by Matthew Hay Brown
The congressional interest in the CIA destruction of interrogation tapes turns out to be bipartisan.
Senior Republican lawmakers, many of whom have complained about the number and scope of investigations launched this year by Democrats, are joining their rivals in calling for answers about the videotapes, at least one of which is thought to show the waterboarding of senior al Qaida operative Abu Zubaydah.
“I think that we need to get to the bottom of why the tapes were made, why they were destroyed, under what authority they were made and under what authority they were destroyed,” House Minority Leader John A. Boehner said this morning.
“Frankly, the president didn’t know and the Congress didn’t know about the existence of the tapes, nor the fact that they were destroyed,” the Ohio Republican told reporters. “That is troubling, and I’m glad that we’re investigating this.”
The Justice Department and CIA said over the weekend that they would look into the 2005 decision to destroy the tapes made three years earlier. But Congress is planning probes of its own.
CIA Director Michael Hayden, who took over the agency in 2006, has been called before the Senate and House intelligence committees today and tomorrow for closed-door sessions to answer questions.
Democratic Senate Juciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy and ranking Republican Arlen Specter, meanwhile, have written Attorney General Michael Mukasey to ask how much the Justice Department knew about the tapes and their destruction.
Republican Rep. Peter Hoekstra, the former chairman and now ranking member of the House intelligence committee, joined current Chairman Silvestre Reyes in announcing a “complete, thorough and bipartisan” investigation.
“Director Hayden’s note to the workforce on December 6, 2007, implied that our committee had been properly notified about the destruction of certain videos in 2005,” Reyes and Hoekstra said in a joint statement. “Based on our review of the record, this does not appear to be true.”
They said their probe would “review issues surrounding the destruction of videos, the CIA’s failure to notify Congress of this important matter, and related questions concerning the CIA’s interrogation program.”
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Comments
Good. Now let's see if they actually do anything beyond talk.
Posted by: Cheryl | December 11, 2007 12:45 PM
What is interesting and barely, if even covered, covered by the Biased LIBune reporters is that Pelosi, Harmon, Dashcle, Rockefeller, Gephardt ALL knew and APPROVED of the interrogation techniques being done. Why Chicago Tribune are you not reporting that? Why is the Chicago Tribune not reporting that the Democratic leaders informed of the interrogation techniques were ENTHUSIASTICALLY in FAVOR of it in 2002-2003?
Posted by: John D | December 11, 2007 12:50 PM
Good. Now let's see if they actually do anything beyond talk.
Posted by: Cheryl | December 11, 2007 12:45 PM
The Republic Party minions will be wondering if there's any way they can out the CIA guy who leaked this waterboarding info like they did with Valerie Plame.
Posted by: John E | December 11, 2007 1:35 PM
"SURPRISE SURPRISE SURPRISE"
GEE SEARGE, SURPRISE SURPRISE SURPRISE.
I'M NOT, THEY TORE UP THE CONSTITUTION IN 2001. THEY ATTESTTED TO LYING TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE RELATING TO WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION. THEY HAVE NO ACCOUNTABILITY TOWARDS THE BILLIONS OF LOST DOLLARS BLATANTLY IN IRAQ. THEY HAVE OFFERED NOTHING BUT EMERGENCY, EMERGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL BILLS THAT OUTWEIGH THE AMERICAN ECONOMY. THEY HAVE ALLOWED THE CIA, FBI, BE COMPROMISED VIA SEX, MONEY, ALCOHOL, AND DOWNRIGHT CORRUPTION. THEY DIDN'T CONDON THE BEHAVIOR OF THE JUSTICE DEPARMENT, BECAUSE IT SERVED A PURPOSE FOR THEM ALL IN RESPECT TO CAGING OF THE BLACK VOTE IN AMERICA. WHICH BY THE WAY IS STILL BEING HELD HOSTAGE BY THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT AND SOME REGENTS UNIVERSITY GRAD NAMED MONICA OR SARA! THEY'VE ALLOWED STAFFERS AVOID CONGRESSIONAL SUBPOENAS WITHOUT ANY EHICS SANCTIONS OR INHERIENT CONTEMPT AGAINST THEM DIRECTLY.
THE GOP HAS DONE NOTHING BUT FILLIBUSTER, AFTER FILLIBUSTER PUSHING AMERICA IN THE DARKEN DOORS OF DICK CHENEYS "NON-EXECUTIVE BRACH" OF THIS GOVERNEMENT AS WE KNOW IT.
SO OF COURSE THE SUPPORT TAPE DESTRUCTION. THEY EVEN SUPPORT DESTRUCTION OF THE PRESIDENTIAL RECORDS ACT. NO ACCOUNTABILITY WHAT SO EVER. JUST MO MONEY MO MONEY, MO POPPY, MO POPPY ALL BECAUSE THEY HEAR THE VOICES.
MISSION ACCOMPLISH AMERICA, MISSION ACCOMPLISH.
THE BLUNT, AND THE BOEHNER.
A MOVIE COMING TO YOU SOON!
Posted by: Roger Morris | December 11, 2007 1:43 PM
Here's the link that John D mentioned.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/08/AR2007120801664.html?hpid=topnews
Posted by: Terry | December 11, 2007 1:50 PM
Looks like John D receive his talking points in his inbox.
Posted by: jethro | December 11, 2007 2:29 PM
Looks like John D receive his talking points in his inbox.
Posted by: jethro | December 11, 2007 2:29 PM
jethro,
Yeah, isn't it amazing how the GOPer lemmings (TrickleDown Boy, Johnny D'pantsed) find a way to twist every crooked thing that this REPUBLICAN ADMINISTRATION does into somehow being the Democrats fault?
Posted by: John E | December 11, 2007 2:43 PM
"Looks like John D receive his talking points in his inbox."
Yeah, where's RNC Bruce? He's usually 1st in that dept.
Posted by: weinerdog43 | December 11, 2007 2:45 PM
John D.
Ever wonder why it is illegal for anyone who is on these committees to say anything outside of the committees, yet we now have a "government source" being quoted as what did and did not happen in these meetings? Isn't that breaking the law? So what were the Congress members in these meeting supposed to do?
More to the point, whatever happened is still immaterial. The actions described are illegal. Period.
Now that it's out, we take action.
Posted by: dogjudge | December 11, 2007 3:18 PM
Hey look, the guy who was on the tape that was destroyed to protect his identity has granted an interview. I guess he disagrees with the reason that tape was destroyed. Also, he's decided water boarding is torture.
http://www.tpmmuckraker.com/archives/004870.php
Posted by: Cheryl | December 11, 2007 3:47 PM
John D and Terry are a great illustration of the Republican mindset.
They think that showing that a Democratic politician "approved" and action wiill cause Democrats to decided that the action is just. They simply cannot concieve that one can disagree with the leaders of their political party. No matter what their leaders approves, they will approve it as well. They cannot think for themselves, and assume that no one else can.
Torture is in every single case wrong. If any Democratic politician supports ANY use of torture, they are wrong. I have no problem saying that.
Posted by: AJF | December 11, 2007 3:52 PM
Well said AJF. Just because someone in the Democratic party did something does not mean that all democrats automatically agree. Why, I can think of a few well known democratic senators who have cast a vote that democrats disapprove of. Some have even admitted they made a mistake, a very admirable trait.
Posted by: Ed Goldstein | December 11, 2007 5:34 PM
Instead of addressing why this administration condones torture, John D. and his minnions try to explain it away by saying the Dems were ok with it. If any Democrat is found to have been "...ENTHUSIASTICALLY in FAVOR..." of torture, they should be impeached as well. Considering the source (John D.), I doubt it. Another impeachable offense that our AWOL fighter pilot and his equally AWOL grad student V.P. are guilty of.
Posted by: Rick/Sneads Ferry, NC | December 11, 2007 6:09 PM
The Pelosi quote shows her hypocracy on the issue. She was for it in 2002 and is now one of the biggest critics - political expedency.
It's also used in the United States Navy SERE Training.
Posted by: Terry | December 11, 2007 6:42 PM
What is interesting and barely, if even covered, covered by the Biased LIBune reporters is that Pelosi, Harmon, Dashcle, Rockefeller, Gephardt ALL knew and APPROVED of the interrogation techniques being done. Why Chicago Tribune are you not reporting that? Why is the Chicago Tribune not reporting that the Democratic leaders informed of the interrogation techniques were ENTHUSIASTICALLY in FAVOR of it in 2002-2003?
___________________________
Ummm.. little minded juanniee d, the Conservabune mentioned exactly that this morning in the "paper" in an editorial. But perhaps you don't actually read the printed word. It might require independent critical thinking. Never the less, all the D's wimped out on that, I agree. They should have called for bu$h's impeachment instead. But how do you feel about Boehner asking for an inquiry too?
Posted by: rncbs | December 11, 2007 7:08 PM
Loons, for the choice between saving American lives versus 30 seconds of torture for a terrorist, I'll go with saving the American lives.
But, let's make a deal: Terrorists want to kill Americans. You folks don't want to stop them from killing Americans. Sooooo, how about if we offer a trade to the terrorists? To satisfy their bloodlust, we'll offer them Loony Left Americans in exchange for information? In this scenario, innocent Americans are saved and the terrorists aren't tortured!!! (Another entry for the Loons to save in their John D archives!!)
Posted by: John D | December 11, 2007 8:30 PM
Loons, for the choice between saving American lives versus 30 seconds of torture for a terrorist, I'll go with saving the American lives.
_____________________________
Where does juanniee d's logic go astray? Everywhere, as usual.
Will YOU be sitting there with a stopwatch making sure it's only 30 seconds?
Tell ya what little dyslin, you sign up to serve in IRaq, and I'll attach value to any of your chickenhawk notions. Otherwise, ST#U!
I think that it is a much better idea to offer chickenhawk conservatives in trade for "terrorists" that will gladly give up their lives for the safety of Americans. After all, terrorists are killing Americans every day in Iraq.
Another scathing post destroying juanniee dyslin's faulty logic and showing him to be the chickenhawk he is!
Posted by: rncbs | December 11, 2007 11:00 PM
Posted by: John D | December 11, 2007 8:30 PM
Good for you.
Posted by: Loons | December 12, 2007 12:56 AM
Rncbs, it is the CIA agent who says the waterboarding lasts no longer than 30 to 35 seconds, and that is the long end of it.
You see, Mr. BS, I deal with facts. You may not like the facts, but then facts and Loony Lefties never did have much of a relationship.
Apparently three terrorists were treated to waterboarding, which was knowny by Congressional Democratic leaders, who did not speak up against that practice when notified of it. As I have stated before, I'm not a fan of torture. But I'm also not a fan of watching countless families in sorrow, grieving over the loss of a loved one at the hands of terrists. So, between the two: a little grief for a terrorists or a lot of grief for a loved one's family, I'll go with the innocent victim and that person's family.
Posted by: John D | December 12, 2007 9:20 AM
Little Johnny D,
Do you realize you just expressed out loud a wish to negotiate with terrorists? You learned that from Ronald Reagan didn't you?
It's also used in the United States Navy SERE Training.
Posted by: Terry | December 11, 2007 6:42 PM
Is that what someone told you my chickenhawk friend? You've never served a day in your life so stop puffing up your chest and listen to someone who has first hand experience with torture, John McCain.
Posted by: janet | December 12, 2007 9:42 AM
Janet,
My relatives that served in the Navy told me they went thru waterboarding during their SERS training. Google a nice tool - use it and check for yourself.
Posted by: Terry | December 12, 2007 7:14 PM
Christian Republicans love torture and filming torture. There is something weird with these men who call themselves Christians. What skeletons are they hiding in their closets.
Posted by: hhkeller | December 12, 2007 9:54 PM