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Congress Seeking Zelikow's "Alternative" Torture Memo
Congress has asked Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for a 2005 memo written by a top State Department lawyer, which is said to have taken an alternative view on the legality of torture to that famously offered by DOJ lawyers.
In a letter to Clinton, Reps John Conyers and Howard Berman, who chair, respectively, the Judiciary and Foreign Affairs committees wrote that the memo "may shed important light on the process by which these interrogation practices were evaluated, approved, ad implemented by the former Administration." Reps Jerry Nadler and Bill Delahunt, who chair subcommittees of Judiciary and Foreign Affairs, respectively, also signed on.
As we've written about, Philip Zelikow, who was a top State Department lawyer under Condoleezza Rice, last month revealed the existence of the memo -- as well as the fact that the Bushies not only didn't act on it, but even "attempted to collect and destroy all copies" of it.
In their letter to Clinton, Conyers et al call this response, with some understatement, "troubling."
The lawmakers have also written to the National Archives to request a copy of the memo.
Josh
Zachary
What??!!
Documents are requested from the Obama//Bush Administration that where seemingly already fully vetted by our Executive, Legislative and Judicial Leaders and Branches of our US Government and as Testified and applied within all in the Obama//AG Holder Court Judicial proceedings within the recent past 100 days, including the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals as being identical to the former Bush Administration (State Secrets)!!
Should the correct focus (also and at least concurrently) be applied to the Congressional Judicary Chairman John Conyers of 7/2008 'Executive Powers and Its Limitations' Impeachment Hearings!! ?? !!
May 4, 2009 2:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
No! The correct focus here is to get a copy of Zellikow memo.
BTW - What 7/2008 impeachment hearings? If you are going to try to change the subject by making wild accusations, back them up with links.
May 5, 2009 8:50 AM | Reply | Permalink
Johann, I would have expected that you would have well re-called these John Conyers, US Congressional Judicary Committee Hearings. Especially as Congressman Dennis Kucinich was invited to Testify, as was former California prosecutor Vincent Bugliosi(Charles Manson conviction) whom testified he is devoting his remaining years to the Prosecution endeavors of George W. Bush, (et all?) for murder, also a or several distinguished former Representatives that where on the Nixon Impeachment Panel also Testified and stated the John Conyers, 'Presidential Powers and Its Limitations' 'Impeachment Hearings' are the most important Hearings in memory (recent century). You may recall Speaker Palosi and Senator Kennedy where against the Impeachment of Bush, et all.
As the 'We the People' where seemingly at fever pitch for Transparency, 'Oversight and Accountability' = Impeachment of Bush, therefore the 'Presidential Powers and Its Limitations' 'Impeachment hearings' and is referenced in Testimony within these Hearings.
Also, as the legal/(illegal!!) pardon(s) (Libby) from President Bush are//where also a concern and (past Nixon era, I would presume) and as they are seemingly in violation of our US Constitution, Bill of Rights and I presume could also easily be alleged as an additional serious cover-up. (It is not necessary for me to mention, although it was reported that Rep. Jane Harmon was excluded from these Hearings//did not make the review process cut, so to speak).
Again, my apologies for any lack of clarity and/or less than expected blog comment replies, although I continue to remain firm that the Government Accountability Project and with the National Whistleblower center appear to be in compliance with the mandates of our US Constitution, Bill of Rights as formidable Representatives for a proper and forthright of the ' Federal Employee Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Restoration Act and to open/re-open all past cases and new cases, where aplicable)'.
(I do not know how to write/copy or paste links).
Just click on US Congress, the Judicary Committee, ecetra. Full or some transcripts of these hearings, should be available. Also, please note that these are to my recollection ongoing active hearings. As our 'We the People' access to our US Executive, Legislative and Judicial Branches of Government have seemingly disappeared, at best, lets hope our US Congressional hearings have not also disappeared and/or as soon as they are announced!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you for your time and consideration.
May 5, 2009 9:58 AM | Reply | Permalink
Johann, As I have posted a reply and as I have more fully read your reply, could your NO be reconsidered to be changed to a Yes at least within for review for further consideration.
Please note the the US Congressional Judicary Committee Impeachment Hearings consideration of 'Presidential Powers and Its Limitations' 7/2008, 8/2008, 9/2008 are allowing and have requested and ongoing, all additional information, documents ecetra. (Also, include my reference that Rep. Jane Harmon was excluded at that time from testifiying at these hearings, did not make the cut so to speak was reported in our news media).
May 5, 2009 10:23 AM | Reply | Permalink
No, my "No" will remain a "NO" until you provide some links to your assertions.
May 6, 2009 7:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
Why not ask Zellikow if he has a copy of the memo?
May 4, 2009 9:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
Could Zellikow having a copy of that memo be a violation of some secrecy law since, if it exists anywhere, it is probably classified to the hilt by the Bush Administration?
May 5, 2009 8:52 AM | Reply | Permalink