In a heated 10-minute exchange, MSNBC host Chris Matthews confronts CIA Deputy Director Mike Morrell with the question of why, during the run-up to the U.S. invasion of Iraq, he let Vice President Dick Cheney get away with saying Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein was building nuclear weapons.

The exchange is a great example of what Hannah Arendt called the “Banality of Evil“–Morrell evades responsibility for the horrific, disastrous invasion and subsequent occupation by saying his job was merely to brief the administration officials, not to correct them when they apparently lied to the public.

In other words, Morrell is not an Edward Snowden.

— Posted by Alexander Reed Kelly.

 Wait, before you go…

If you're reading this, you probably already know that non-profit, independent journalism is under threat worldwide. Independent news sites are overshadowed by larger heavily funded mainstream media that inundate us with hype and noise that barely scratch the surface. We believe that our readers deserve to know the full story. Truthdig writers bravely dig beneath the headlines to give you thought-provoking, investigative reporting and analysis that tells you what’s really happening and who’s rolling up their sleeves to do something about it.

Like you, we believe a well-informed public that doesn’t have blind faith in the status quo can help change the world. Your contribution of as little as $5 monthly or $35 annually will make you a groundbreaking member and lays the foundation of our work.

Support Truthdig
In this Article:
#chris matthews#cia#dick cheney#george w bush#iraq war#msnbc#nuclear arms#saddam hussein#video