LA Times – Dick Cheney Glad We Torture People

Patterico, that slayer of bias at the LA Times, has found another instance of liberal bias in the paper.  This time its on the Vice Presidents remarks at CPAC.  Take a gander:

Meanwhile, in another part of the city, Vice President Dick Cheney was addressing the meat-eaters at the Conservative Political Action Conference. He told them that he was glad the administration had tortured people and that he’d do it again: “Would I support those same decisions again today? You’re damn right I would.” 

Wow!  The Vice President said he’s glad we tortured people?

Or did he?

Patterico was curious and read through the whole transcript and found only one instance of Mr. Cheney uttering the word torture:

The United States is a country that takes human rights seriously. We do not torture – it’s against our laws and against our values. We’re proud of our country and what it stands for. We expect all of those who serve America to conduct themselves with honor. And we enforce those rules. Some years ago, when abuses were committed at Abu Ghraib prison, a facility that had nothing to do with the CIA program, the abuses that came to light were, in fact, investigated, and those responsible were prosecuted.

So Tim Rutten at the LA Times wrote that Dick Cheney said our country tortures people but what he in fact said is that we DO NOT torture people.  How in the world would Tim come to the opposite conclusion?

He did it by splicing two segments of Cheneys speech:

Just as we’ve monitored the communications of enemies at large, we’ve also gotten information out of the ones that we have captured. The military has interrogated terrorists held at Guantanamo Bay. And in addition, a small number of terrorists, high-value targets, held overseas have gone through an interrogation program run by the CIA. It’s a tougher program, for tougher customers. (Applause.) These include Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the mastermind of 9/11. He and others were questioned at a time when another attack on this country was believed to be imminent. It’s a good thing we had them in custody, and it’s a good thing we found out what they knew. (Applause.)

The procedures of the CIA program are designed to be safe, and they are in full compliance with the nation’s laws and treaty obligations. They’ve been carefully reviewed by the Department of Justice, and very carefully monitored. The program is run by highly trained professionals who understand their obligations under the law. And the program has uncovered a wealth of information that has foiled attacks against the United States; information that has saved thousands of lives. (Applause.)

Then later in the speech:

President Bush has been tough and courageous. He’s made the right decisions for the right reasons, and he always reflects the best values of the American people. I’ve been proud to stand by him and by the decisions he’s made. And I would support those same – and would I support those same decisions again today? You’re damn right I would. (Applause.)

Patterico:

I suppose Rutten would argue that Khalid Sheikh Mohammed was, in his view, tortured – and that Cheney, by praising his interrogation, is supporting torture. Fine; if Rutten wants to make that argument, let him make it.

But that’s not what Rutten said. He said Cheney told people he was “glad the administration had tortured people.” And Cheney didn’t tell people that. At all. Cheney said: “We do not torture – it’s against our laws and against our values.”

Rutten has told a lie. And he should be called on the carpet for it.

Its a completely dishonest and biased editorial, and sadly I’m not surprised.  That is the state of things in our MSM today.

Time Rutten’s email address is here, Patterico wants you to CC him on the email and if he likes it enough he will put it up on his blog.

Curt

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