Cracks in the Edifice...

The scandal over the CIA torture tapes continues to spin. Over on DailyKos, several articles with good insights, particularly this one by gchaucer. Over here, clammyc's commentary and several by Jeff Huber lead the way, and emptywheel over at TheNextHurrah has some excellent stuff. Here's a little more fuel for the fire -- an interview between an apparently defensive Bush and Matt Lauer. Note how well Bush prevaricates, dissembles and obfuscates. Just a little more after the jump. Notice how he says that he instructed the interrogators not to use torture, and in the same breath refers back to the DoJ definition of torture -- he's using the redefined term in order to maintain plausible deniability. Of course he didn't authorize torture^{DoJ definition only} -- he just authorized enhanced interrogation techniques^{DoJ-assured as 'non-torture'} that he won't specifically name. It's like a nudge, nudge, wink, wink sort of thing. He's intent on keeping his plausible deniability intact, and avoids several direct questions. He's guilty, he knows it, and he'll do anything he can to avoid responsibility for his crimes.