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Judge Orders Bush Admininistration to Explain Destruction of CIA Tapes
A federal judge said Thursday that CIA interrogation videotapes may have been relevant to his court case, and he gave the Bush administration three weeks to explain why they were destroyed in 2005 and say whether other evidence was destroyed.Several judges are considering wading into the dispute over the videos, but U.S. District Judge Richard W. Roberts was the first to order the administration to provide a written report on the matter. The decision is a legal setback for the Bush administration, which has urged courts not to get involved.
The AP also has a helpful rundown on where things stand with the other courts that have looked into the matter:
The Justice Department has warned that a judicial inquiry could jeopardize the criminal investigation. U.S. District Judge Henry H. Kennedy, the first judge to consider the question, held a public hearing before agreeing not to hear evidence in the case.Earlier this month, a federal judge in New York said destroying the tapes appeared to have violated his order in a case involving the American Civil Liberties Union. But U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein has not yet said how he will rule.
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Comments (4)
Anonymous wrote on January 25, 2008 12:22 PM:Facts lead where they may -- "a judicial inquiry could jeopardize the criminal investigation." -- "We don't want too many different versions of the facts prancing the DC lobbyists' office. They've got enough problems keeping their lies straight for the poodles at the FEC."
Not likely Congress will get the memo, or read between the lines, If they did, they might have to consider an impeachment investigation:
- "three weeks to explain why they were destroyed" -- The court doesn't believe the current fabrications; and wants them to take more time to get their story consistent with the other fabrications. Congres is still asleep. "Lies?!? How dare they accuse us of sleeping."
- "whether other evidence was destroyed" -- A pattern of conduct raising doubts about the Executive branch's reliability before the Judicial branch, yet Congress says, "We can't look at that."
"why they were destroyed in 2005" -- "You fools, why didn't you tell them to not make any tapes to begin with?" Congress won't say what's in the secret vaults, "We're an independent branch, and you can't look at the screen shots of the videos. . .Uh, what videos??!"
"Several judges are considering wading into the dispute", all working for the Supreme Court that rubber stamps dubious claims of state secrets to suppress evidence review in re alleged war crimes: An "independent" judiciary, just as long as it remains a client of the White House Estate, while Congres lounges the White House sauna.
"appeared to have. . ." We have appearances of a President taking an oath, but not consequences or investigations. The earth appears to be flat. Congress appears to be conducting oversight. We appear to have a Republic. But the facts . . ."Far too scary to contemplate, much less examine," says Congress.
parrot wrote on January 26, 2008 4:56 AM:Gee. Does that mean there is one judge left out of hundreds that still cares about the Constitution and the law? Seriously, where are the other judges pursuing this? Basically, it is war crimes and looking the other way that are going on here. And, frankly, I hope some of these folks are detained and committed to prison...if they have broken laws. Since it seems very likely that laws have been broken...how come no one has done anything except investigate? Why no charges? Why no impeachments? Collusion? Conspiracy? Likely. War crimes...
mari wrote on January 26, 2008 10:08 PM:There is absolutely no honest explanation. the destruction of those tapes is completely in line with the kingly delusion of Bush and his cohorts. At age 75, I have not lived through a more grossly disgusting administration than the Bush horror. His slick behavior, his complete lack of understanding of the function of all THREE
mari wrote on January 26, 2008 10:12 PM:branches of government simply is non existent. This guy has been the horror of Republicans when we elected him not once but twice so we even gave him one more try to completely ruin our country. Sorry to the rest of our country, we shall try to do better next election we are able to win, however distant that chance might be.