“Vice President Dick Cheney said Monday [December 15, 2008] that he was directly involved in approving severe interrogation methods used by the CIA, and that the prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba should remain open indefinitely. …Cheney’s comments…mark the first time that he has acknowledged playing a central role in clearing the CIA’s use of an array of controversial interrogation tactics, including a simulated drowning method known as ‘waterboarding.’ ‘I was aware of the program, certainly, and involved in helping get the process cleared,’ Cheney said in an interview on ABC News. Asked whether he still believes it was appropriate to use the waterboarding method on terrorism suspects, Cheney said: ‘I do.’ ”
– Greg Miller, “Cheney OK’d Harsh CIA Tactics,” The Los Angeles Times, Dec. 16, 2008