Mukasey denies CIA tape details to Congress.
Attorney General Michael Mukasey “sharply rebuffed congressional demands for details about the Justice Department’s inquiry” into the destroyed CIA videotapes today. In letters to a few key senators, Mukasey said complying with congressional demands for information would make it appear as though the department was “subject to political influence.” Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT) said he was “disappointed” by Mukasey’s decision because “oversight fosters accountability.” Leahy said he plans to address the matter in an oversight hearing “early next year.”
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65 Responses to “Mukasey denies CIA tape details to Congress.”
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Chuck? Diane? Your thoughts?
December 14th, 2007 at 6:08 pmAnother Gonzo in different name & looks .
December 14th, 2007 at 6:08 pmMore stonewalling…
December 14th, 2007 at 6:09 pmOh…? *What* a surprise.
December 14th, 2007 at 6:09 pm.
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.
.
.
Not.
Frankie, you said you were leaving. Are you a liar?
December 14th, 2007 at 6:10 pm.
N E X T
Y E A R?
Oh, that’s right. They have a vacation to attend first because after all, defending and supporting the Constitution is a choice… Right?
2008 is a Congressional Job Performance Review.
.
December 14th, 2007 at 6:14 pmBALANCE OF POWER WHAT ?
December 14th, 2007 at 6:14 pmFrankie, you said you were leaving. Are you a liar?
Comment by Leftside Annie
He knocked at the door of Raw Story and DailyKOS, but they wouldn’t answer his call. He turned away more frustrated than ever.
December 14th, 2007 at 6:15 pmIf their is nothing to hide Frank there is no need for a scorched earth policy now is there?
December 14th, 2007 at 6:15 pmFunny when the whereabouts of Rose Law Firm documents were the most burning issue in the GOP-ers world.
-GSD
December 14th, 2007 at 6:17 pmI am so utterly and completely sick of stupid people!!!
December 14th, 2007 at 6:19 pm.
#3 Comment by Frank M — December 14, 2007 @ 6:09 pm
So, destroying evidence withheld from the 9/11 Omission so as to preserve identities of those who committed (WAR) crimes is acceptable?
Frank, you never have answered my question:
Since when is torture… legal?
But now I have another one for you:
Since when is obstruction of justice… legal?
Oh, I know the answers to both of these:
~ When it suits your team… NO?
LOL
Partisan doctrines are still partisan for political gains.
WHY DO YOU HATE AMERICA?
.
December 14th, 2007 at 6:20 pmLeahy said he plans to address the matter in an oversight hearing “early next year.
Yeah, let them do the Christmas Waterboarding Special…
December 14th, 2007 at 6:23 pmMukasey said complying with congressional demands for information would make it appear as though the department was “subject to political influence.â€
That horse has been out of the barn for a loooooong time.
December 14th, 2007 at 6:26 pmAt least he remembers the tapes that document torture.
December 14th, 2007 at 6:27 pmThat’s a positive.
Now if he would only recognize Congressional over site of the Justice Department as part of our checks and balances form of Government and not just ‘political influence’ we might be able get back to our Constitutional basics.
way too little too late. Our only hope is international trials after the term expires. It is obvious that these oversight people are not aggressive or slick enough to overcome the Stonewalling etc.
It is time to lead as opposed to follow.
December 14th, 2007 at 6:27 pmMaybe Congress need to enact a probationary law for Presidential appointees where Congress can pull their conformation if job performance isn’t satisfactory within a 90 day period. Would that count as making government being run like a business. In many organizations a manager can let people go without having to give cause during that period.
December 14th, 2007 at 6:29 pmImagine if this oversight situation was turned into an episode of COPS. The men in Blue get the call, find the suspect sitting on the front steps of the police station red handed smoking a bag of crack. The COPS hand the crack head a letter or two, but do not cuff the suspect.
Instead they sit and watch as the crackhead finishes his bag of dope with a middle finger up. The COPS are frustrated to the point of maybe sending another letter to crackhead next season.
Still no COPS mentions cuffs let alone a full prone take down.
December 14th, 2007 at 6:37 pmSo now when congress does it’s job, it’s partisan.
December 14th, 2007 at 6:37 pmActually substitute crackhead with a burglar stealing computers from the Police station.
Thought it a bit unfair to compare crack-heads to the people who are being subvervise with oversight.
December 14th, 2007 at 6:39 pmInstead they sit and watch as the crackhead finishes his bag of dope with a middle finger up. The COPS are frustrated to the point of maybe sending another letter to crackhead next season.
Comment by Hug The Moon
hahahaha!
December 14th, 2007 at 6:42 pmDeny everything, refuse to hand over anything, burn all documents, lock all doors and cabinets, throw away the keys. Don’t let the partisan witch-hunts get anywhere.
Comment by Frank M — December 14, 2007 @ 6:09 pm
Yeah God Bless America, you effing traitor. Are you a Bushite or an American? Pick one son, you can’t be both.
December 14th, 2007 at 6:44 pmNew boss same as the old boss.
I hope a Christmas Tree falls on Schumer and Feinstien and they’re buried before the New Year.
It is simply amassing that didn’t tell this sycophant piece-of-shit to get out of the chair and not have the door hit him in the ass the moment he said he couldn’t say if water-boarding is torture or not.
My dog knows it’s torture!
December 14th, 2007 at 6:55 pmI am so sick of these obstructionist of justice. My local chapter of Democrats here in California is pledging to work twice as hard as ever to throw Fienstein out. I have never been so dismayed at one of our representatives. Schumer, I hope you also get booted out.
December 14th, 2007 at 6:55 pmWe’re furious this is both your fault.
I agree with Anthony etal, my first thoughts went to Feinstein who voted this corporate apologist in KNOWINGLY….is there any way we can get her recalled???
December 14th, 2007 at 7:00 pmGood job on trusting this psychophant, Diane, George. Hope you are hearing it from your consituents. Maybe we’ll get lucky and they’ll recall you.
December 14th, 2007 at 7:00 pmSoon Mukasey will not recall remembering.
December 14th, 2007 at 7:04 pmLeahy sold Progressives short for Mukasey–now he’s reaping the whirlwind. We need tougher Democrats!
December 14th, 2007 at 7:06 pmLeahy sold Progressives short for Mukasey–now he’s reaping the whirlwind. We need tougher Democrats!
Comment by Doc Rock — December 14, 2007 @ 7:06 pm
Leahy ain’t “reaping” sh|t! The American people are being SCREWED into the ground by BOTH PARTIES!!!! Schmuck Schumer SCREWED the DemoRATS!!!! Mukasey is a FACIST PHU(K!!!!
December 14th, 2007 at 7:10 pmThat is the worst argument ever. He could say that every time anyone asked for information about anything. All 3 branches are in it together, why should any branch have the right to hide relevant information from any other branch?
December 14th, 2007 at 7:11 pmSSDD
December 14th, 2007 at 7:17 pmThugs in a crime family always stick together…the family is more important than the constitution or democracy.
December 14th, 2007 at 7:20 pmMukasey has power, and he used it.
Interesting concept.
December 14th, 2007 at 7:23 pmMukasey just wants the next Lawyer of the Year Award.
December 14th, 2007 at 7:23 pmIt was clear to most of us here that Mukasey was going to be another toady for Bush - why Schumer and Feinstein didn’t agree is astounding — they gave this guy the seat for the next year and this was a major screwup?/sellout? on their part.
December 14th, 2007 at 7:24 pmFeinstein has always blown with the wind but I expected more from Schumer — liek many republiscum who talk the talk, then vote for whatever the boy-king desires, Schumer talks the talk and then surrenders.
They have betrayed us - we screamed loud and clear to them and they ignored us - now we have Mukasey, an older, more experienced Gonzo.
Doc Rock,
We need better Americans in BOTH PARTIES!!! What we have are corporate FACISTS in both parties!!! Screwing the common people into the 3rd world!!!
December 14th, 2007 at 7:26 pm#34-Stonewalling is considered power by the supporters of the crime family thugs. Justice is considered the ultimate goal of those who love the United States. This government is of the people, by the people, and for the people, not the fascist and morons who allow them to trample the constitution.
December 14th, 2007 at 7:31 pmIt was clear to most of us here that Mukasey was going to be another toady for Bush - why Schumer and Feinstein didn’t agree is astounding — they gave this guy the seat for the next year and this was a major screwup?/sellout? on their part.
Feinstein has always blown with the wind but I expected more from Schumer — liek many republiscum who talk the talk, then vote for whatever the boy-king desires, Schumer talks the talk and then surrenders.
They have betrayed us - we screamed loud and clear to them and they ignored us - now we have Mukasey, an older, more experienced Gonzo.
Comment by Marie — December 14, 2007 @ 7:24 pm
That’s right on point and needs be read again real slow—and then focus progressives and liburals—the DemoRats are almost as bad as the RePugniScums!!
Progressives need to CLEAN HOUSE!!
Schmuck Schumer must go!!
Fienstein must go!!
Nancy PollLoser must go!!
These are not friends of progressives or AMERICANS!!!
These are SPINELESS samples of Corporate suckups!!!
December 14th, 2007 at 7:35 pmHeckava job, Chuck and Diane!
December 14th, 2007 at 7:44 pmI guess Bushco was against Jurisprudence before they were for it.
December 14th, 2007 at 7:45 pmWhat do those Democrats have to say?
Thank you, DiFi. I keep holding my breath waiting for DiFi to do the right thing, and I keep passing out.
December 14th, 2007 at 8:22 pmDeny everything, refuse to hand over anything, burn all documents, lock all doors and cabinets, throw away the keys. Don’t let the partisan witch-hunts get anywhere.
Comment by Frank M — December 14, 2007 @ 6:09 pm
What a cowardly response. If you haven’t done anything wrong, you’ve got nothing to be afraid of.
December 14th, 2007 at 8:35 pmMs. Lindsey would piss in his pants if he was put in the Military. Now we see a closet gay speaking about something he knows nothing about. We hear Generals say waterboarding is torture now Lindsey and the Girls Club would get their pink hankies if anyone even showed them a board for waterboarding. I hope someone catches Ms. Lindsey tapping in the men’s room so he will stop trying to act like a man.
December 14th, 2007 at 8:37 pmIf the Dems win the election in 2008, can we change House and Senate leaders?
December 14th, 2007 at 9:00 pm“Mukasey said complying with congressional demands for information would make it appear as though the department was “subject to political influence.â€
That horse has been out of the barn for a loooooong time.”
Not to mention that the department IS subject to Congressional oversight. Well, they were before the currect regime, at least.
December 14th, 2007 at 10:44 pm“What a cowardly response. If you haven’t done anything wrong, you’ve got nothing to be afraid of.”
That sounds so familiar for some reason. It is almost as if we have been told that by the Rethugs before…damn my horrible memory.
December 14th, 2007 at 10:46 pmLet me point out a hypothetical scenario as to why information about aggressice CIA techniques (**NOT** torture) needs to be kept highly classified. Consider the following scene described in Mario Puzo’s novel “The Godfather”:
The two Capone men were bound hand and foot and small bath towels were stuffed into their mouths to keep them from crying out. Then Brasi took an ax from its place against the wall and started hacking at one of the Capone men. He chopped the man’s feet off, then the legs at the knees, then the thighs where they joined the torso. Brasi was an extremely powerful man but it took him many swings to accomplish his purpose. By that time of course the victim had given up the ghost and the floor of the warehouse was slippery with the hacked fragments of his flesh and the gouting of his blood. When Brasi turned to his second victim he found further effort unnecessary. The second Capone gunman out of sheer terror had, impossibly. swallowed the bath towel in his mouth and suffocated. The bath towel was found in the man’s stomach when the police performed their autopsy to determine the cause of death.
Now reimagine this scene with two Al-Qaeda operatives, say Abdul and Mohammed. Now the CIA can reenact the above with a **virtual** simulation of the above scene with a virtual Abdul as subject and the real Mohammed as horrified observer, and in another room the same with the roles of A and M interchanged. In virtually no time at all, A and M are singing like birds. And as former CIA agent John Kiriakou recently recounted, once they started singing they will continue to keep singing, without any further prodding. Moreover the reliability of their information can be cross checked against each other. On the other hand, once it became known to Al Qaeda that this was only a virtual simulation, this technique would become completely ineffective.
December 14th, 2007 at 10:49 pmI sure hope that was a satirical post, nabalz.
December 14th, 2007 at 11:04 pmRep. Robert Wexler (FL-19) and two other Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee - Luis Gutierrez (IL-04) and Tammy Baldwin (WI-02) - today called on the committee to begin impeachment hearings for Vice President Cheney.
They declared, “The charges are too serious to ignore. There is credible evidence that the Vice President abused the power of his office, and not only brought us into an unneccesary war but violated the civil liberties and privacy of American citizens. It is the constitutional duty of Congress to hold impeachment hearings.”
The three Democrats wrote an op-ed to announce their position, but none of the nation’s leading newspapers would publish it - just as they refuse to include impeachment in their polls, and just as they refuse to publish their own investigations of the crimes of the Bush Administration. Why? Because the Corporate Media is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Republican Party, as it has been since the Reagan Revolution of 1980.
So this important announcement was made on a Blogcall hosted by Democrat.com, and was covered by progressive blogs - the only news media that serves the people, not the Corporations.
You can read the full op-ed at Rep. Wexler’s new site - http://wexlerwantshearings.com - where you can also watch a powerful video by Wexler.
Rep. Wexler needs to collect 50,000 signatures to convince his Democratic colleagues that the American people truly support impeachment hearings. So please sign his petition:
http://wexlerwantshearings.com
You can also send an email to Wexler’s other colleagues on Judiciary:
http://www.democrats.com/topelosiandjudiciary
Please share this exciting news with your friends, your favorite blogs, and your favorite talk shows - including Air America Radio.
December 14th, 2007 at 11:08 pmI am again proud of my Rep. Tammy Baldwin. I guess I can only hope for a 99% correct vote rate.
December 14th, 2007 at 11:09 pmIt is time to call Mukasey for what he really is: A WAR CRIMINAL WHO APPROVES TORTURE! A COWARD THAT REFUSES TO UNSWER HIS OPINION ON WATERBOARD! YOU MR. MUKASEY, DESERVES TO BE WATERBOARD BY YOUR OWN FACIST GOVERNMENT!
December 14th, 2007 at 11:11 pmComment by IMPEACH NOW
December 14th, 2007 at 11:14 pmThanks for the link!!!!!! Very nice of you passing the news around, since Murdock refuses to do so! HAGE 09!
sacopenapa. With all due respect (I know English is not your first language, though you seem quite proficient to me), it is the Hague.
December 14th, 2007 at 11:26 pmMukasey thanked the Senators for “their interest in this matter”.
That was nice. Very polite. Good manners. A proper gentleman.
Chuck and Dianne are probably thinking “Hey, he’s a really nice guy. We’re feeling good about casting the votes that put him there” right now.
December 14th, 2007 at 11:31 pmComment by nabalzbbfr
December 14th, 2007 at 11:32 pmNOW VERY CLEVER ‘BOY’, HERE IS ANOTHER HYPOTESIS THAT YOU NEVER CONSIDER WHEN YOU WATCH TOO MUCH OF “24 HOURS”: AN AMERICAN SOLDIER GET KIDNAPED, THE WH AND THEIR CORPORATE MEDIA GET A VIDEO THE WEEK AFTER SHOW THE KDNAPED SOLDIER GOING THROUGH 30 OF ‘ENHANCED INTERROGATION’. i’M SURE THAT SOLDIER IS NOT YOU, BEACUSE YOU ARE NOT BRAVE ENOUGH TO WEARE AN UNIFORM! ANOTHER HYPOTESIS, THE US GOVERNMENT CAPTURES AN INOCENT IRAQUI WHO WAS DEFFENDING HIS COUNTRY FROM A FORINGNER OCCUPATION. HE KNOWS NOTHING, BUT AFTER THE US “INTERROGATES” HIM, HE CONFESSES PLOTING TO 9/11, DESPITE 9/11 HAVING NOTHING TO DO WITH HIM. THE GOVERNMENT GETS HIS “CONFETION” AND USES IT AS “EVIDENCE” AND DO A SONG AND DANCE THEATRE FOR THE MEDIA SAYING THAT THEY HAVE CAPTURED A NUMBER 1 TERRORIST. THE GOVERNMENT IS REALY HAPPY FOR ONE MORE TIME THEY MANAGE TO DIVERTE ATTENTION AWAY FROM THE FACT THAT 9/11 WAS AN INSIDE JOB!
Sabyen91 Hoe embarassing!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for correcting me! My proficiency comes from the fact that I live in Australia, but I come from Brazil… Saby91 you made me blush!!!
December 14th, 2007 at 11:34 pm… and when I get to excited about the issues here, my typing also goes somewhere else… sorry!
December 14th, 2007 at 11:36 pmsee it happened againg with ‘too excited’ and ‘how embarrasing’… I’ll get there!
December 14th, 2007 at 11:37 pmAt leat my english is much better than Bush’s!
December 14th, 2007 at 11:37 pmHehe, much better, saco.
December 14th, 2007 at 11:39 pmI meant “at Least”!!! I’ll get there! Hehehehe!
December 14th, 2007 at 11:39 pmYou are doing just fine, saco. I didn’t mean to make you self-conscious. You are doing great.
December 14th, 2007 at 11:54 pmOoohh So suddenly the department is no longer politicized?
This is obviously a one-way-street approach, right?
What a joke! And the party goes on, and on, and on.
Why was Nixon impeached??? He did NOTHING compared to what Bush/Cheney are doing.
All Bush-it!! Hail Bush-it!!!
December 15th, 2007 at 11:49 amOur government has become a fascist regime under the worst president ever.,..a man who is dumber than a bag of rocks. We have allowed his crime family use him as a puppet and the rubbernecked worthless republican party to overthrow our government while they yelled that the terrorists are coming to attack the trailer parks. Give me a freaking break. Are we supposed to roll over and allow it to happen? These bastards work for us. Where did we miss this message?
December 15th, 2007 at 5:00 pmIn the confirmation hearings, Mukasey was asked a straightforward question that seems rather simple.
He declined to answer.
Congress had their chance then. They blew it when they confirmed him before getting an answer.
December 16th, 2007 at 6:41 pm