Gates Supported Release of Memos

Seems like everyone in D.C. wants to voice their opinion on the release of the controversial torture memos. Speaking today in North Carolina, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said he had been in favor of releasing the documents, taking the pragmatic view that they would eventually be leaked anyway. Gates added that one of the most important aspects of their release was that the CIA agents that carried out the torture be protected. He also considered the possibility of "backlash in the Middle East" as well as the memos being used as a recruiting tool by al-Qaeda. But in the end, in light of congressional probes and several lawsuits, Gates supported the release of the memos.