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Conyers And Nadler To Holder: We Need Special Torture Prosecutor
Reps. John Conyers and Jerry Nadler want a special prosecutor to investigate whether Bush administration officials committed crimes in ordering and justifying torture policies.
In a just-released letter to Attorney General Eric Holder, the Democratic lawmakers write:
The authorization and use of interrogation techniques that likely amounted to torture has generated concern and outrage in this country, and has harmed our legal and moral standing in the world. As a country committed to the rule of law, we must investigate and demand accountability for acts of torture committed by or own our behalf (sic). Appointing a special counsel to undertake this task would serve the interests of the department and of the public in ensuring that the necessary investigation is through and impartial, and that the United States fairly investigates serious and credible accusations of misconduct, even where high-ranking government officials may be involved.
Conyers and Nadler are, respectively, the chair of the House Judiciary committee and the chair of the House Judiciary subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties. As they make clear in their letter, they made similar requests of the two previous Attorneys General over the last few years.
The case for a prosecutor to probe torture -- as opposed to a congressional committee or an outside commission, was well laid out recently by George Washington Law professor Johnathan Turley. Only a special prosecutor, Turley argued on MSNBC, will be sufficiently independent to ensure genuine accountability, rather than merely providing political cover.
In recent days, President Obama has backed off the idea of an outside commission, after at first seeming to embrace it. But the special prosecutor idea doesn't appear to even be on the table.
Josh
Zachary
'As they make clear in their letter, they made similar requests of the two previous Attorneys General over the last few years.'
What??!!
Where are the subpoenas from the last 8 years??!! and when, if ever will they be acted upon by this US Congressional Committee??!!
Just one subpoenaed and in contempt violation of John Conyers US Congressional Judicary Subpoena is Wall Street Journal Writer and Main Stream Media FOX Commentator, Karl Rove.
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Is it correct that it is the same complicit and/or continuing 'Pack of Lies' and/or 'Change We Must Believe In' from the entire Administrative Leadership and not the faith for the hope for the 'Change We Can Believe In'?
Is there any faith to hope President Obama will recall 'Dr. Martin Luther King many statements on Complicity and in-action and/or avoidance of proper and forthright action.'
Also, is there any faith to hope President Obama will recall his verbal and written promise to the 'Federal Employee Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Restoration Act'??!!
Hopefully the Leadership will immediately (THIS WEEK!!!!) apply and implement the 'Change We Can Believe In' with the immediate US LEGISLATIVE, FULL FLOOR VOTE of the Identical S1385/HR985 Bills 'FEDERAL EMPLOYEE WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTION ENHANCEMENT RESTORATION ACT' and not the continued support for the continued intolerable Corrupt Policies, Practices and Procedures of the previous Administration(s) and Leadership(s) thereof, as applicable!!!!!
As you may recall our entire US Executive, Legislative and Judicial Branches of Government seemingly have always fully supported this 'Veto Proof' Bill, including as recently as these Identical Legislative Bills of S1385 in 2003/4/5/6 and HR985 in 2007/8/9.
Or is this some ongoing type of Brainwashing and with (ongoing Nixon Pardons and non-prosecutions, Regan and Bush era(s) of non-prosecution!! ecetra!!) and/or with a complete lack of respect for God, Man and Country and within our US Constitution, Bill of Rights and Declaration for Life, Liberty and Happiness for All.
With a continued appearance to suggest to ignore (Illegal) War(s), murder(s), wrongful death(s), torture(s) (Domestic and International), Loss of Habeas Corpus, Wrongful Wiretaps, Wrongful Secrets, (massive) Corruption, seemingly many and/or all 'Oversight and Accountability' applications and endeavors thereof, ecetra.
Where is/are Judicary Committee Chairpersons John Conyers !! and House Speaker Nancy Palosi !! on the (ongoing ??!!) 7/2008 'Presidential Powers and Its Limitations'!! Empeachment Hearings !! (Testimony as the most important Hearing in the past Century!!) which should seemingly include Negraponte, fromer President Regan era et all (Wolfowitz?) 'School of the Americas' now 'The Institute of .....' ??!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you and all for your continued indulgence within in these matters.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
April 28, 2009 5:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
It is on a rare occasion that I have found myself supporting former
president George Bush, but now that he is gone, I have found one subject
which he and I can wholeheartedly agree. It is this:
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
June 26, 2003
STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT
United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture
Today, on the United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of
Torture, the United States declares its strong solidarity with torture
victims across the world. Torture anywhere is an affront to human dignity
everywhere. We are committed to building a world where human rights are
respected and protected by the rule of law.
Freedom from torture is an inalienable human right. The Convention Against
Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment, ratified by the
United States and more than 130 other countries since 1984, forbids
governments from deliberately inflicting severe physical or mental pain or
suffering on those within their custody or control. Yet torture continues
to be practiced around the world by rogue regimes whose cruel methods
match their determination to crush the human spirit. Beating, burning,
rape, and electric shock are some of the grisly tools such regimes use to
terrorize their own citizens. These despicable crimes cannot be tolerated
by a world committed to justice....
The United States is committed to the world-wide elimination of torture
and we are leading this fight by example. I call on all governments to
join with the United States and the community of law-abiding nations in
prohibiting, investigating, and prosecuting all acts of torture and in
undertaking to prevent other cruel and unusual punishment. I call on all
nations to speak out against torture in all its forms and to make ending
torture an essential part of their diplomacy. I further urge governments
to join America and others in supporting torture victims' treatment
centers, contributing to the UN Fund for the Victims of Torture, and
supporting the efforts of non-governmental organizations to end torture
and assist its victims.
No people, no matter where they reside, should have to live in fear of
their own government. Nowhere should the midnight knock foreshadow a
nightmare of state-commissioned crime. The suffering of torture victims
must end, and the United States calls on all governments to assume this
great mission.
April 28, 2009 7:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
The irony is simply astounding!
April 29, 2009 12:35 AM | Reply | Permalink
Torture investigations and even prosecutions should not take our eyes off the ball of Constitutional violations by the Cheney/Bush administration.
April 28, 2009 9:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think this will be kept simmering on the back burner until it serves the Dem. Party in the 2010 election.
Their strategy will be keeping the foreign governments from pressing the issue.
Either way, I think a price will be paid by someone near (but not at) the tippy top.
Where is Don Rumsfeld vacationing these days, anyway?
April 28, 2009 11:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
Holder is apparently right now in Europe. Poland has a prosecutor who has already been investigating - for a year now - a CIA torture site there, authorized from the highest levels in Poland. The guy is apparently closing in on the key links in his case. This thing is going to be driven from abroad. And it may not be possible to hold back all the dams that may start bursting from abroad.
There are several versions circulating of an article from Der Spiegel. One link is here:
http://www.truthout.org/042809E
April 29, 2009 12:41 AM | Reply | Permalink
Reps. John Conyers and Jerry Nadler - Representatives? Talk about political positioning - Geezz. Hey, "let's spend a few trillion more", that not even on the table.
When you actually stop and think about it, this entire stage show is pretty funny!
April 29, 2009 11:36 PM | Reply | Permalink