“It was like this:  ‘We don’t want to continue unless you tell us in writing that it’s not only legal but is the policy of the administration.’”

- Former Intelligence Official, explaining why the CIA requested written approval from the White House about the use of waterboarding and other interrogation tactics

 

The agreement will “make it clear to the world that this government does not torture and that we adhere to the international convention of torture, whether it be here at home or abroad.”

- George W. Bush, 43rd President of the United States, 2005

Legislation banning waterboarding “would take away one of the most valuable tools on the war on terror.”

- George W. Bush, 2008