Kerry breaks silence on CIA's lying past

[ProSense]

Kerry breaks silence on CIA's lying past

by beachmom

During the course of the torture debate, I have heard little coming from the Senate Foreign Relations chairman, with the exception of his appearance on video with USA Today on April 21st, where he said he would consider a truth commission modeled after the one in South Africa to bring about accountability. Since then, there has been essentially "radio silence" from him during the tumultuous weeks following the release of the torture memos. Well, I am happy to see he is inserting some truth into this debate about the reality of the CIA's past. Too many bloviating blow hards (I'm talking to you, Joe) have been positively outraged that the Speaker of the House would suggest the CIA could have lied!! Well, it's about time people learn their history going back to the Reagan years.

Huff Po has the story:

The Central Intelligence Agency would never lie to Congress about breaking the law, would it?

Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) knows a little something about that. During the late 1980s, he led a two-and-a-half year investigation into the CIA, the Nicaraguan Contras and cocaine trafficking, and the senator was on the receiving end of CIA deception.

So, would the CIA ever lie?

"In the case of one person who was tried and convicted, they lied. He overtly lied and was prosecuted for it by the government of the United States," said Kerry just off the Senate floor. "He was the director of operations for the region."

Ryan Grim's excellent piece over at the Huffington Post details the oh so wonderful history of how the CIA knew the Contras were involved in drug trafficking; they not only failed to intervene but even stopped the DEA from investigating! The fascinating hearings of John Kerry's investigation in the Senate in 1987/88 entitled "Drugs, Law Enforcement and Foreign Policy" can be read in full on The Memory Hole.

To get an idea of what an explosive story this was, here is a refresher course:

more

On edit: use the link in the original for the refresher course.

[beachmom]

1. I am so glad Kerry spoke up!!

Good for the Huff Po reporter to put it together.

[ProSense]

4. Really good stuff. Thanks. n/t

[politicasista]

2. Kick

:kick: :patriot:

[jillan]

3. John Kerry is a voice of reason and sanity, and he is never afraid to speak truth to power.

[Muttocracy]

5. thank you President Kerry

oops ;)

[YvonneCa]

13. He is SUCH a good President...

...isn't he? :7 Heck, if Jimmy Carter can slip and call him that, I think it must be okay.. ;)

[90-percent]

6. wikipedia

the link leads to oblivion. are you saying that the subject gets censored on wiki or something?

thanks

-90% Jimmy

[ProSense]

7. Not sure why it isn't working. Use the link in the original post. That still works. n/t

[MasonJar]

8. John Kerry is one of the most outstandng Americans, and his wife is

just as fabulous as he.

[L. Coyote]

9. They killed Americans too. Worse than lying!!

I was in Central America, writing about illegal aid to the Contras.
I was stabbed nine times, and nearly killed.

Lying isn't even the tip of the iceberg!! People wouldn't believe the reality.

[Waiting For Everyman]

10. Deception is the CIA's business - it's what they do.

Anybody who thinks they're truthful about anything is very naive.

[vaberella]

11. People kept going after Pelosi...huh!! The truth has come out. Take that shit Turley. n/t

[chill_wind]

12. Take it to them Senator Kerry. K & R.

:kick:

[ObamaKerryDem]

14. GO KERRY!! :D k&r