Pataki uses 9/11 to claim Obama’s policy ‘jeopardizes our ability to continue to effectively protect our country.’
Pataki uses 9/11 to claim Obama’s policy ‘jeopardizes our ability to continue to effectively protect our country.’
Recently, the Guardian interviewed former New York governor George Pataki to discuss the eighth anniversary of 9/11. Pataki, who was in Manhattan when the World Trade Center was hit, used the opportunity to criticize the decision by Attorney General Eric Holder to investigate CIA interrogators who went beyond their legal guidance, saying it “jeopardizes” national security:
“Placing CIA officials who were acting in the aftermath of the worst attacks against our country and civilians in our history in possible criminal jeopardy years after the fact is in my mind a horrible decision.
“It jeopardizes our ability to continue to effectively protect our country against those who hate us and want to attack us again.”
Oddly, Pataki claimed that his disapproval of the investigation sprung from a concern for the rule of law. “We must make sure we obey the rule of law and act in ways that are not just legal but moral,” said Pataki. “But now, years after the fact, to consider charges is wrong for our country, wrong for our security and wrong for the entire world that believes in the rule of law.”
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Pataki is just another in a long, long line of repiggie hacks given jobs way beyond their capabilities.
He totally screwed up New York State.
His incompetence doesn’t quite reach the murky depths of Bush’s, but it comes pretty close.
September 11th, 2009 at 9:53 amYes, Obama’s policies have clearly made our country unsafe. That’s why only 234 days after he took office we suffered the worst terrorist attack in American history.
Oh, no, whoops, those were the prior administration’s policies. Obama has kept us safer longer than the last guy did.
September 11th, 2009 at 9:56 amHe sounds too much like a Bush/Cheney slug – protect the rule of law by ignoring it when we feel like it? Just another Republikan idiot.
September 11th, 2009 at 9:58 am9/11 9/11 9/11 9/11 9/11 9/11……………….into eternity. Jesus is the ALL the conservatives have to offer America, fear and paranoia????
September 11th, 2009 at 9:58 amamazing how some people’s moral compass can point both ways
September 11th, 2009 at 10:00 amIn that picture it looks as if George is going to kiss Rudy and Pitaki went to hug them both.
creepy, guessing thats were George learn how to do the Saudia kissing thing.
September 11th, 2009 at 10:01 am9/11 – lamented by progressives and celebrated by right wingers
September 11th, 2009 at 10:01 amI suspect Republicans believe, in a self-interested sort of way, that there either is or should be a statute of limitations on war crimes.
September 11th, 2009 at 10:03 amSo the rule of law is only applicable in areas where Pataki and other repugs think it applies – it doesn’t apply to Republican criminals.
September 11th, 2009 at 10:04 amThis is the same old song the Republicans have been singing-the Dems are soft on defense. Of course, the Republicans omit the memo on Bin Laden before 9/11 that Bush failed to read and take action. Bush screws up and then we should be grateful we were not attacked again. NOT.
September 11th, 2009 at 10:07 amIsn’t depressing how the GOP turned such a horrifing event into a sheer propaganda tool? Ever since 911, we have heard, “If you don’t listen to Bush. You are unpatriotic and in leaugue with the terrorists!” If you questioned the infringment of our civil liberities you heard, “You want us to get hit again!” I, myself, say a little prayer every year for the victims. But the fact is, Republicans and the Bush White House used our sympathy and fear to control and manipulate us. And I’m sure the majority of the Country would agree.
September 11th, 2009 at 10:07 amWasn’t it the Bush admin. that blamed the CIA for everything leading up to the Iraq aggression?
September 11th, 2009 at 10:08 amCool picture of Curly, Moe and Larry.
September 11th, 2009 at 10:09 amPoor Pataki. Another victim of CTPS*, a common republican malady.
*CTPS — Crossed Talking Points Sydrome
September 11th, 2009 at 10:09 amPoliticizing such a tragic event is the real terror, Pataki.
Remember, the key word in your title is ‘former’…
How about the Firemen & EMTs who are now either dead or suffering terminal health effects?
You appear worried about faceless CIA agents, but neglect to mention America’s real 9/11 heroes…how come?
You & Rudy sent these people in harms way so you could photo-op yourselves. We haven’t forgot.
And how in the hell do you connect the dots from 9/11 to Holder’s investigation? You’re ‘pulling a Rudy’ here, George.
8 years after you & Rudy’s excuse called leadership would be a fine time for you to just STFU.
September 11th, 2009 at 10:10 amErgo, all War Crimes tribunals are wrong.
In fact, anyone who believes in the rule of law as described by Pataki must necessarily hold that all prosecutions of all crimes are wrong, because they occur after the fact.
Only by NOT prosecuting War Crimes and Crimes Against Humanity can the United States uphold the rule of law and regain our moral stature in the eyes of the rest of the civilized world.
yeah, right. :P
There’s an excellent perspective on the United States over at The Zoo.
September 11th, 2009 at 10:10 amI remember when Pataki was running for mayor…an ad stated “When going to a George Pataki speech…always wear your boots”. Apparently that still applies….everything out of his mouth is crap.
September 11th, 2009 at 10:12 amAIO says:
Wasn’t it the Bush admin. that blamed the CIA for everything leading up to the Iraq aggression?
The Republicans want everyone to believe that everything bad that happened under Bush was someone else’s fault. That is a tough sell; the voters tossed the Republicans out. They need to move on before the torture investigations blow up in their faces.
September 11th, 2009 at 10:16 amI’m watching CNN, and there is a report of a ‘Suspicious’ boat on the Potomac. On MSNBC, they are playing the entire coverage of 911. If I wasn’t so cynical, I’d swear someone was trying to scare me.
September 11th, 2009 at 10:18 amAs a resident of NY I assure you George Pataki a lacky of the piece of dog mess Big Al D’amato was a pathetic governor and rethuglican brown nose. Waiting to come out of the woodwork on 9/11 to comment about this is reprehensible and a sure sign this ass wipe is going to run for the senate in 2010. Can’t wait to see the two losers Rudi and Georgie kill eachother before getting their asses kicked by Gillibrand.
September 11th, 2009 at 10:20 amTypical political hack. And he thinks this will help him win a senate race against Gillibrand.
Pataki is scum.
And, 19. P.D.
Yeah, it’s always a little disconcerting when MSNBC runs their 9/11/01 coverage every 9/11. And then, there’s Fox…
September 11th, 2009 at 10:23 amP.D. says:
I’m watching CNN, and there is a report of a ‘Suspicious’ boat on the Potomac. On MSNBC, they are playing the entire coverage of 911. If I wasn’t so cynical, I’d swear someone was trying to scare me.
Yes and on fox we see the big scary battle ship gray Suspicious boat. might be another attack by those sneaky terrorists. there going to ram the white house from the potomic (spelling), now only if we had a real american president we all be safe again.
September 11th, 2009 at 10:23 amOddly, Pataki claimed that his disapproval of the investigation sprung from a concern for the rule of law. “We must make sure we obey the rule of law and act in ways that are not just legal but moral,” said Pataki. “But now, years after the fact, to consider charges is wrong for our country, wrong for our security and wrong for the entire world that believes in the rule of law.”
Let me see if I’ve got this right…..According to the Pataki, the only way to follow the rule of law is to ignore the rule of law? OK you dimwitted repuke, I know where you stand.
September 11th, 2009 at 10:25 amNo offense. But look how puny those boats are? I heard shots where fired. Why is there no movement? Look at the traffic? Why haven’t they shut down the bridges and streets? WTF?
September 11th, 2009 at 10:26 amRe: #22…
http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/09/11/potomac.boat/index.html
The Coast Guard FIRED 10 rounds? WTF?
September 11th, 2009 at 10:28 amInteresting poll by Rasmussen today. 49% of believe Americans have forgotten the impact of 911. But get this, the majority are men and people who are 40 and older. I myself, am 42, and I believe Americans are well aware of the impact of 911, we just won’t let ourselves live in fear of it.
September 11th, 2009 at 10:29 amThe real sad part is if the last admin was still there panic dick probley would have called the navy to sink the little speed boat cause it look like it could be close to being a possibility of having people aboard it, and you know they might have a hibachi on it and we know that a hibachi is a device from another country and all.
September 11th, 2009 at 10:31 amWell, well, well. CNN say this all might be a TRAINING exercise. And of course there is Fran Townsend is saying how STUPID someone in the ‘Government’ would allow this. Hmm. Reminds me of how the Pentagon had those planes fly around New York for a photo op WITHOUT Obama’s permission.
September 11th, 2009 at 10:31 amI am getting sick and tired of hearing the right wing say that investigating the abuses by the CIA interrogators jeopardizes our national security. This is a lie! The people who broke the law during the interrogations are NOT the same people who are out in the field, under cover, risking their lives to get us intelligence. To equate the two is an insult to the field agents who really are risking their lives daily. And the right wing people saying this crap know that, and that’s why they are liars.
September 11th, 2009 at 10:32 amLOL! It was a training exercise! CNN calls this news? This was a gimmick to scare Americans plain and simple! My God. they aren’t even trying anymore.
September 11th, 2009 at 10:33 amP.D. says:Reminds me of how the Pentagon had those planes fly around New York for a photo op WITHOUT Obama’s permission.
yes, so very true…… could be another of the chaney moles working again.
Not that such a kind generous man like him would do some thing as unhanded like that.
right?????
September 11th, 2009 at 10:34 amNow Fran Townsend is blaming the Obama Admistration. Why is only CNN covering this? And Fran Townsend happens to be commentating? Wasn’t she a bigwig in the Bush Administration? I’m not sceptical, are you? (SNARK)
September 11th, 2009 at 10:38 amIf the government is too incompetent to provide healthcare it sure as hell can’t handle protecting the citizenry from freedom haters that hate our freedoms. How is it possible that the oddballs can reconcile their endless contradictions?
September 11th, 2009 at 10:39 amThis was a farce to make the Obama Administration to look bad. The fact Fran Townsend was commenting on it for CNN WAY before any other news organization is unreal. My God, look how cynical I got. I chalk it up to the abuses of the Bush Administration.
September 11th, 2009 at 10:41 amHere here scalle! Pataki fu(ked New York much the same way Bush fu(ked the Nation. It will probably take as long to clean up the mess he left behind as well. The culture of corruption from the Repubs in Albany reverberates as soundly as the debt they left behind.
September 11th, 2009 at 10:42 amThere were NO SHOTS FIRED. This was a RADIO exercise. CNN got it all wrong. They scared God only knows how many gullible Americans. This is immoral.
September 11th, 2009 at 10:43 amIf we don’t enforce existing laws, what’s the point in defending this country from domestic, much less outside threats?
September 11th, 2009 at 10:45 am36. PD,
Lest we forget: After Wednesday’s speech, Dana Bash (CNN) reported that Democrats booed the President when he mentioned illegal immigrants won’t receive coverage.
What a tool. The Democrats booed Wilson.
September 11th, 2009 at 10:47 amInformation gained from torture is CORRUPT information because the authorities will not take no for an answer and the victim will always lie (to please authorities) to escape torture. When you have such corrupt information, it is a national security threat. That’s why torture is a national security threat and it needs to be investigated to improve our national security. Unfortunately this Obama admin is too weak to explain this to the public. He seem to be more concerned to GOP opinion than the left base that put him in office.
September 11th, 2009 at 10:54 amReally?!
So we must NOT prosecute War Crimes in order to uphold the law???!
Do Republicans ever listen to the words coming out of their own mouths?
A 6th grader could see right through this line of BS!
Shameless, classless, LAWLESS!
September 11th, 2009 at 11:00 amWhere was Pataki when Bush jepordized the ability to continually protect our country. Part of the disaster that was/is Katrina is that there was insufficient first responders available and/ or directed to New Orleans. Largely due to the fact that the majority of the equipment of the Guard and Reserve units in LA. was in Iraq.
The insult to injury were the delays by the Bush administration in getting sufficent troops and equipment transfered to aid in the effort of resue.
September 11th, 2009 at 11:15 amAs always, the Rebublican has it exactly backwards.
1. Torturing people and holding them indefinitely without trial makes us less safe.
2. The rule of law mandates investigation of all illegal activity committed by whatever persons, for whatever purported reason.
September 11th, 2009 at 11:18 amStop it. Your arguing with a dining room table.
So we must NOT prosecute War Crimes in order to uphold the law???!
You would have to be a complete imbecile to make a statement like that.
September 11th, 2009 at 11:27 amLangx says:
You would have to be a complete imbecile to make a statement like that.
You are stating the obvious because we already know that–they put Palin on the national ticket.
September 11th, 2009 at 11:42 amGovernor George Pataki says, “It jeopardizes our ability to continue to effectively protect our country against those who hate us and want to attack us again.”
Aren’t Republicans the ones who hate us and want to see America fail?
September 11th, 2009 at 11:43 amOk, I DONT KNOW why the heck TP hasnt menitioned it, but the upcoming opponent of the redneck racist republican CONGRESSMAN who so inapropirately (AND incorrectly) yelled at our commander in chief during his address to congress (while he sat silently though LIE AFTER LIE from the previous president)has raised almost a HALF MILLION DOLLARS since his opponents outburst..
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/9/11/780319/-Wilson-begins-counter-fundraising-appeal
this guys is running scared, and YOU can help…in the article is a link to donate….this is amazing example of what the “Little guys” can do when they work together…
September 11th, 2009 at 11:50 amPa-who-ki?
ok – whatever.
September 11th, 2009 at 12:09 pm“Oddly, Pataki claimed that his disapproval of the investigation sprung from a concern for the rule of law. “We must make sure we obey the rule of law and act in ways that are not just legal but moral,” said Pataki. “But now, years after the fact, to consider charges is wrong for our country, wrong for our security and wrong for the entire world that believes in the rule of law.” ”
WTF? We’d be neither legal, moral, nor ethical to turn a blind eye to abuse of the law and illegal acts. Just because the Shrubbery went out and did all this crap in question, generally defecated all over the law, and then tried a lame after-the-fact justification for it, doesn’t mean that the current adminstration and DOJ should ignore what has already been disclosed as potentially criminal or what may still be hidden from public view. In fact, ignoring what went wrong and what was done deliberately in evading the law only assures that the same stuff and worse will happen again; ignoring the errors and illegality of the past is what jeopardizes our future, not taking action to rectify.
And time has very little to do with it. For some crimes, including war crimes, there is no statute of limitations.
Ergo, there is no lawful argument for not investigating and prosecuting as appropriate.
September 11th, 2009 at 12:10 pmGeorge says – Hehehe, I was protecticating our country real good from those iz-lam-oh-ter-or-istz real good after I let them create the perfect dictatoring sea-ren-oh for me to be the dictator, the decider dictator, that’s me, 911 was perfect, no one even questioned what the fcuk happened, the MSM were all praising me and Dick for protecticating the country. Hell, they never even could put two and two together, with the stand down of our Airforce, no one even thought about why we didn’t de-spatch any fighter jets, I could have been in one of those, cod piece and all, rat-tat-tat-tat-tat, all Top Gun like. Then we instantly brought forth our Patriot Act, like it was pre-written and all, but those congress critters and a few real reports were getting all suspect of this set up, but Dick’s anthrax letters took care of that, pronto. What you say Dick?
Dick says – I need fresh blood from cute kittens and puppies.
September 11th, 2009 at 12:21 pmThe Republican destroyed the rule of law in America, and Pataki is just trying to maintain a lawless America.
September 11th, 2009 at 12:51 pmIn the light of what we’ve learned about torture done by the CIA at Guantanamo, Abu-Graib and through outsourcing to third parties, is there any way to read that paragraph without your skull imploding?
September 11th, 2009 at 12:58 pm@ 51, nutwrench…“We must make sure we obey the rule of law and act in ways that are not just legal but moral … is there any way to read that paragraph without your skull imploding? September 11th, 2009 at 12:58 pm
I’m not having a problem with my skull, but you’ve got a pretty good point there, nutwrench; Pataki must be close to pulling an absolute vacuum in his dome, so the people around him ought to stand back. At the least, his head’s going to make a really disgusting sucking sound when it collapses.
September 13th, 2009 at 1:08 amThe inexperience of President Obama’s choices in appointments, the “kissing” of Chavez, of the Socialist Republic, now the former Governor of New York during 9/11/2001 fears Obama has weakened U.S. security karin ameliyati
September 16th, 2009 at 9:37 amThank you for your sharing.!
September 16th, 2009 at 10:19 pm