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Freudian Waterboarding

Speaking aboard Air Force One, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs today made a rather funny Freudian slip.

Asked to explain the president's policy on the issue of CIA-led interrogations, the release of the torture memos, and whether those responsible for the policy ought to be held to account, Gibbs said:

MR. GIBBS While no one is above the law, those that worked within the four corners of the legal advice they were given, and those that acted in good faith based on the advice they were provided should not be subject to interrogation.

Bob Dreyfuss

April 22, 2009

Speaking aboard Air Force One, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs today made a rather funny Freudian slip.

Asked to explain the president’s policy on the issue of CIA-led interrogations, the release of the torture memos, and whether those responsible for the policy ought to be held to account, Gibbs said:

MR. GIBBS While no one is above the law, those that worked within the four corners of the legal advice they were given, and those that acted in good faith based on the advice they were provided should not be subject to interrogation.

Reporters did a double take:

Q Should not be subject to what?

MR. GIBBS: Should not be subject to prosecution.

In the end, I suppose — given what they’d approved — the guilty parties would rather face “prosecution” than “interrogation.”

Bob DreyfussBob Dreyfuss, a Nation contributing editor, is an independent investigative journalist who specializes in politics and national security.


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