Lawyer: Some CIA interrogation tactics not OK'd

[IScreamSundays]

Source: Houston Chronicle

WASHINGTON — One of the key Bush administration lawyers in the evolution of the CIA's interrogation program cast doubt on whether the Justice Department approved some of the harsh steps the agency took to get terrorist suspects to talk.

Former Assistant Attorney General Jay Bybee's remarks were contained in a transcript sent to the special prosecutor investigating CIA interrogations by House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers, D-Mich., who also made a copy public on Thursday.

Interviewed by Judiciary Committee members on May 26, Bybee stressed the limits that he helped set on how far the CIA could go while at the same time acknowledging that his legal advice helped pave the way for tactics such as waterboarding, which evokes the sensation of drowning.

"I do wish to repeat that we said on page 2 of the techniques memo ... that repetition will not be substantial" on waterboarding, Bybee reminded the committee in quoting from one of his own legal memoranda.

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Read more: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/top/all/7110607.html

[midnight]

1. Can we know go back and investigate?

[Vattel]

2. The Durham investigation has been going on for quite a while.

Bybee and Yoo's crazy legal opinions are, in effect, protecting many from prosecution. But if some of the CIA torture went beyond what Bybee and Yoo specifically signed off on, there is hope for prosecutions.

[Robb]

3. Indeed. And it sounds like Bybee might've left a little loophole

...in covering his own ass, other asses might yet be left to hang out. ;)

[No Elephants]

4. Bybee sold his soul in exchange for a seat on the federal bench. He should be impeached and Gonzo

should be in jail for selling the seat in return for memos covering Bushco's collective asses.

Supposedly, the exchange went something like (liberally re-worded):

Bybee: Hey, Al, how about a seat for me on the federal bench?

Gonzo: Hmmm. Nothing open at the moment that's not already spoken for, Jay. Here. this will help me figure out how qualified you may be for a federal judgeship. Prepare some memos showing why the enhanced interrogation techniques the boss--you know, the guy you want to nominate you-- has ALREADY been using do NOT violate the Constitution of the United States, federal statutes or any treaties to which the U.S. is a party, especially, the 1976 treaty against torture that Raygun (moment of awed silence) signed us up for. then we'll see what we can do for you, careerwise.

Bybee: Even though this probably violates legal ethics six ways to Gitmo, I have no problem whatsoever with proving to you that I am benchworthy by preparing memos to cover Bushco's collective bottom. Er, how soon after I finish the memos will I get a good career move?

http://writ.news.findlaw.com/dean/20050114.html

http://www.nybooks.com/articles/archives/2005/feb/10/torture-and-gonzales-an-exchange/

[bemildred]

5. Butt covering.

"We didn't approve any really bad torture, only reasonable and measured torture."
:puke: