Durbin, Feingold, Kennedy Demand Bush Withdraw Nominee For DOJ Office Of Legal Counsel
Durbin, Feingold, Kennedy Demand Bush Withdraw Nominee For DOJ Office Of Legal Counsel
In September, the White House has declared that its “next priority this fall” is to obtain Senate approval for Steven Bradbury, “the man who is advising President Bush on the extent of his terrorism-fighting powers.” In 2005, Bradbury replaced Jack Goldsmith as head of the Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) and has since been interim OLC chief.
Today, Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) expressed reservations about Bradbury. “What we know is troubling. Mr. Bradbury refuses to repudiate un-American and inhumane tactics such as waterboarding and mock executions. … There are also serious and unanswered questions about Mr. Bradbury’s role in NSA warrantless surveillance programs.”
Durbin announced that he, Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI), and Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-MA), have written a letter to President Bush calling on him to find a more independent nominee:
I think we need new leadership at the Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel. Today, joined by Sens. Ted Kennedy and Russ Feingold, I’m sending a letter to President Bush calling on him to withdraw the nomination of Steven Bradbury … and to submit another nomination. … OLC is a small office, but it really has a lot of power, especially in this administration.
Watch it:
A lengthy New York Times expose this month revealed that in 2005, Bradbury signed off on a secret DoJ torture memo that endorsed “the harshest interrogation techniques ever used by the CIA.” Bradbury also approved an executive order approving “enhanced” interrogation techniques.
The White House “relies on OLC for legal approval of surveillance programs, detainee treatment” and a host of classified issues; subsequently, Bradbury has been on the forefront of these efforts, allowing himself to become a politicized tool of Dick Cheney’s office. Such politicization appears to have occurred, “with Cheney’s blessing, to ensure that the department didn’t balk, as Goldsmith and his allies did, over torture or surveillance or indefinite detentions.”
In July 2006, Bradbury testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee and proclaimed that “the president is always right.”
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69 Responses to “Durbin, Feingold, Kennedy Demand Bush Withdraw Nominee For DOJ Office Of Legal Counsel”
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Will bush EVER nominate someone for a post in the Executive branch who is not either corrupt, incompetent or a right wing lackey?
October 16th, 2007 at 9:05 pm(no need to answer, it’s an obvious NO).
“the president is always right.â€
This statement automatically disqualifies him from consideration for the job.
Will Reid and Pelosi refuse him a confirmation vote?
Dream on.
October 16th, 2007 at 9:11 pmI guess on reflection I meant just Reid, as Pelosi has nothing to do with confirmations.
October 16th, 2007 at 9:12 pmIn July 2006, Bradbury testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee and proclaimed that “the president is always right.â€
***Exactly who you want in the position,someone with no critical thinking ability.Just a “good ole american” folks.
October 16th, 2007 at 9:12 pmIs it January, 2009 yet?
October 16th, 2007 at 9:13 pmYeah, nominate an incompetent like you usually do Bush, not a friggin fascist.
October 16th, 2007 at 9:17 pmLetters from Senators to the President have worked so well in the past, this will surely go as far.
October 16th, 2007 at 9:18 pmLetters from Senators to the President have worked so well in the past, this will surely go as far.
Comment by Bob — October 16, 2007 @ 9:18 pm
They obviously haven’t gotten the White House memo that states it must be written in crayon or will not be read by the retarded braying jackass in the Oval Office……………
October 16th, 2007 at 9:25 pmMake sure you watch the video from Frontline/PBS online called “Cheney’s Law. It will give you necessary background on why Feingold sees problems with Bradbury coming out of OLC.
I’m telling you all that the “Good German” syndrome is being repeated right in front of our eyes.
Those who plan to substitute fear for hope and civil liberties for security are well funded,well entrenched and mean business.
People should be rising in the streets. Why aren’t they? This is no longer America.
October 16th, 2007 at 9:27 pmMock executions … ?
Eh? WTF. Geneva Convention. “Mock executions” !!!
October 16th, 2007 at 9:55 pmI think they’re just acting like tough guys right before they approve Mukasey and provide telecommunication companies with retroactive immunity. As if Bush will honor that request.
October 16th, 2007 at 9:56 pmI can assure you that if some one is threatening to execute you. . .
it ain’t “mock.”
Scare the bejesus out of you . . . you wet your pants . . . you are no longer in play time.
You are in a friggin facist state run amok by an idiot.
October 16th, 2007 at 9:59 pm…reservations about Bradbury…
boy, i’ll say… if they saw and heard what i just did,
there would be no questions…
CHENEY’S LAW… FRONTLINE… PBS…
October 16th, 2007 at 10:00 pmlook it up and watch it…
…
The Frontline was excellent. Bradbury would have made a “good German.” When I watch those Hitler-era documentaries, I always marvel that there were actually people who conceived of, designed and implemented the camps. That’s Bradbury - a guy who thinks of better ways to torture. I don’t care who you are (trolls), someone with that inhuman mindset is simply sick and we have to get rid of these kinds of people in our government.
October 16th, 2007 at 10:02 pmamen, katy.
October 16th, 2007 at 10:03 pmYeah,
Save their souls from Suddam. Who could possibly be worse.
Try the lunatic, wannabe cowboy who wants “mock executions” . . .
God (not dubya’s God), but somebody help us!
We are a nation . . . a nation of thinking citizens and publicly elected officials . . . STOP this craziness.
“mock executions” . . . my ass.
October 16th, 2007 at 10:07 pmMOCK EXECUTIONS!!!
I just can’t get over it.
America is the country in which I was born, the greatest country on earth, the country that has defended human rights for generations, a country that abolished slavery, but did not punish the South (although General Sherman did his own little bit of genocide), a country that landed on the beaches in Normandy and Omah, a country with a conscience. Even LBJ suffered an enormous crises of conscience over Viet Nam . . .we got nothin’ now. Dubya could give a damn. He didn’t serve, he doesn’t care. He advocates a policy that involves “mock executions.”
Barf me a hair ball.
October 16th, 2007 at 10:18 pmi still don’t understand how cheney figures all those powers
for the president… i mean, the CONSTITUTION spells it out…
rather simply and definitively…
i get the WHY… just don’t get the HOW DOES HE FIGURE?
and he came into the office with that objective…
these guys are criminals… just that simple…
October 16th, 2007 at 10:28 pm.
candyce, sometimes i wish i were numb…
October 16th, 2007 at 10:29 pm…
Cheney is a guy with at least three DUI’s, three to five deferrments from Viet Nam, who shot a guy in the face after drinking a few beers at a time that he did not have a hunting or a gun license.
You or me would be in the pen.
Get a clue.
October 16th, 2007 at 10:33 pm“MOCK EXECUTIONS!!!
I just can’t get over it.”
And then there’s this:
Marine suing producer of training film
Wounds in simulated capture ended lance corporal’s career
By Debbi Farr Baker
UNION-TRIBUNE BREAKING NEWS TEAM
October 15, 2007
Marine Lance Cpl. Jesse Klingler was gagged and blindfolded with his hands and legs tied behind him when an actor playing the role of an enemy combatant pressed an AK-47 loaded with blanks against his right thigh and fired.
The rifle sent a fireball of gases into Klingler’s leg, leaving him with a bloody wound that ended his military career.
Jesse Klingler received a medical discharge from the Marine Corps as the result of wounds he suffered in the production of a training video.
Klingler, then 18, was preparing to deploy to Afghanistan in 2004 when he was tapped to take part in a simulated capture and interrogation during training at Miramar Marine Corps Air Station. The incident was detailed in the report from the Marine Corps’ investigation.
The actor, employed by Strategic Operations Inc., repeatedly punched and kicked Klingler, who was lying on his back, and demanded that he answer questions, the report said. At one point in the mock interrogation, the man pressed an unloaded gun against Klingler’s groin and pulled the trigger.
Strategic Operations Inc. is a military contractor that conducts training exercises designed to realistically simulate the environments troops will find in war.
The next thing Klingler remembers was hearing the man yelling for someone to get his magazine, the sound of an AK-47 assault rifle being loaded and the crack of a gunshot as the gun’s barrel pushed hard against his leg.
“There was a bang, my leg felt numb, then I felt extravagant pain,†Klingler, of Lebanon, Tenn., said in an interview.
He rolled to his side to get away, but the actor put his foot in the middle of Klingler’s back and fired again, hitting him in the other leg.
Klingler then turned over onto his stomach. Just as he felt the hot muzzle of the gun being pressed against the base of his neck, Marine instructors intervened and stopped the exercise.
The internal investigation conducted by the Marine Corps after the incident on Sept. 18, 2004, described the training scenario as a poorly supervised, “opportunistic, un-briefed event.â€
The report went on to say that “quick action of the instructors prevented the incident from becoming deadly by removing the weapon from the actor and tending to the Marine.â€
Klingler is suing San Diego-based Strategic Operations Inc. and Stu Segall Productions Inc., both owned by the television and movie producer, over the injuries he suffered in the exercise. The trial is expected to get under way today in Superior Court.
The suit also names Rocky Mohsen, who was working as a role player for Strategic Operations. Mohsen, 46, who is also known as Ali Mohammad Mohsen, is Lebanese immigrant who speaks fluent Arabic. He was fired immediately after the incident, the Marines’ report said. All the parties in the case agree that Mohsen fired the gun into Klingler’s thigh at point-blank range. What they do not agree upon is who is at fault.
According to the Marines’ report, Mohsen had told his employers that he had served in the Lebanese army and was a sharpshooter experienced in handling automatic weapons.
Mohsen did not tell them that he is a felon with at least two drug convictions and two restraining orders sought against him by women who said he was harassing and threatening them, said Klingler’s lawyer, Robert Gaglione.
Neither the Marines nor the attorney representing Mohsen returned calls to discuss the case.
Mike Neil, a retired Marine brigadier general who is representing the Stu Segall companies, said the Marine Corps was at fault because it had full control of the situation. Neil describes the shooting as “an unfortunate accident,†and points to the Marines’ findings that the accident could have been prevented if the training had been supervised properly.
The Marines’ report stated “the level of coordination required in planning the next scheduled scenario did not allow supervisors to properly oversee the unscheduled Klingler exercise.†It also said the incident could have been prevented if one instructor had been assigned to provide “continuous, undistracted supervision.â€
Neil said his client played no role in the incident, and that Mohsen’s prior convictions, of which the company was unaware, “had nothing do with what happened.â€
“This is a Marine Corps matter from beginning to end,†said Neil, a former commanding officer of Camp Pendleton.
Klingler’s attorney says that Stu Segall Productions and Strategic Operations, which produce the training exercises, are to blame because the company hired a convicted felon and allowed him to handle a weapon, which is a violation of state and federal laws.
The company should have conducted a background check on Mohsen before hiring him, Gaglione said.
“This was a failure on the companies’ part, not the military’s,†he said. “They are supposed to train Marines, not injure them.â€
The lawsuit asks for up to $2 million in damages to cover future lost wages, and medical costs and an additional amount for pain and suffering.
Klingler underwent two surgeries for the wound to his right thigh and was treated for a superficial burn to the other thigh. Klingler said he was hospitalized for two weeks, placed on 30 days of convalescent leave and received a medical discharge in September 2005.
He was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and the Department of Veterans Affairs rated him as permanently disabled, Gaglione said.
Neil said the case is simply about money, that Klingler is exaggerating his injuries and that he is going after Stu Segall’s deep pockets because he cannot sue the military.
Neil said Klingler’s shooting was an isolated incident, that the company has an excellent safety record and that all its employees undergo safety lectures.
“Stu Segall is a very patriotic American who goes to great lengths to assist the Marine Corps in preparing realistic scenarios that prepare Marines for the world they are going to face when they go to Iraq,†he said. “Sometimes accidents occur.â€
Klingler, now 21, said that Segall should step up and accept responsibility.
“It saddens me that I would put my life on the line for him and his family and they’re not standing up and doing what’s right,†he said.
October 16th, 2007 at 10:38 pmBarfly,
Unf**ing believable . . . and yet so believable. Tragic.
October 16th, 2007 at 10:44 pmBarfly,
Please give my best to Klingler. For what it’t worth, my prayers are with him.
October 16th, 2007 at 10:46 pmI didn’t know Stu Segall was doing training films before today. He really should step up and do the right thing for this guy.
October 16th, 2007 at 10:47 pmComment by rockyroad —
I just saw it today in the paper, or I’d have sent it to TP.
October 16th, 2007 at 10:48 pmBarfly,
I cannot believe you beat up plunger and then do everything you object to, by posting super long off topic material.
I welcome your inputs but we have room for plunger.
October 16th, 2007 at 10:55 pmBarfly,
Regardless, you perform a public service by bringing the humanity of the war home. . . thw world would be a better place if everyone viewed the human cost of war.
October 16th, 2007 at 10:56 pmBobby Brown,
Crack head. Who is Plunger? No substance seen.
October 16th, 2007 at 11:02 pmI just read where the FOX nuts are accusing Hillary of listening to secret tapes but not allowing the intelligence folks to listen to them.
So, Hillary is now a secret agent that intercepts secret terrorist intelligence from and keeps,…wait for it…..intelligence folks from listening to what they allowed her to listen to.
The logic of FOX Snooze, agitprop infotainment, leaves me dumbfounded.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thats a messed up story barfly, they should have a scenario to prepare marines for the hired idiots working at the scenarios
October 16th, 2007 at 11:02 pm“Barfly,
I cannot believe you beat up plunger and then do everything you object to, by posting super long off topic material.
I welcome your inputs but we have room for plunger.”
Comment by Bobby Brown
OK, let’s unpack that criticism.
Plunger posted SEVEN unrelated posts in succession on that thread, while I posted ONE, that arguably COULD BE CONSIDERED RELATED TO A THREAD THAT DEALS WITH MOCK EXECUTIONS.
And you equate the two?
October 16th, 2007 at 11:06 pmHow about enhanced “hold your public officials accountable” technique?
October 16th, 2007 at 11:06 pmHillary may be the best bet in ith Dem horse race,
but she’s still just a pol to me.
Doesn’t suprise me a bit.
Explain Hill, expain.
Otherwise, Obama is the best horse in the race.
October 16th, 2007 at 11:07 pmThe Republican Presidential Infallibility dogma was thus born…
October 16th, 2007 at 11:07 pmThats a messed up story barfly, they should have a scenario to prepare marines for the hired idiots working at the scenarios
Comment by Xisithrus
You’d think Stu Segall productions would require this “Ali” guy to have demonstrated SOME proficiency and understanding of weapons handling before handing him an AK.
October 16th, 2007 at 11:09 pmWierd Barfly,
Not a single one of Plungers’ posts appears on my website.
I’m thinking that Qwest, under new management, is jacking with me.
But seriously, I do not have a single Plunger posting on the string that I’m looking at.
October 16th, 2007 at 11:10 pmSeriously,
For everyone posting on this site . . . do you see Plunger? I don’t. What’s up with that?
Just answer, yes or no, see Plunger, don’t.
October 16th, 2007 at 11:16 pmComment by barfly — October 16, 2007 @ 11:09 pm
I agree. I have noticed that marines and army during simulations have the barrels of their weapons plugged, a very noticeable red one at that.
October 16th, 2007 at 11:17 pm“But seriously, I do not have a single Plunger posting on the string that I’m looking at.”
Comment by rockyroad
The previous thread?
He’s still there, last I looked.
I usually scan his stuff; but posting seven off-topic spam comments in a row on a thread that’s only thirty long is a bit much, and smells like virtual narcissism…
October 16th, 2007 at 11:18 pmJust answer, yes or no, see Plunger, don’t.
Comment by rockyroad — October 16, 2007 @ 11:16 pm
I saw one of his posts on another thread…it was off topic and TP propably removed it.
October 16th, 2007 at 11:19 pmPlunger . . .
Sounds eerily familiar. . . . sort of like the Watergate plumbing patrol.
Most of you are too young to remember, but Watergate had all to do about plumbers and the downfall of the Nixon administration. . . . Key phrase for the journalists that brought down the adm was: “follow the money”.
If any of you have the courage or the cahoonas . . . .”follow the money.”
October 16th, 2007 at 11:20 pmWell, I’m glad to see Feingold at work here but I doubt it will do much good, considering what else has been ignored by the current admin.
October 16th, 2007 at 11:23 pmComment by Xisithrus — October 16, 2007 @ 11:17 pm
I think the Marines also share the blame, for not having vetted the guy who would be pointing a loaded weapon at a marine…
But remember Jason Lee? How could Stu Segall not know the dangers?
October 16th, 2007 at 11:24 pmThank you Xisithrus, but I’m still not seeing it.
October 16th, 2007 at 11:24 pm“If any of you have the courage or the cahoonas . . . .â€follow the money.—
Comment by rockyroad
Except, that’s inoperable with an outfit that can’t account for seven billion bucks…
How do you “follow the money” into a black hole?
October 16th, 2007 at 11:27 pmBradbury testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee and proclaimed that “the president is always right.â€
If the president does it, that makes it legal?
What about the N O I T U T I T S N O C ?
October 16th, 2007 at 11:31 pm“Don’t forget that 2.3 TRILLION that went missing on 9/10/01.”
Comment by RemoveBush
?
October 16th, 2007 at 11:32 pmWell,
If you wanted to follow the money, you could start with Prince Banzer and his ties to Negropante (sp?). From there, you could go to 2 billion in missing dollars and the Bush Administrations’ Halliburton ties to that money. That shoulsd give you a good start.
October 16th, 2007 at 11:37 pmIn September, the White House has declared that its “next priority this fall†is to obtain Senate approval for Steven Bradbury, “the man who is advising President Bush on the extent of his terrorism-fighting powers.â€
So Bradbury is playing the Robert Culp character, to Bush’s reprise of William Katt’s Greatest American Hero role - who also doesn’t understand “how to work” the presidency? Does Bradbury have the operator’s manual?
October 16th, 2007 at 11:37 pmComment by RemoveBush
Oh. Thanks.
October 16th, 2007 at 11:38 pmTypos all over the place, but when I get started, my fingers are like fire . . .
October 16th, 2007 at 11:39 pmAnd thanks, RR.
October 16th, 2007 at 11:41 pmBarfly,
Granted, you’re talking trillions and I’m talking billions . . . but it started with billions and turned into trillions. The root is the same problem.
Hold your breath Katrina victims, we’ve got soldiers without legs.
Dubya, hold on, we will get to the bottom of your deceit.
October 16th, 2007 at 11:43 pm“Dubya, hold on, we will get to the bottom of your deceit.”
Comment by rockyroad
With Pelosi and Reid calling the shots, color me doubtful.
October 16th, 2007 at 11:46 pmPrince Banzar and Negroponte. excuse my misspellings. Nonetheless, two dudes founded a bank that got disassembled by the SEC, had strong ties to the Bush admiinistration, had strong ties to the US ambassador to the UN, and was found guilty of (not money laundering) but, transportinmoney to a foreign entity without permission.” (Cinderella slap).
These are Bush’s buds and family members. They’re transporting money and technology. Oh yeah, that would be an executive secret.
I live in a slum. Arrest me.
October 16th, 2007 at 11:52 pm#57 Pelosi and Reid have been wooses so far. Don’t give up on the team. I believe . . .
October 17th, 2007 at 12:08 amWaxman’s hot. He believes. He holds the cards and he’s playing them.
October 17th, 2007 at 12:10 amhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmKGfs7BBsc
October 17th, 2007 at 12:43 amsigned off on a secret DoJ torture memo that endorsed “the harshest interrogation techniques ever used by the CIA….more of the same from the Fascist War Criminal GW666.
You just gotta guess that anyone that this Criminal pResident (who stole the election both times) wants has got to be bad for the US and the World.
Buck Fush
October 17th, 2007 at 12:49 amDon’t count on Palosi, she’s known about the wire tapping since these war monger’s got in office in 2000..On John Paines site today….Now what else has she and other Dem’s known and when did they know it..Guess it’s a good thing she hasent done the impeachment’s that would make her president…I sure feel stupid for emailing her over and over to impeach…Maybe we would be better off getting rid of all but one or two and starting over..Time for the revolution.?..Blessings
October 17th, 2007 at 1:58 amMaybe we would be better off getting rid of all but one or two and starting over..Time for the revolution.?..Blessings
Comment by Witch1 — October 17, 2007 @ 1:58 am
I think its time for a total anti-incumbent vote, for the next 20 years, clear all of them out, unless they actually do something.
Very few Democrats have actually Done Something so far.
And I am not counting writing nasty letters as fcking doing something.
There are 11 co-signers to the Cheney impeachment bill, thats an example of doing something.
October 17th, 2007 at 2:09 amWitch1,
Don’t feel silly, a lot of us have been doint the same.
It just occurs so me, as I think about Joe Nacchio, and why he refused to go along with the whole wire tapping scheme, how corrupt the entire system is.
Joe’s no angel. Chances are fairly good that he blackmailed the DoJ. You don’t tell on me and I won’t tell on you. Unfortunately, I suspect that Pelosi has the same gig goin.’
While this speaks poorly for our government, as long as we are able to discuss the issue, freedom reigns.
Let our governors get a hold of our Internet, we will be beseiged by trouble.
October 17th, 2007 at 2:44 amPS,
Don’t believe that Pelosi’s known about wire-tapping since ‘00. . . . probably since ‘02, but who would have thought that the adm came into office intending to debunk the Constitution.
October 17th, 2007 at 2:49 amoh hey Vet… sorry i ragged on you in the other thread, where my confusion arose was you said “billo and his ilk” and i thought you were reeferring to biblo baggins from TP and not billow-riley. mea bigfootia
October 17th, 2007 at 3:03 amHmmm, isn’t that the exact definition of yes-men? Men who proclaim ‘the prez is always right’? So… if we take this idiots word for it, it is our childrens that is learning, we do have been using ‘the google’ on the internets and the American economy is strong. There is something to be said about the fact that the world seems to be run by childrens….
October 17th, 2007 at 4:09 am#67 Of course the prez is always right. Ever since “the decider” learned how to use “th google” he’s been a model of leadership.”
If you’re a potato chip.
Frankly, I have to take dubya with a double shot of Cuervo, a jalipaneo and two olives.
October 17th, 2007 at 5:10 amwhy are the Marines provding actual military personell to a for-profit film company?
why was the actor actually punching & kicking him instead of simulation?
why is the film company using REAL GUNS on set?
if someone hadnt stepped in after that second shot, this guy would be dead.
October 17th, 2007 at 7:11 amComment by TCDon — October 17, 2007 @ 8:58 am
When you learn to write a complete, coherent english sentence, someone might listen to what you are trying to say.
October 17th, 2007 at 10:17 amNot many, but someone might be that stupid.
Comment by TCDon — October 17, 2007
The people were unhappy with the course the W admin had set America upon. In 2006 they ended GOP control, people of both parties I might add, and they are still unhappy about that course and the polls reflect that. I dont understand how the pundits, nor really care, conflate low poll numbers, for all of congress, with some type of victory and why anyone would repeat that piddle. Do you want debate the cause of the reason a majority of America is not happy about the course TCDon, or just keep pointing fingers in the Rovian style of buck passing?
October 17th, 2007 at 10:33 amMLC
Sure TCDon, whatever you say. Of course without the obstructionist Republicans in Congress or Bush’s now frequent veto Congressional ratings would be much higher. Want to tell your thugs to start voting what the citizens want instead of what Bush wants? No, because then you couldn’t go on about approval ratings.
October 17th, 2007 at 10:42 am