![The National Security State as a Criminal Enterprise](https://www.commondreams.org/media-library/former-president-george-w-bush-emphasizing-a-point-during-remarks-given-from-in-the-east-room-of-the-white-house-on-sept-6-20.jpg?id=32281509&width=1200&height=400&quality=90&coordinates=0%2C0%2C0%2C182)
Former President George W. Bush emphasizing a point during remarks given from in the East Room of the White House on Sept. 6, 2006. (Photo: White House archive)
The National Security State as a Criminal Enterprise
It came from the top and that's never been a secret. The president authorized the building of those CIA "black sites" and the use of what came to be known as "enhanced interrogation techniques" and has spoken of this with a certain pride.