Holder selected John Durham (pictured) as special prosecutor.
There have been a number of developments on the CIA torture/enhanced interrogation techniques (EIT according to the antiseptic neocon parlance) front, the most visible being the selection of John Durham as the special prosecutor assigned to investigate transgressions of the DoJ’s strangled legal guidelines governing interrogations. Critics immediately began to decry the decision as a partisan witch hunt, as evidence of an administration bent on exacting retribution from the GOP, and as a war on the country’s intelligence community. Dick Cheney and John McCain have both stated their opposition to an investigation on the grounds that it will harm our national security. McCain, to his credit, believes that continuing to bring American actions into the light will only serve to further foment anger within the Arab world. Cheney, however, opposes it because it would mean we couldn’t do it anymore (and you really only need to watch the first 3:10, though you can subject yourself to the full half hour if you’re feeling masochistic):
If their actions might be investigated and found to be criminal, “they’re not going to sign up for those kinds of missions.” Continue reading…
What is more insidious, more damaging to this country’s already-shattered moral standing in the world, is when our enemies can claim, with any amount of credibility, to be treating imprisoned Americans better than we have treated our detainees, and it’s happening right now. [...]
It’s been a while since I last tackled the torture debate. Since my last post, the release of new information has been delayed again and again, the White House has yet to do the right thing with regards to new photographs of detainee abuse and has gone out of its way to continue Bush Era court fights.
Talk of holding even a truth commission on the issue of atrocities committed by the Bush Administration has been sidelined in public discussion in favor of Iran and, somewhat less legitimately, the death of Michael Jackson. This fact is deeply saddening. We are unwilling to face the fact that for the better part of a decade, our government abandoned the very value and convictions that make us Americans. Those who object to how our intelligence and military apparatus operated over the last few years are accused of making us unsafe, of threatening U S sovereignty and of partisan political warfare. Continue reading…
The problem, President Obama, is that by trying to keep the photos under wraps, the government is keeping us from learning from our mistakes and holding accountable those among us who would toss aside the law and their humanity. [...]
Many have been following the ongoing saga of torture with shock and horror but have no productive outlet for their outrage. Others, believe it or not, have not had the issue brought to their attention. Our government tortured in our name. We can help hold them accountable. [...]
