Hey, Look! A Response!

Last night, it occurred to me that the NYTimes torture piece might just make a small splash and then disappear. It certainly wouldn't be the first time such a thing happened. But, lo and behold, people were actually paying attention. The press decided not to just give it quick lip service and move on to something else, they actually pursued it in this morning's press gaggle. White House spokesperson Dana Perino must've been up late last night at Arthur Murray, because she certainly had her dancing shoes on this morning. She didn't really get very far, but you've got to admire the effort. TPMmuckraker has the transcript. But the press weren't the only ones interested in pursuing the issue. John Conyers is pressing to get his own copy of the memo for the House Judiciary Committee. Unfortunately, it's not clear quite what the committee will do when the Bushies refuse to provide the document. Congress hasn't exactly had the best track record of enforcing supbeonas these days. Barack Obama weighed in with a straightforward denunciation of the practice.

The secret authorization of brutal interrogations is an outrageous betrayal of our core values, and a grave danger to our security.

You'd think some things would go without saying, wouldn't you? He also told us that he wouldn't torture if he wins the presidency.

We'll keep an eye on this to see if anything actually comes of all this outrage. It's still got the option of making a small splash and being quickly forgotten.