Dispatches from the Bush Posse #19

Harsh Tactics Readied Before Their Approval from the Washington Post

"Intelligence and military officials under the Bush administration began preparing to conduct harsh interrogations long before they were granted legal approval to use such methods -- and weeks before the CIA captured its first high-ranking terrorism suspect, Senate investigators have concluded."

European Nations May Investigate Bush Officials Over Prisoner Treatment from the Washington Post

"European prosecutors are likely to investigate CIA and Bush administration officials on suspicion of violating an international ban on torture if they are not held legally accountable at home, according to U.N. officials and human rights lawyers."

Notice the words "likely to" in the first sentence.  

Intelligence Chief Says Methods Hurt US from the Washington Post

"The damage to the country's image caused by the use of waterboarding and similar techniques exceeded any potential benefit, Director of National Intelligence Dennis C. Blair said."