Bush to CIA: 'Damn Right' You Can Waterboard Suspects

For years, human rights activists have been trying to pin down who gave the CIA approval to waterboard detainees. Now they know: George W. Bush himself. In his new book Decision Points, Bush recounts being asked by the CIA whether it could use the controversial simulated drowning technique on Khalid Sheik Mohammed, according to the Washington Post. Bush’s reply? “Damn right.”

Bush says he’d make the same decision again, and says he wouldn’t describe the technique as “torture.” Human Rights Watch says that’s ridiculous. “Waterboarding is broadly seen by legal experts around the world as torture,” and hence a violation of the UN Convention Against Torture, the group’s Washington director said. “The fact that none of us expect serious consequences from this admission is what is most interesting.” (More George W. Bush stories.)