Holder’s Step in the Right Direction
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…