Torture memo author William Haynes: 23 don't recalls, 22 don't remembers, 16 don't knows

[sabra]

Abu Ghraib? Doesn't Ring a Bell.

By Dana Milbank
Wednesday, June 18, 2008; Page A03


If ever there was a case that cried out for enhanced interrogation techniques, it was yesterday's Senate appearance by the Pentagon's former top lawyer.

William "Jim" Haynes II, the man who blessed the use of dogs, hoods and nudity to pry information out of recalcitrant detainees, proved to be a model of evasion himself as he resisted all attempts at inquiry by the Armed Services Committee.

...

Haynes, wisely, retreated to his default position. In the span of just a few minutes, he treated the chairman to a whole new level of forgetfulness:

"I don't recall seeing this memorandum before and I'm not even sure this is one I've seen before. . . . I don't recall seeing this memorandum and I don't recall specific objections of this nature. . . . Well, I don't recall seeing this document, either. . . . I don't recall specific concerns. . . . I don't recall these and I don't recall seeing these memoranda. . . . I can't even read this document, but I don't remember seeing it. . . . I don't recall that specifically. . . . I don't remember doing that. . . . I don't recall seeing these things."

In two hours of testimony, Haynes managed to get off no fewer than 23 don't recalls, 22 don't remembers, 16 don't knows, and various other protestations of memory loss.

It was an impressive performance, to be sure. But let's see him try to do that with a hood over his head, standing on a crate with wires attached to his arms.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

1. Sometimes Milbank hits it out of the park

Sometimes he's just another smug flapmouth. But, when he gets it right, he gets it very right.

I guess Haynes is just following his hero, Alberto Gonzales, in asserting his bad memory. We all know how well that worked for Gonzales.

Has he found work yet, poor Alberto?

[goddess40]

2. Sitting in a jail cell for contempt of court might help his memory

He's either a liar or so extremely incompetent those that hired him should be locked up for hiring him.

[Sal Minella]

7. Or maybe a little session or six of waterboarding would help him remember?

I know we can't torture witnesses, but since waterboarding has been decreed not to be torture, we can waterboard witnesses, right? Might help. Would be worth a try, anyway.

[babylonsister]

3. Rec'd and wow! Deja vu! Gonzo revisited! nt

[Sal Minella]

4. Also that woman (?Doane?) who was the head of her agency but couldn't remember having any meetings

of any sort ever at any time for any purpose. She just didn't recall powerpoint presentations listing Targeted Democrats in upcoming elections. Just couldn't remember. Even when shown the list of Targeted Democrats she was tasked to defeat, she just couldn't remember a thing about any of that.

[babylonsister]

5. I wonder if forgetfulness was a requirement prior to getting hired?

;)

[Supersedeas]

6. seems to be a pattern with Bush League Lawyers