Are Leading Democrats Afraid of a Special Prosecutor to Investigate Torture?

[Orwellian_Ghost]

Congress was briefed in real time on the Bush-era torture tactics. Is that why some Democrats prefer whitewash commissions and closed-door hearings?

By Jeremy Scahill

There are not exactly throngs of Democratic Congressmembers beating down the doors of the Justice Department demanding that Attorney General Eric Holder appoint a special Independent Prosecutor to investigate torture and other crimes. And now it seems that whatever Congress does in the near term won’t even be open to the public. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) said this week that he prefers that the Senate Intelligence Committee hold private hearings. The chair of the committee, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, has asked the White House not to take any action until this private affair is concluded. She estimates that will take 6-8 months.

“I think it would be very unwise, from my perspective, to start having commissions, boards, tribunals, until we find out what the facts are,” Reid said Wednesday. “I don’t know a better way of getting the facts than through the intelligence committee.” It is hard to imagine other Democrats bucking Reid on this and there is certainly no guarantee that the committee will release an unclassified report when it concludes its private inquiry. While Representative John Conyers says he will hold hearings, that is not the same as the independent criminal investigation this situation warrants.

Then there is the deeply flawed plan coming from the other influential camp in the Democratic leadership. The alternative being offered is not an independent special prosecutor, but rather a more politically palatable counter-proposal for creating a bi-partisan commission. This is a very problematic approach (as I have pointed out) for various reasons, including the possibility of immunity offers and a sidelining of actual prosecutions. Michael Ratner from the Center for Constitutional Rights has also advocated against this, saying this week it will lead to a “whitewash:”

<snip>

There are some powerful Democrats who certainly would not want an independent public investigation, particularly those who served on the House and Senate Intelligence Committees when Bush was in power and torture was being ordered and authorized. That’s because in the aftermath of 9/11, some in Congress were briefed on the torture methods in real time and either were silent or, in some cases, supported these brutal tactics or, as some have suggested, possibly encouraged them to be expanded.

<snip>

http://rebelreports.com/post/99536019/are-leading-democrats-afraid-of-a-special-prosecutor-to

[ShortnFiery]

1. Nancy Pelosi is shameless. "They told us that these techniques were available but ...

not that they would ACTUALLY use it. I said that I wanted to be told If or When they would use these techniques." :eyes:

Nancy, you ignorant *#$^& ! Did you learn nothing form Dubya's demand that you give him "authorization" to invade Iraq? :thumbsdown:

No, I don't think that legislators who were cordoned in these dark, secure rooms and then told not to reveal a word, NOR were counseled to give their opinion or approval should be prosecuted. HOWEVER, at least "Be Woman/Man enough to admit that you were briefed but censored not to speak out due to National Security."

I'm sick of both of our IMO, pseudo-democratic leadership in Congress.

[emulatorloo]

7. I wouldn't believe BOEHNER if his tongue came notarized

The guy is a liar. Plain and Simple.

[T Wolf]

2. Recognize that MOST Democratic politicians, especially at the federal level, are NOT THERE

to represent us, the voters.

They are in the positions of power in order to maintain order for their corporate owners.

They bought into the war and all the crimes that accompanied that policy and do not want to be held accountable for that.

Any difference between them and the pukes is only a matter of openness and honesty in supporting the agenda of those who actually rule our lives. Sure, they throw us a little bone on lesser issues. But when it comes to the big ones (war, the predatory capitalist economy, health care, justice), they are almost as guilty as the thugs.

[ShortnFiery]

3. Then, IMO, it's time to organize unions, take over the democratic party with progressives ...

and, in general, CLEAN HOUSE. :evilgrin:

[kentuck]

4. It is definitely a hindrance to getting to the truth...

No one should be protected property on this issue.

[Orwellian_Ghost]

5. Completely agree

It's more than a litmus test.

[TBF]

11. This country needs to hear the truth, and if it opens up a can of worms about 9/11

so be it. I think that's what they're really hiding.

[BeFree]

6. Problem

A special prosecutor and its grand jury would keep all the facts secret, same as a closed senate investigation would. Remember Plame and how we were shut out?

Methinks that charging two or three officials in an open court, along with unnamed co-conspirators, would be the best way to go about getting the facts out. An open court with cameras and reporters in the audience.

[emulatorloo]

8. Thank you -- I want this info out in the public, not behind closed doors for 4 or 5 years EOM

[blindpig]

9. K&R

What a sweet deal, by getting the Dems implicated from the gitgo bush &co knew they'd have to cover for them. And you can't tell me that those Dems didn't know how they were setting themselves up, they ain't that dumb. Don't see how a whitewash can be avoided.

[maryf]

10. K&R nt.

[defendandprotect]

12. Well, Speaker Nancy Pelosi says Repugs LIED . . . and Rep. David Obey says ... GOP lied to him---!!!

dum de dum dum . . . we'll see -- !!!

It's Cheney who looks worried -- !!!

[TBF]

13. Cheney should be worried. It's not like GWB won't sell him down the river in a heartbeat. n/t