of state out. >> did you push back at all? did you say we need to have as many people onboard? this is a policy change we're doing? >> we did. i'm going on memory here. the email refreshed some of it, but as i recall, we went back and said we've always briefed secretary of state on covert action programs and in fact, secretary powell was briefed and as it turned out he did not blow his stack. >> i want to ask about another quote. this is an interesting one. in june 2003 president obama released a statement in support of victims of torture. the president said the u.s. was committed to the worldwide elimination of torture and called for prosecuting all acts of torture and says that american detainees and prisoners are treated humanely. the very next day according to this report you called the white house lawyers to express concern and to maybe get a reaffirmation that the techniques by the cia are okay. isn't that an acknowledgement that the u.s. was engaging in torture? >> no. i think it's what any, i