The Daily MuckThe Judge Advocates General for each branch of the military have informed Republican senators that Bush’s recent executive order on CIA interrogation could still allow abuse, and that the order is carefully written to allow for humiliating and degrading interrogation tactics. The Justice Department insists that the order, which does not rule out tactics like waterboarding, is consistent with the Geneva Convention. (Boston Globe)
Former Rep. Mark Foley (R-FL) is unlikely to face charges for having sexually explicit conversations with young men, unless new evidence comes for demonstrating intent. Meanwhile, investigators have still been denied access to Foley’s office computers, which have been declared congressional work papers. Via Think Progress. (TC Palm)
Michael Chertoff’s name has been at the forefront of the D.C. rumor mill as a replacement for Attorney General Gonzales. And the scrutiny has already begun, as Salon explores his fortuitous lack of memory on the issue of detainee abuse during his stint at the Justice Department. (Salon)
A military jury began deliberations yesterday in the case against Army Lt. Col. Steven L. Jordan, the former director of Abu Ghraib prison and the highest-ranking officer accused of abusing Abu Ghraib detainees. Defense lawyers attacked the government’s top witness during closing arguments, saying Maj. Donald Reese falsely testified that Jordan condoned prisoner nudity. (AP)
President Bush was shocked to learn in 2005 that the Iraq War was gobbling up so many resources that it left little material to find Osama bin Laden. During a secret CIA slide show to the president, Bush was surprised to learn there were so few CIA agents stationed in Pakistan and Afghanistan to hunt for the man responsible for 9/11. (Think Progress)
The administration has agreed to delay the implementation of a new policy that would require exhaustive personnel screening of all non-profits associated with USAID. Critics lambasted the program for its secrecy, as well as its broad mandate to stop terrorism that could easily be used to disrupt legitimate organizations. (Washington Post)
Spooky. Via War and Piece: could Rep. Rick Renzi (R-AZ) have been a spy? The man who served on the House Intelligence Committee, and who has decided not to seek reelection due to a continuing federal corruption investigation, has an unclear history, even though he has served in a very public office. He’s said he worked overseas at the Defense Department but that is all that could be dug up through public records. (Arizona Central)