WASHINGTON - December 22 - The Real News spoke to Michael Ratner about Dick Cheney's statements regarding U.S. counter terrorism measures and whether the use of torture as well as illegal wiretapping has been successful. Dick Cheney acknowledged that he endorsed and supported such torture techniques including water-boarding. Ratner comments that "Cheney is running through a lot of the policies that have been condemned both in the United States as illegal and worldwide"

"I think people should understand that this was a pretty astounding statement" says Ratner in response to Cheney's admission of illegal tortue techiniques, he continues adding "here you have the vice president of the United States saying it's okay to water board people and I approved it"

According to Ratner these admissions are a last minute attempt for members of the Bush administration to receive a pardon before Obama is sworn in, "this interview is leading up and putting pressure on Bush to give pardons to Bush himself and the rest of them."

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