http://www.businessinsider.com/while-defending-enhanced-interrogation-former-cia-director-michael-hayden-whaled-on-a-subordinate-in-front-of-a-shocked-obama-team-2012-6
The new Daniel Klaidman book Kill or Capture is out today, and details the Obama administration's approach to national security. And there are some juicy details coming out of it.
and.....
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/barackobama/9309372/War-in-the-White-House-attorney-general-Eric-Holder-and-top-Obama-adviser-David-Axelrod-had-to-be-separated.html
The new Daniel Klaidman book Kill or Capture is out today, and details the Obama administration's approach to national security. And there are some juicy details coming out of it.
During the transition period from the Bush to Obama administrations, former CIA director Michael Hayden wanted to defend the CIA's practice of 'enhanced interrogation', what critics call 'torture.' Obama had been harshly critical of the practice during his campaign.
Hayden got that chance in December of 2008, at a meeting with Obama and his top security advisors at their Chicago office.
From the book:
Hayden had prepared assiduously , showing up with charts and slides. But his most unusual prop was David Shedd, the deputy DNI for policy, plans, and requirements. Not long into his presentation., Hayden called Shedd over. Suddenly, unexpectedly, Hayden slapped Shedd's face. Then he grabbed him by the lapels and started to shake him. He'd wanted to throw him up against the wall during this demonstration, but there were chairs in the way. Instead he explained to Obama and his aides about the interrogation technique known as "walling," in which detainees were thrown against a flexible artificial wall that made a loud noise on impact but cause little physical pain.
Hayden went on to explain that the only other three techniques still used then were playing loud music, keeping lights on all day and sleep deprivation. He didn't mention that sleep deprivation was accomplished by hanging prisoners from ceiling hooks.
Hayden thought he absolutely nailed it. But according to the book, "At least one of the president-elect's advisors, on the other hand, felt like he'd just stepped off the set of a Dr. Strangelove remake.
and.....
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/barackobama/9309372/War-in-the-White-House-attorney-general-Eric-Holder-and-top-Obama-adviser-David-Axelrod-had-to-be-separated.html
Eric Holder, who heads Mr Obama's justice department, is said to have become "incensed" after being accused by David Axelrod of complaining publicly about political interference in his office.
"That's bull****," Mr Holder said in a confrontation after a cabinet meeting, according to author Daniel Klaidman. He writes: "The two men stood chest to chest. It was like a school yard fight".
The relatively mild-mannered Mr Axelrod is said to have told the attorney general: "Don't ever, ever accuse me of trying to interfere with the operations of the Justice Department", a taboo in US politics.
In 'Kill or Capture: The War on Terror and the Soul of the Obama Presidency', Klaidman discloses the struggles within Mr Obama's White House at it mounted its controversial campaign against al-Qaeda.
He writes that Mr Holder and Mr Axelrod were separated by Valerie Jarrett, a White House adviser and confidante to Mr Obama. Ms Jarrett "pushed her way between the two men, her sense of decorum disturbed, ordering them to 'take it out of the hallway'," says Klaidman.
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