The Political Chase

War Crimes

Strong, provocative title, I know. Regrettably, it is appropriate and applicable.

DOJ Opens Criminal Investigation Over CIA Tapes

From AP:
Attorney General Michael Mukasey appointed an outside prosecutor Wednesday to lead a criminal investigation into the destruction of CIA interrogation videotapes.
The CIA acknowledged last month that it destroyed videos of officers using tough interrogation methods while questioning two al-Qaida suspects. The acknowledgment sparked a congressional inquiry and a preliminary investigation by Justice.
”The [...]

The CIA’s Cover-Up

If the CIA has not been conducting a cover-up of its interrogation techniques, then I don’t know what a cover-up is.
Citing a seven-page memorandum from the former executive director of the 9/11 Commission, the New York Times reports the commission made” formal requests to the C.I.A. that sought ‘documents,’ ‘reports’ and ‘information’ related to [...]

CIA probe today may merit an Emmy

Who may show up (or not) at the House Judiciary Committee hearing* today on the interrogation of detainees and the CIA’s destruction of related videotapes may turn out to be as interesting as any testimony that may be given. Committee Chairman Conyers sent letters on December 7th requesting information from [...]

White House Rebukes NYT Report

White House Press Secretary Dana Perino issued a statement strongly rebuking the New York Times’ report of substantial involvement by the White House in the destruction of CIA interrogation tapes. In her statement, Perino described the piece as “”pernicious and troubling” and demanded the Times issue a correction.
The New York Times today implies that [...]

How dare the NYT accuse the WH of impropriety

Not the Bush White House!

At least four top White House lawyers took part in discussions with the Central Intelligence Agency between 2003 and 2005 about whether to destroy videotapes showing the secret interrogations of two operatives from Al Qaeda, according to current and former administration and intelligence officials.
The accounts indicate that the involvement of [...]

Will George Bush ever find the cherry tree?

Should we draw some type of scientific conclusion(s) about ABC’s journalists and George Bush’s propensity to think they’re a bunch of idiots? Sorry W., but Gibson and Raddatz are not idiots.
Just before Thanksgiving Bush told Charlie Gibson his "three George Washington books" story again. I’ve heard that story over the past couple of years [...]

Who’s doing what to whom in the CIA tape case

Jose A. Rodriguez Jr.

Information about the CIA’s destroying interrogation videotapes continue to drip at a slow pace, albeit fortunate that it comes at all. The New York Times releases an article today that amounts to an exposé of he-said-he-said-maybe-she-said debates between high-ranking officials in the White House (mostly lawyers [...]

Mukasey’s irresponsible handling of CIA evidence

When the story broke yesterday on destroying the CIA interrogation videotapes, why did Attorney General Michael Mukasey not issue an immediate preservation order, mandating that all federal government employees not destroy any evidence?
The administration has had two full days and now the entire weekend to rip, tear, and destroy to their heart’s content.
Update: The [...]

President of the U.S. or Sgt. Schultz?

It is becoming increasingly clear that Sgt. Schultz of Hogan’s Heroes fame occupies the Oval Office rather than an informed, knowledgeable, and in-command president. As you may recall, Sgt. Schultz became famous for frequently stating, “I hear nothing, I see nothing, I know nothing!” George Bush is rapidly adopting the bumbling sergeant’s mantra.
In today’s White [...]

Where Have Harman and Rockefeller been?

(Update below)
The Times revealed yesterday the CIA possessed and destroyed videotapes documenting their illegal torture of detainees and all of sudden Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) is “really sick of this” and Rep. Jane Harman (D-CA) demands “this matter must be promptly and fully investigated.” Why didn’t these Highly Ethical Democratic Leaders get sick and [...]

Destroyed CIA tapes fit Bush patterns

The New York Times’ revelation yesterday that the CIA in 2005 destroyed videotapes documenting interrogations of Al Qaeda operatives conducted in 2002 has far-reaching implications that span the Bush administration — obstruction of justice, war crimes, and if even possible, further deterioation of the country’s standing in the international community. And as expected, [...]

WH: We don’t want clarification of Geneva Conventions

In today’s White House press briefing, Dana Perino made it abundantly clear the administration’s interpretation and definition of torture is the sole authority, and the White House wants no input from the international community.
Perino wrongly stated all parties to the Geneva Conventions were supposed to apply their interpretations of the Conventions. When challenged that interpretation [...]

No More Water-Boarding

The CIA has banned water-boarding as an interrogation technique according to the Blotter. “Hayden made the decision at the recommendation of his deputy, Steve Kappes, and received approval from the White House to remove water-boarding from the list of approved interrogation techniques first authorized by a presidential finding in 2002.”
Until it gets leaked to [...]

The Scathing IG Report on Tenet

Does the Medal of Freedom tarnish over time? If they parallel the reputations of their recipients, then George Tenet’s medal turned black today. The CIA’s Inspector General released a less than pleasant report on Tenet’s management of terrorist threats during his tenure as Director of the CIA.
The NYT and the Washington Post wasted no time [...]