Strike, Dear Mistress, and Cure His Heart

Continuing its "there's no defense like a good, lying, sliming aggressive offense" on all fronts, Bush Co. has Condoleeza Rice in Europe trying to convince Europeans that torture isn't torture as long as you don't call it torture. The AFP reports:

Like other US officials, Rice stopped short of confirming the existence of the reported detention centers but took no pains [at least no pains of her own, as for those in the detention centers...] to deny it.

"We cannot discuss information that would compromise the success of intelligence, law-enforcement and military operations," she said. "We expect other nations share this view."

And if they don't share this view, we will be sure to compromise them.

She was unapologetic about the use of severe methods to combat terrorism since the September 11, 2001 attacks, particularly the practice of "rendition," or transporting suspects to another country for interrogation.

"Renditions take terrorists out of action and save lives," she said, insisting that they were permissible under international law when traditional extradition is not a workable option.

She then turned in her pair of fabulous boots and offered her own stirring rendition of "Under My Thumb."