Sunday, May 3, 2009

Channeling Nixon?

Can anyone point out to me any qualitative difference between these two statements?

Former President Richard Nixon, about Watergate:

"When the president does it, that means that it is not illegal.”


Former Secretary of State within the George W. Bush administration Condoleezza Rice, regarding waterboarding:

"By definition, if it was authorized by the president, it did not violate our obligations under the Conventions Against Torture."