White House Evades Question of Whether Enhanced Interrogations Led to OBL Raid
- Posted on May 3, 2011 at 6:25pm by
Emily Esfahani Smith
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The death of Osama Bin Laden has reawakened the debate over enhanced interrogation techniques–or what some call torture–and whether they are effective and morally justified.
Did enhanced interrogations lead the U.S. to Bin Laden? Some say no. Others say yes.
From the AP:
U.S. officials said the information that ultimately led to bin Laden’s death originally came from detainees held in secret CIA prison sites in Eastern Europe. There, agency interrogators were told of an alias used by a courier whom bin Laden particularly trusted.
It took four long years to learn the man’s real name, then years more before investigators got a big break in the case, these officials said.
What does the White House say?
Jay Carney, the White House press secretary, evaded a question on this matter today during a press briefing. When asked if information from enhanced interrogations was used to help track down bin Laden, Carney seemed to say “yes and no.”
“The fact is that no single piece of information led to the successful mission that occurred on Sunday. Multiple detainees provided insights into the networks of people who might have been close to bin Laden.”
He added, “But reporting from detainees is just a slice of the information that has been gathered by incredibly diligent professionals over the years in the intelligence community. It’s simply strange…to suggest that a piece of information that may or may not have been gathered eight years ago somehow directly led to a successful mission on Sunday.”
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Comments (94)
Nervous Investor
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 6:56pmBe advised Mr White House Spin Meister, even the longest march begins with the first step. If the enhanced techniques provoked the disclosure that a man was particularly trusted by OBL and that when put together with later information eventually led to the demise of OBL then to deny the importance of that first step is infamously dishonest.
Report Post »quicker
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 6:56pmFelt the groung shaken looked at the tv ,the first lady ahem, was jumping ,Gee she can`t be here in Texas?
Report Post »caprica
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 6:55pmwe must vote hussein obmaa out …..or you wifes and daughters will be in burkas and you will be wearing a rug on your head – or they will take your head down !
Report Post »AOL_REFUGEE
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 6:54pmThis just goes to show that Diane Frankenstein Feinstein doesn’t know her patoot from her pie hole. Far be it for that to inspire her to shut up, however.
Report Post »caprica
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 6:54pmwe have to vote this hussein obama out – or we all going to be in burkas
Report Post »nocomment
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 6:53pmLet’s see if I have it right…
They shoot an unarmed Bin Laden and one of his old ladies. Okay, I’m cool with that.
But in CA or NY, if an armed assailant shoots your wife, then starts to run off with your TV… you CAN’T shoot him (because he is no longer a threat to you and it would be ‘excessive force’).
You would be prosecuted.
PROGRESSIVISM IS POISON!
Report Post »caprica
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 6:52pmmore lies will come from this caniving liars ….the progressive communsit marxist global mulim islam dictators …..watch the other hand – the snake – the serpent is not to be ever trusted !
Report Post »caprica
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 6:51pmevery time the leftis talk they lie…so is their muslim boss borack hussein obama and the whole communsit admistration
Report Post »caprica
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 6:50pmBush was right …..obama adopted Bush policies…….but he is too small to admit this ! Obama is a small man …we respect the Presidency and the Office,, but not this small minded spineless man ! he is a disgrace to the offfice of the United States …look at the big picture…destoying USA Freedom ! Christianity! Constiturion ! Jobs, private Businesses…..USA Allies for what ….for Shria Law ! in America ! his is a snake and a sheep in a wolf skin and shame on those who belive this evil man and liar…..he spend 2 years in Pakistan 1993-1985….he got lots of friends there …..ofcourse the passports and visas are seal…….except the recod show that obama attended Columbia for few months …then he spend 2 years in Pakistan ….training ? or party? or What? we would like to know what was he doing in pakistan and why the Saudi prince paid for his schools …that he did not attend it anyway ..
Report Post »Non-sequitur
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 7:05pmThis isn’t exactly the first time Obama used Bush policies. Need I remind you that we’re still in all the Wars Bush started, still have Gitmo open, are in a NEW war on flimsy premises,…….?
Obama policies have been overwhelmingly center-right.
Report Post »EQUALIZER
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 6:49pmWho was the 40 minute firefight with? A FORTY MIN Firefight??? Everyone was unarmed!!!!!!
Report Post »Bluenose177
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 6:45pmavoiding the question because they know it‘s true and every liberal mouthpiece from Barry the Marxist on down to Maude Behar and all in between bitched and moaned this didn’t work
As we’d say in back in Scotland to liberals “ GET IT ROON YE IDIOTS”
Report Post »ares338
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 6:43pmThey used Jack Bauer. Electrodes hooked to the boobies!
Report Post »kickagrandma
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 6:41pmOf course they will evade~~~~liars cannot stand in the light of TRUTH,
Report Post »hogtrashhd
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 6:40pmLike I said from the get go.. obama had nothing to do with this major achievement and if he had our guys would have been dead….. he would have leaked the whole damn thing and gotten them killed…can’t wait to see when he startes court martial proceedings against the SEALS.. it will be tried.
http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2011/05/skulking-towards-bin-laden-obama-overridden-by-military-and-intel-officials-in-takeout-of-obl.html
Report Post »macombman
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 6:38pmGeeze splash water on a terrorist’s face and the Liberals just go nuts…..
Report Post »Psychic_Warrior
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 6:37pmAre they worried that Bush might get credit, or afraid they people would say if we did it Obama’s way he would still be alive?
Report Post »Mackerel
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 6:36pmObama and Biden should be investigated and brought to trial for war crimes.
Report Post »OLDBIKEFIXER
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 6:56pmWorks for me!
Report Post »chips1
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 6:57pmYou can’t prosecute Biden. He slept thru the whole thing.
Report Post »nomercy63
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 6:32pmThis whole story is getting more and more ignorant everyday and with each new govt employee that comes out talking. I think we need to ask tough questions. Now anyone disagrees with them they are called deathers can’t anyone ask questions or should we just believe what is said there are a lot of holes here that need to be filled
Report Post »AR485
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 6:32pmOperation well executed. Since then…not so much. I don’t doubt the authenticity of events but the Administrations handling of this since the President left the podium has been atrocious. Their ever-changing story and flip-flopping on the photos is only fueling the fires of growing conspiracy suspicions.
Report Post »BehindBlueEyes
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 7:39pmI think the smoke machine at the WH is running at full speed. More distraction from the real issues.
Report Post »Taxpayer550
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 6:32pmJust two days after a great accomplishment, the administration is spinning the heck out of it. They can‘t even give credit to a president that’s retired. That’s how hateful and intolerant they are. Amazing.
Report Post »912828Buckeye
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 8:19pmThey could’nt tell the truth if they were water boarded.
Sorry for the hate, just pissed over the whole deal. AT SEA?
Report Post »CatB
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 6:31pmSoooo . .that would be a YES!!!!!!!!!
Report Post »RepubliCorp
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 8:54pmit would be a side step…………because he knows Bush could call him on the BS
Report Post »Liberish 4 yes
PatriotSmith
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 6:31pmJust admit it…we waterboarded the dirty SOBs and caught the most wanted terrorist…how’s that for progress obama
Report Post »Robert-CA
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 7:34pmThese extreme muslim terrorists are willing to kill themselves in order to hurt us & yet some loons in this admin. think that if once captured they will give up vital infos just with “legal” way of questioning .
Report Post »Yeah good luck with that .
They have to suffer & almost die from pain & that’s when & only when we’ll get the answers from them .
Rob
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 6:29pmLet me do the torturing… scooping out an eyeball with a spoon and cooking it on the barby in front of them… I will get answers. Screw the liberals.
Report Post »OLDBIKEFIXER
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 6:54pmIce cream scoop works better…
Report Post »Malcom0983
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 6:29pmOsama photo. Not as gruesome as they say. Still gruesome.
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd320/nolesnaz/photo.jpg
Report Post »cliftonb
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 6:40pmmalcom, that’s the fake that has been going around. Someone photoshopped his head and some other dead guys head together.
Report Post »sofaking obvious
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 6:40pmNot real. I passed that pic around via text yesterday morning. I didn’t create it, but I found it online. If you continue to search, you will find how they created the “death” photo from two different sources.
Report Post »dcart888
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 6:44pmthat’s a photo shop not real
Report Post »JoeySocal
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 7:02pmBeck showed the photo last night. This one is fake.
Report Post »unsalvageable.org
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 6:29pmOf course they avoided the question about enhanced interrogation, that would mean admitting that Obama was wrong and Bush was right.
Report Post »http://www.unsalvageable.org
Revere1
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 6:33pmThis Carney guy is a total amateur. The Obama administration is handling this whole thing poorly. It’s supposed to work in their favor, not make them look foolish! http://www.elephantwatcher.com/2011/05/after-bin-laden-should-republicans-be.html
Report Post »Obama Bin Lying
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 6:34pmNotice how this is the only thing that he didn’t blame Bush for???
Report Post »Dustyluv
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 6:34pmThey would not admit it even if waterboarded…
Report Post »CatB
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 6:37pmIf they had followed the Obama “doctrine” as opposed to the Bush … we would not have caught him .. plain and simple … Obama fail! And I heard a former SEAL say today that he thinks Obama was forced into taking out OBL. Had it come out that he got away .. Obama would not have any chance in 2012.
Report Post »pajamash
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 6:38pmThe sad thing is that the tactics implemented under Bush, and so reviled by Obama, will end of getting Obama re-elected. Isn’t that the height of irony. Excuse me while I go puke!!!
OK Back…so who is the bigger piece of intestinal ruffage? Bush stood by what he implemented. Did not waver. Was honest about what he did and confident it would save lives in the long run. Obama uses the information gleened from the tactics Bush implemented. He still says he is completely against such tactics but will use the end result of Bin Laden’s death to drive him to four more years…..hold on….gotta puke again!!!!
Obama is pathetic.
Report Post »cheezwhiz
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 6:39pmU.S. officials said the information that ultimately led to bin Laden’s death originally came from detainees held in secret CIA prison sites in Eastern Europe.
Report Post »———-
Question :
Did Nazi Policei know about it ? You know since CIA lies and she was not present in the meetings in which she used to present ?
MASTER YODA
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 6:48pmIt’s odd, the first time obama and the leftist media should give bush the credit, they don’t. I hate those people. Herh herh herh.
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 6:53pmWhat they won‘t say is it wasn’t waterboarding, the simply made all the detainees spend a night with Pelosi and Barney Frank, after that, they spilled their guts, both literally and figuretivly. Although we had to treat them all for crabs and clap. Shame on you Nancy.
Report Post »banjarmon
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 6:56pmWill the truth ever be told by this White House???
Report Post »pajamash
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 7:01pm“Will the truth ever be told by this White House???”
_________________________________________________
That is a rhetorical question right Banjarmon?
Report Post »Ba Ba Booey
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 7:01pmtorture is abhorent, unreliable and inhuman
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 7:12pm@Ba Ba Booey
Report Post »So is Liberalism.
Laus Deo
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 7:13pmIf you‘ve lived your entire life having never experienced ’BS’… You have been de-virginized with this skirting of truth.
Report Post »stifroc
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 7:17pmAs if they would admit that everything they fought for and everything they demonized is what gave then the necessary intel to get this job done? Hell no! They’ll fall on their swords before they admit that! No a magical fairy on a unicorn sprinkled pixie dust on the map and revealed OBL location. Then our fearless and glorious leader drove his dagger into the red “X” on the map and said through gritted teeth “Send in SEAL team 6”!
Report Post »FireTheLeft
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 7:20pm@ BaBa
trouble with torture is that it works… wait a minute, that’s a GOOD thing.. never mind.
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 7:22pmAnd that magical Fairy with the pixie dust, none other than Barney Frank, that is why he was so torqued off this morning. No one is giving him kudos on the pixie dust.
Report Post »We Are Not Alone
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 7:46pmobamas quote “Waterboarding….. not me…. it was George Bush….I inherited the worst intelligence in history and I used it to kill UBL…… I don’t approve of waterboarding, just a bullet to the head of an unarmed man”…. cross my heart
Report Post »greggor
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 8:33pmI think that they should use “enhanced interrogation” techniques, on Carney, in order to get the truth.
Report Post »tarpon
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 9:53pmDoes this mean the Democrats were lying about water-boarding all along?
And how about McLame?
Truth eventually is all that is left.
Report Post »GBMBulletsSKNRD
Posted on May 3, 2011 at 10:02pmTo be honest Glenn, Scott, Pat, Stu and the rest of you, there is just to much to take in at this point. I have decided to wait a few days and start when all the facts become more clear. That does not mean that I will not be paying attention to the dopes out there. I just want the facts and nothing but the facts. It is my hope that I am not offending anyone.
Report Post »Sinista MACE
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 9:08amWe all know you neocons want to torture people and then claim moral high ground when convenient.
You have no credibility.
Report Post »weeblewacker1
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 9:51amwrong! wrong! even donald rumsfeld said it wasn’t true.case closed. and why is it when rethugs say” it‘s Obama’s problem now,it’s passed the time for blaming bush” but now,when Obama gets osama bin-laddin,they say “its because of bush” ya,right.by the way,the c.i.a.only had control of the git-mo prisoners until 2006,they are the ones that did the torture,so you mean to tell me that they had that info for over 2 years with bush in office,and they did nothing about it?
Report Post »Sinista MACE
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 2:46pmYou idiots are so brainwashed, even you are regurgitating the government-created, media-propagated propaganda that TORTURE is “enhanced interrogations”.
TORTURE IS TORTURE IS TORTURE.
WE CANNOT TORTURE AND TAKE THE MORAL HIGH GROUND SIMULTANEOUSLY.
YOU CANNOT HAVE YOUR CAKE AND EAT IT TOO.
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