This is what Bush fears.

This gives a good idea what Bush fears. That investigations into prisoner treatment, abuse, torture, and "renditions"(god that orwellian euphemism kills me,) could reveal that this administration was indeed responsible for what we've already seen, and what it looks like we're about to see, which according to Sy Hersh includes more senseless beatings, molestation, sodomizing a boy in video, and possible rape.

If these horrific pictures are linked to a statement of policy, this administration is over.

Look how he fears accountability.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The White House on Friday threatened to veto a $440.2 billion defense spending bill in the Senate because it wasn't enough money for the Pentagon and also warned lawmakers not to add any amendments to regulate the treatment of detainees or set up a commission to probe abuse.

Last summer, Republican Sens. John McCain of Arizona and John Warner of Virginia and others sought legislation banning cruel and degrading treatment of prisoners.

And what this means going forward is that the fight over congressional elections coming up is going to probably be even nastier than the 2004 presidential fight. As congress could appoint special prosecutors and conduct investigations backed with subpoena, the republicans cannot afford to lose their majority. If they do, we will see a flood of investigations into all this stuff that the republicans have been doing. They cannot afford to lose.

And while I'm at it, take a look at this from way back on the wrongheadedness of torture as policy. I still think it's my best blog entry.