The board goes to great lengths to both minimize America's descent into criminal war and torture in the aftermath of 9/11 and Haspel's role in it. The times were "perilous"; "nothing about the Central Intelligence Agency is easy for outsiders to comprehend"; Haspel was "extremely good at her job"; "Haspel ... is also a proven administrator"; the torture was only "one part of her record." Haspel may get "rave reviews from former national security officials from Democratic and Republican administrations," but she sure doesn't get high-fives from torture victims, including U.S. Sen. John McCain, who opposes her nomination with words the board chose to ignore: "Ms. Haspel's role in overseeing the use of torture by Americans is disturbing. Her refusal to acknowledge torture's immorality is disqualifying. I believe the Senate should exercise its duty of advice and consent and reject this nomination."