Americans by and large know that if they break, or even bend, the law there is a price to pay. Well, unless you are a corporate CEO or part of the Executive Branch of government. THAT is the message being sent by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid -- who should know better. Unlike our president, Reid has been around awhile.It's understandable that President Obama wants to remain focused on fixing the mess left behind by the Bush administration, but Reid should support Speaker Pelosi's call for an investigation on torture.
Senate Democratic leaders, joining forces with the Obama White House, said they would resist efforts by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other prominent Democrats to create a special commission to investigate the harsh interrogation methods that the Bush administration approved for terrorism suspects.Hummm ... let's think about this.
At a meeting of top Democrats at the White House Wednesday night, President Obama told Congressional leaders that he did not want a special inquiry, which he said would potentially steal time and energy from his ambitious policy priorities, and could mushroom into a wider distraction by looking back at other aspects of the Bush years.
The Senate majority leader, Harry Reid of Nevada, and other top Senate Democrats endorsed Mr. Obama’s view on Thursday, telling reporters that they preferred to wait for the results of an investigation by the Senate intelligence committee expected sometime “late this year.” But Ms. Pelosi renewed her call for an independent panel.
Mr. Reid, who repeatedly denounced the use of harsh interrogation techniques when Mr. Bush was president, suggested that naming a special panel would signal an intent to exact “retribution” and he sought to paper over the disagreement with members of his own caucus, like Senator Patrick J. Leahy of Vermont, who want a commission.
ret·ri·bu·tion (rět'rə-byōō'shən) n.Seems appropriate for the actions of the previous administration.
Something justly deserved; recompense.
Something given or demanded in repayment, especially punishment.
And what about our Constitution? Is it just a piece of paper, or is there meaning behind the words written? George Bush & Co. didn't seem to think it meant much -- but many of us do.
So come on Reid, it's time to get on board with what the American people want.
MUST READS:
Is Cheney Winning the Torture Debate?
By Eric Etheridge
Abu Zubaydah’s FBI Interrogator Removes the Legal Cornerstone of the Torture Regime
By emptywheel
Flashback: Bush’s FBI Director Said Torture Didn’t Foil Any Terror Plots
By Greg Sargent
6 comments:
It's sickening that we've sunk so low. What's the point of saving some individual Americans if we're willing to trade who we are for some false send of security?
Anonymous -- I have serious concern for you and your mental health. I would encourage you to do two things quickly. 1) seek professional help. 2) launch your own blog, so you will have an outlet for your rage.
You have singled out Oprah, Ellen and Dr. Phi as the primary cause for our economic problems. The wealth of these three combined is mere pocket change to the people who are ACTUALLY responsible for the mess we are facing.
Before naming these three, I suggest you begin by pointing your finger of blame at CEO's of the banking industry and Wall Street. And then at the decades of conservative rule in Washington that allowed these folks to steal us blind.
I actually have to laugh at the thought that Oprah, Ellen or Dr. Phil would have the power to pull this off!
Oh, and one last thing ... if you want me to take you seriously you are going to have to post under a name other than "anonymous" ...
BAC
What in God's name would lead you to believe that I blame this global economic crisis primarily on three individuals? Read it again. I have "singled out" the richest one percent worldwide. There are two issues I focus on. The obscene concentration of wealth and the incredible hypocrisy of those who concentrate it. Read it again.
Let's see ... could THIS be the reason?
1) that filthy pig Oprah Winfrey
2) ENDORSED for years by Oprah Winfrey, Ellen DeGeneres, and Dr Phil
3) ENDORSED by OPRAH WINFREY, ELLEN DEGENERES, AND DR PHIL.
4) ENDORSED BY OPRAH WINFREY, ELLEN DEGENERES, AND DR PHIL
5) Oprah,
6) (Oprah Winfrey, Ellen Degeneres, and Dr Phil.).
7) Oprah Winfrey, Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, Ellen Degeneres, Dr Phil,
8) The same goes for Ellen Degeneres, Dr Phil,
9) Ellen DeGeneres, Dr Phil, Oprah Winfrey,
All pulled directly from your rant.
Seriously, I think you need help.
BAC
Thats very impressive work. Now, count the references made to the rich.
Not until you provide proof that you've sought professional help.
BAC
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