Thanks Chuck - Thanks for the A.G. blowback -
A couple of things - The A.G. that Schumer supported is stonewalling Congressional investigations into torture. It isn’t like we didn’t point this out here or here. Geez.
Well - Here is the impact and the twist. First this section from a Washpo article:
The exchange followed a letter earlier in the day from Mukasey that rebuffed congressional demands for details about the joint Justice-CIA inquiry into the tapes’ destruction and rejected calls for the appointment of an independent prosecutor. Mukasey said that providing the information to Congress would make it appear that the department is “subject to political influence.”
“At my confirmation hearing, I testified that I would act independently, resist political pressure and ensure that politics plays no role in cases brought by the Department of Justice,” Mukasey wrote in a letter to Sens. Patrick J. Leahy (D-Vt.) and Arlen Specter (R-Pa.), chairman and ranking minority member of the Judiciary Committee.
In recent weeks, lawmakers, primarily Democrats, have showered the Justice Department with demands for investigations or information on topics including baseball’s steroids scandal and allegations of rape by a former military contractor employee.
Note to Mukasey - you are supposed to be above the law. Congress is performing its oversight obligation. Granted, a something long forgotten over the past several years, but Congress, immaterial of party, has a right to know. You do not have a right to block investigations.
Note to Schumer - Thanks for all of this. You, above all people, made this happen.
Note to America - This goes directly to protecting the troops. Next time - a serviceman - pilot, troop or Marine - is captured and some propaganda film is released showing torture or torture is alleged - remember - it is quite difficult to claim the moral high ground against torturing our people when we are actually having discussions whether or not waterboarding is torture and are engaging in the practice of torture. Oh, there is legal precedent for prosecuting people who practice torture. Now, go back and follow that legal precedent link - you will be amazed.
Blowback is a bit*h.
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Like you, Stlo7, I am not at all surprised by this turn of events. Good analysis. Maybe you should mail it to Schumer (not that he ever responds to anything…)
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