Democrats push for torture inquiry
Democrats are seizing on a newly declassified report on harsh interrogations conducted by the military of terror suspects to push for a full inquiry of the Bush administration's use of what critics call torture.
The 232-page report released Tuesday by the Senate Armed Services Committee concluded that the military's use of interrogation tactics -- such as stripping detainees, placing them in stressful body positions, and depriving them of sleep -- were authorized at the top levels of the Bush administration, including Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.
"This exhaustive report offers more evidence of failures within the Bush Administration that allowed officials to set history and the law aside to torture detainees despite evidence such methods don’t work," Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, a Rhode Island Democrat, said in a statement today. “Our country is turning away from this dark moment. But we cannot afford to leave it behind until we fully understand what went wrong, and do what we can to ensure that America never again loses sight of its most sacred principles."
"This report is just one in a number of ongoing efforts to learn the whole truth about the Bush Administration's detention and interrogation program. I am an active participant in the investigation underway in the Senate Intelligence Committee, and I continue to believe that we will eventually need an independent commission of inquiry to provide unassailable recommendations to the nation.”
Besides the Intelligence Committee's investigation, Senator Patrick Leahy of Vermont has been calling for a "truth commission." On Wednesday, President Obama appeared to open the door to an bipartisan congressional probe.
Top Bush officials, including Vice President Dick Cheney, steadfastly claim that the interrogations produced information that helped prevent terrorist attacks. Cheney is seeking the declassification and release of memos that he says would show that.
UPDATE: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi today also endorsed the establishment of a formal "truth commission" to investigate Bush administration anti-terrorism policies, including an examination of the Justice Department lawyers who wrote the memos justifying the interrogations, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
The release last week of the four Justice Department memos has re-energized the push for an investigation or possible prosecution. "Our members are upset about it," Pelosi said of Democrats.
But Senator Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, the ranking Republican on the Judiciary Committee, said in a statement that he opposes such a commission "because all of the facts are readily available to the Department of Justice."
"As I have said before, once the administration has a key to the front door, which they've had for several months, all they have to do is find the right filing cabinets and open them, which they're already doing," Specter said.
Meanwhile, Senators John McCain, Joseph Lieberman, and Lindsey Graham sent a letter to Obama today strongly urging him not to prosecute government officials who provided the legal advice on interrogations.
“Pursuing such prosecutions would, we believe, have serious negative effects on the candor with which officials in any administration provide their best advice, and would take our country in a backward-looking direction at a time when our detainee-related challenges demand that we look forward," they wrote.
“Some of the legal analysis included in the OLC memos released last week was, we believe, deeply flawed," the senators added. "We have also strongly opposed the overly coercive interrogation techniques, including waterboarding, that these memos deemed legal. We do not believe, however, that legal analysis should be criminalized, as proposals to prosecute government lawyers suggest."
They concluded: “As you have made clear, we are a nation at war. Appreciating that reality, we look forward to working with you on the panoply of detainee issues, ranging from interrogation standards to the disposition of detainee cases, which will engage our country going forward. In the interest of national security, it is the future, rather than the past, on which we believe America's gaze must be fixed.”
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I cannot fathom the reasoning behing BHO outing material classified as "top secret". The TV program "Fear Factor" has worse "games" and yet we find the security of our nation and the ability to deal with TERRORIST compremised by this man who has never put America first, He is bowing and scraping to the very people who have brought us so much grief and death.
Daniel Pearl, Thomas Tucker who was shredded into bits, beheadings, gross torture that is going on now in the Muslim world against other Muslims. What do you think they would do to you if they had a chance. .
An example to British politicians and the judiciary alike.
One thing about blokes from Oz is that their hearts and humour are always in
the right place.
T. B. Bechtel, a City Councillor from Newcastle , Australia, was asked on a
local live radio talk show, just what he thought about the allegations of
torture of suspected terrorists.
His reply prompted his ejection from the studio, but to thunderous applause
from the audience.
HIS STATEMENT:
'If hooking up one raghead terrorist prisoner's testicles to a car battery
to get the truth out of the lying little camelshagger will save just one
Australian life, then I have only three things to say,'
'Red is positive,
Black is negative, and
Make sure his nuts are wet.'
why do we care so much if terrorist's get harsh treatment they deserve it , Get off the PC wagon and let the CIA and or the military do what they need to save lives and property of america . So we slapped and deprived them of sleep , they are the bad guys ,why make us the bad guy . Do something worthwhile instead of back biting the Guy's on the line . Or better yet make some rules and live with them why do we have to play this out in the news paper . They are killers and will try to do the same again .
Yawwwnnnn...Democrats already had their inquiry, reached their conclusions, and issued their report. Time to move on. We have much more pressing issues to attend to - or is Obama trying to create a diversion from the terrible job he is doing?
And the methods used were also vetted to many of the same Democrats in congress who now suddenly object. See if that comes out.
Apparently the liberals do not mind torturing unborn babies. Their hypocrisy is nauseating. The fact that President Obama used the word "morality" with respect to war tactics clearly indicates that he is clueless when it comes to imposing "morals" on our society. At any rate, conservatives have learned to ignore the main-stream media and come 2012, the main-stream media will have little or no impact on society.
Please stop calling it "harsh interrogation techniques". It has a name. It is called TORTURE.
The report was written last November by the Senate Committee. Since then it has spent five months being declassified by the DoD. What took so long? Let's move to action now.
Our country has to adhear to rules and laws even when "they" do not. What you conservative war freaks fail to recognize is that if the U.S. is willing use torture on our captives... what about when they capture our young boys and girls. That is an easy answer if you do not have relatives in the fight. However, your own sell out McCain knows that these methods are out-of-line. We can not torture. Period.
BOSTON GLOBE "Democrats push for torture inquiry"
That is because Democrats are no longer Americans... they are Internationalists. Their allegiance is to the UN. They will betray their office and their constituents as needed to promote an agenda and to expand power.
This childish and disgraceful Obama move will mark the first time a president has used attacked a previous adminstration for decisions made during a war.
This will mark the greatest wakeup call for anyone who still thinks Obama is a middle-of-the-road president.
WE ARE IN TROUBLE!!!! When we start spending money to investigate the treatment of terrorist that killed hundreds of American's. I hope this country wakes up an makes dumbama a one termer!!!!!!!!!!
Could it be that the Democrats want to keep the focus on Bush and not on what they are doing! Where is the out cry to investigate Congress over the financial melt down? You can blame Wallstreet, banks, big business all you want but who is in charge of making sure we are protected from these types of events. I actually thought it was Congress. My guess is that a independent investigation of Congress would stink up DC more the it already stinks. Congress seems to be outraged over everyones actions but their own!
I don't agree with the techniques used especially stripping people and have others look into your private parts it's sickening.It's time to put an end to these techniques wether be a terrorist or any other human being that walk the earth.I say cut the crab and treat every people with the proper and humane treatment.
Obama wants to force all MD's 2 perform abortions, no matter how they feel about it or eles. Now that's what I call real torture. Funny how the Left/media does not think that's wrong and unfair!
BTY:I'm a Dem &100% pro-choice
Apparently the liberals do not mind torturing unborn babies. Their hypocrisy is nauseating. The fact that President Obama used the word "morality" with respect to war tactics clearly indicates that he is clueless when it comes to imposing "morals" on our society. At any rate, conservatives have learned to ignore the main-stream media and come 2012, the main-stream media will have little or no impact on society.
President Bush an Vice President Cheney decided to cast aside precedents of the Geneva Convention from which Japanese and Germans were convicted of torture and war crimes. As we the American people have now come to find out, just because you repeat fears, war tactics, and terrorism issues over and over does not mean truth lies within. Let the convictions fall where they may. The American view is one with the world on lying, cheating and phony stratiegic simplicities complicated by political cover your butt tactics. There was no connection between Saddam Hussein and Al-qaida. History always tells the truth.
"Raghead", huh, "oregonmom"? Hey Foon, take down that fucking racist comment and cut out the "what crirics call" equivocation. Oregonmom et al.- you people are a bunch of ignorant clowns, I swear to God.
"Dick Cheney said..."
Fuck Dick Cheney.
Because we now have time to focus on this "torture" issue that must means our dire economic crisis must be resolved, right?
Like Cheney said, let's show America the top secret memo's that record the plans coughed up during these sessions to wipe out people at the mall or sitting in the donut shop or McDonalds. Read the memo's then ask yourself if it was worth it, considering it could have been your kid on the stretcher. Did Clinton's administration protect us? Can't ask the 3000 missing since 9-11.
Interesting how "sevengali" Cheney pops up trying to "justify" torture and
misguided devotees, including not only the responders here, but the media monguls who seize the opportunity to fan the flames to reel in money, follow suit.
It shameful how low we've sunk as a nation when our basic values and principles are so easily dissuaded by the likes of Cheney.
If it were not for my parents, teachers and ethical leaders, including McCain, I could easily promote the idea Cheney be waterboarded/tortured to have him confess to his war crimes, having duped Bush and us into the Iraq invasion.
cririch crimes
Dems are a bunch of wusses.....get over it and find something else to yap at....right along with your Spokes Person Perez Hiltion
ALL.........PLEASE KEEP IN MIND, THESE ARE PEOPLE THAT ADMITTEDLY WOULD CUT YOUR CHILDS ARMS OF, CHOP YOUR DADS HEAD OFF, RAP3 YOUR WIFE AND DAUGHTERS, FLY PLANES INTO BUILDINGS HOUSING INNOCENT PEOPLE, BURN OUR SOLDIERS AND DRAG THEM THU THE STREET AND MAME THEIR BODIES, THESE PEOPLE HAVE NO QUALMS BEHEADING MEN AND WOMAN, USING BOXES OF NAILS TIED TO EXPLOSIVES IN THE MIDDLE OF A RESTAURANT...WHAT MORE NEED TO HAPPEN IN ORDER FOR YOU ALL TO UNDERSTAND. THESE TACTICS HAVE WORKED TO SAVE THE VERY RIGHT YOU HAVE EXPRESSING YOURSELVES THESE FORUMS. WE DO NOT NEED TO KNOW EVERYTHING OUR GOVERNMENT IS OING TO PROTECT US.ONTHESETHE;A;;AMS
Would it be wrong to torture somebody to get information that might prevent one of our cities being nuked?. Stories like we see on TV and in the movies can really come to pass in reality. Right after 9/11/2001 we didn't know what was going to happen next or who our enemies were. In the context of that time anything would have been justified to save the country. We really really didn't know whether or not we were about to go down. Try to imagine the possibilities with simultaneous hits on all of our big cities. When we saw what happened in New York City we knew that just about anything was possible. People that think that the US cannot go down in flames are as naive little children.
Some of you wingnuts are just to funny.
To U can keep your change: MD's still have a choice. They just wont get federal benefits if they don't perform abortions. It's their choice.
To H Myers: It's all very funny, when people mention how good of a job Bill Clinton did with the economy. The right tries to claim that law makers don't have much to do with the economy. Now all the sudden they do..... ROFL.
To Tom: We executed japs after WW2 for waterboarding our people. Enough said.
To oscarbozach : How is it Obama's fault that Bush and Co. broke the law?
To Simon: And conservative morals are so great right? I mean you people used a method that got japs executed after WW2. It's exactly what Osama wanted us to do. And you tools fell for it. What morons. And the only party the imposes morals on people are the conservatives. Main stream media wont be needed for the next election. Conservatives have brought this on to themselves and only have themselves to blame for putting Bush in the White House. So long to the tyranny of the conservatives. Some morals you have, torturing people. Who says it will stop at the terrorist? Conservatives keep following the path of the NAZI's.
To Tony Waters: Because we executed japs after WW2 for waterboarding. why wouldn't we follow the same laws?
To Oregon Mom: You don't win wars today with bombing the hell out of them and hope they will all the sudden like you. The key is the people in the area. Win there hearts and the evil will be defeated. Why do you suppose we can't find Osama? There are millions of people protecting him. You know how much actionable intelligence came from waterboarding? None.
I hear the Bush and Co. kept us safe for 7 years. Can any wingnuts point to an attack that was thwarted? Didn't think so.
Oregon Mom is a sad, pathetic bigot who doesn't represent any values I recognize as American. Remember the movie Twelve Angry Men?
BOSTON GLOBE WROTE: "Democrats want probe over Bush interregation methods"
Where are the Democrats who want a probe over how the financial meltdown began? Odd that they seem to have no interest in that trigger. They call it the greatest financial meltdown in 70 years and not one hearing on the cause... only hearings on the Wall Street aftermath.
Socialist Bernie Sanders called for hearings on the cause a few months ago and then suddenly not a word from him. Interesting huh?
If it means saving American lives,we should do whatever is necessary.These talibanis and al-quaeda are nothing but pigs.If what was done to these animals saved one young American soldier or citizen ,it was worth it.Why don't these liberals take these scumbags home to meet the family
I hear the Bush and Co. kept us safe for 7 years. Can any wingnuts point to an attack that was thwarted? Didn't think so.
Posted by Daniel
Why yes Daniel, the previous administration can point to threats that were thwarted. They stopped a plot for at least one plane to be highjacked and flown into a Los Angeles skyscraper shortly after 9/11/01. You can find more once Obama takes Cheney up on his offer to release the memos illustrating such proof since he is the President of transparency as he said during his campaign.
Apparently, the rumors are true. Conservatives have lost their minds, hence, "That is because Democrats are no longer Americans... they are Internationalists. Their allegiance is to the UN." Yada, yada, yada. The party of no ideas is regurgitating the same old crap it has spewed for the past 8 years. When Democrats criticized Bush, they were called "unAmerican" and "treasonous." Now, they are "no longer Americans" because they support the president. Don't any of you realize how ridiculous you sound? Of course not. Parrots don't think; they merely repeat. Garbage in; garbage out...
Daniel:"To U can keep your change: MD's still have a choice. They just wont get federal benefits if they don't perform abortions. It's their choice."
Let me dumb this down for u again! I'm a Dem, not a "wing nut"! Did you miss me saying that? My spouse and most of my friends r MD's. BTY who happen to be 100% pro-choice and dems. They strongly feel that the "change" should not force them 2 do abortions. A women can have a choice, but MD's can't. Yeah, that sounds real fair and tolerate. As for the "It's their choice comment" Is sooooo stupid that I can't even respond. You sound like a very unhappy person. I wish u the best getting over your anger issues
President Wimpy has set us up for another 911. He is so stupid to think that you can make friends with the terrorists by have a dialogue with them. He has really set us up. My husband and I have recently bought handguns; one .38 special for me and a Glock .40 calliber Semi-automatic for him. We are stockpiling ammo and food because we truly believe we are going to have either a rebellion, revolution or anarchy because of a black man being in the White House. I understand that the Aryan Nation/Brotherhood or whatever they call themselves are recruiting in northern Idaho. I downloaded all the torture memos and have read them. We didn't torture those guys. The terrorists torture people.
I