You Say Exemption, He Says Solution

You know the old song about pronunciation. "Let's call the whole thing off," eh? I love Helen Thomas and she has spring a new leak in the W, Rove and Co. Levee protecting Iraq. Pretty soon, Scotty, the boy with his finger in it, won't be able to keep the flood waters back - and with FEMA on the job, we are in for a torrent when the truth seeps out:

Q I have another question. You keep saying we don't torture, but you're trying to negotiate a compromise where we can, an exemption.

MR. McCLELLAN: That's not correct, and I've told you that before.

Q What is correct?

MR. McCLELLAN: The President has made it very clear that we do not torture and we do not engage in torture.

Q But you want an exemption.

MR. McCLELLAN: Now, what we do want to do is continue working with Senator McCain and others to come up with a good solution. And Steve Hadley had a meeting --

Q A solution to what?

MR. McCLELLAN: Steve Hadley had a good discussion with Senator McCain earlier today; it was a constructive discussion. We are continuing to work with Senator McCain and his staff to find a good solution on how we move forward. And Secretary Rice spoke about this at length just last week --

Q Why do you need a solution if we don't torture?

MR. McCLELLAN: -- and talked about the difficult issues that are involved here, because we're talking about the safety and security of the American people, and we're engaged in a different kind of war against a very dangerous enemy.

Q -- need an exemption? Isn't that what you're trying --

MR. McCLELLAN: That's not a correct assessment, Helen, because there are already laws that prevent and prohibit torture.

Q What's it all about then?

MR. McCLELLAN: I think we've made it very clear. Maybe you should go back and look at what we've said over the last couple weeks.

Q It has not been clear. I want to know why you need an exemption to torture.

MR. McCLELLAN: That is not correct. There are already laws on the books that prohibit torture, both treaties and our own laws. And our own laws prohibit torture.

Humm, so exactly what kind of solution is the W, Rove and Co seeking in compromise about with McCain? I suppose we will see it when it actually reaches the public sphere, but aren't you the least bit curious?