Cheney: Torturers Can Do No Wrong

McClatchy has a preview of tomorrow’s Cheney tirade on Fox. And in it, Cheney basically says it doesn’t matter if the torturers exceed the legal guidelines on torture.

Cheney, who strongly opposes the Obama administration’s new probe into alleged detainee abuse, was asked in the Fox News interview whether he was "OK" with interrogations that went beyond Justice’s specific legal authorization.

"I am," the former vice president replied.

"My sort of overwhelming view is that the enhanced interrogation techniques were absolutely essential in saving thousands of American lives and preventing further attacks," he said. "It was good policy. It was properly carried out. It worked very, very well." [my emphasis]

Oh, okay then, let’s just do away with the law altogether, in favor of whatever policy Article II wants.

I am reminded of one of the "Legal Principles" on torture that appeared in a document hand-carried from Scott Muller to John Yoo.

The United States is at war with al-Qa’ida. Accordingly, US criminal statutes do not apply to official government actions directed against al-Qa’ida detainees except where those statutes are specifically applicable in the conduct of war or to official actions.

I’m sure Cheney and Addington had nothing to do with that "Legal Principle," not at all.