were being used to gather intelligence. CIA Director Leon Panetta (who is a Democrat and former collegue of Pelosi) offered her an “out” by suggesting that the CIA records show that the briefing occured but it is ultimately for congress to decide the facts.

Pelosi then switches her guns onto the Bush Administration and says:

“We all share great respect for the dedicated men and women of the intelligence community who are deeply commited to the safety and security of the American people. My criticism of the manner in which the Bush administration did not properly inform congress is separate from my respect for those in the intelligence community who work to keep our country safe”

Are you kidding me??? First she calls the CIA liars and then when it blows up in her face she say, “No, No, actually I like you guys…its the Bush Administration…its all their fault isn’t it?”

Everyone warned Pelosi not to stir this up because she was a culpable as anyone. The dilemma she faced though is that there are those out there that want to see George Bush and the gang punished and have been pressuring those with the ability to do so to press the issue.

Personally, I’m just enjoying watching a Democrat in the hot seat for a while.