"WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The CIA withheld information about a secret counterterrorism program from Congress during the Bush administration on direct orders from then-Vice President Dick Cheney, current CIA director Leon Panetta told members of Congress, a knowledgeable source confirmed to CNN.

A knowledgeable source familiar with the matter said the counterterrorism program in question was initiated shortly after the September 11, 2001, attacks on New York and Washington.

The program was on-again, off-again and was never fully operational, but was rather, a tool put on the shelf that could have been used, the source said. Panetta has put an end to the program, according to the source.

The disclosure to the House and Senate intelligence committees about Cheney's involvement by Panetta was first reported in the New York Times. Efforts to contact Cheney for reaction were unsuccessful late Saturday."

Where is Cheney now? Not on Meet the Press or Face the Nation? I guess its easier to trash Obama than it is to hold yourself accountable.

At first, I was against a trial against Dick Cheney b/c of the political mess it was cause even though I always knew he was a crook. I was ready to bury it in the past for the good of the country, but now I'm rethinking that position. I'll wait to see how credible this source is and what comes to light in the days ahead.