Call Cheney's bluff . . . release EVERYTHING

[bigtree]

from John Nichols at The Nation: http://www.thenation.com/blogs/state_of_change/429388/cheney_s_right_release_everything

{snip}

Yes, yes, let's get it all out.

Let's release all the memorandums, all the electronic files, all the loose papers relating to the plotting and implementation of the wide-ranging torture regimen that Cheney and President Bush appear to have implemented.

And let's keep going.

Let's release all the materials that Cheney, as the primary proponent of secrecy during the Bush years, fought to withhold.

Where to begin? Why not at the beginning: with all the documents relating to the energy task force that Cheney headed at the start of the Bush-Cheney interregnum. When Cheney fought to keep those materials secret, Paul Krugman wrote: "What Mr. Cheney is defending, in other words, is a doctrine that makes the United States a sort of elected dictatorship: a system in which the president, once in office, can do whatever he likes, and isn't obliged to consult or inform either Congress or the public."

Now that the former vice president is preaching the gospel of transparency, let's make the rhetoric real and get the full story of Cheney's imperial vice presidency -- and its lawless excesses -- out of the lockbox and into the sunshine where it can be examined by a free press, the American people and their Congress.

read more: http://www.thenation.com/blogs/state_of_change/429388/cheney_s_right_release_everything

[barbtries]

1. i think it's an excellent idea

and suspect that just the threat of it might even persuade him to STFU

[katty]

2. yep, go for it, eveybody in the pool!

[bamacrat]

3. I agree, especially the lying us into a war in Iraq thing.

There has to be great memos about that. Also if many memos were destroyed, doesnt that violate some guidline of documentation or atleast imply guilt.

[aquart]

4. Yes. Just for fun.

And in the small, tiny, hope that the shock will short out his pacemaker.

[AndyA]

5. If Obama asked me what needed attention, that super secret Energy Policy from Bushco

would be #1 on my list. I believe therein lies the truth to much of what happened during the Bush Depression years.

[Johonny]

6. I'm not sure it's a good idea

Cheney wants Obama to release the actual classified intelligence that was received during interrogation of prisoners. This doesn't sound like a good idea if there is actual good intelligence or has names of actual intelligence agents. Willy nilly releasing of classified information for political reasons was the dumb stuff the Bush administration was known for.

[dalaigh lllama]

8. They can black out the names of agents if needed

I'd like to see one example of the valuable info they got that they couldn't have gotten without torture -- I don't think it exists.

[Johonny]

12. I don't see the point

If the actual data existed proving Cheney right he would have released it while in office. There have been any number of experts and reports that state these methods don't work. On the other side you have basically Cheney who's never been right about anything. The releasing of information obtained by our interrogators is in general a bad idea and any such information would have to be so redacted it would probably be of no use. Obama could go over a review of interrogation methods to review what information came from what methods to best determine possible future methods, but I doubt that information would lead to no new interesting conclusions. Which is torture doesn't work as a useful information gathering tool.

[dalaigh lllama]

16. I completely agree -- if proof was out ther, Cheney would have released it

These vague "Oh my yes --we got all sorts of useful info" statements just don't cut it for me.

[ejpoeta]

7. i concur. you want the memos released. let's release the memos there

dick!

[quaker bill]

9. If not everything,

then at least keep declassifying and releasing until they cry uncle and go home to Texas, or prison, or Paraguay, or wherever... Press on and harder.

[cascadiance]

10. Though he probably knows he burned most of the 'good stuff'...

Why else was his back out during inauguration!??? :)

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

11. Yes, Cheney himself says more should be released

To be fair to everyone, people should not be allowed to cherry pick, whether it's Bush/Cheney or the ACLU or the Obama Justice Department.

material that is sensitive will be redacted. We already know that. But this has been going on so long, much of it could be considered "historical documentation".

This is the only solution that's fair to everyone. And that's what we want, right?

[malaise]

13. Let that dick see transparency at work

then lock him up.

[ColbertWatcher]

14. I agree. The GOP have convinced themselves that Obama cannot handle so many crisises ...

... at one time.

He has proven himself to be an effective manager. I just hope Congress can keep up.

I fear the GOP-controlled media won't.

[grantcart]

15. excellent idea

[AZ Criminal JD]

17. Agreed. Release. What are they trying to hide?

[WyoHiker]

18. Sorry. That can't work.

They can always claim (lie) that there is something else -- something more, something that explains, excuses, or justifies.

All the same, I would like to see it all out.

[Psychic Consortium]

19. Sociopaths often come unglued when facing consequences

for their illegalities. Keep the pressure up on Cheney.
He is unraveling in front of our eyes.