Rush Holt Wins Congressional Approval For Measure To Mandate Videorecording Of Interrogations
Rush Holt Wins Congressional Approval For Measure To Mandate Videorecording Of Interrogations
Earlier this week, the House of Representatives passed as part of the 2010 Defense Authorization conference report a new requirement that would mandate the videorecording of all interrogations of anyone in a Defense Department facility:
Congress is moving to require videotaping of interrogations of detainees held by the military, a step proponents say will prevent abuse and create a valuable intelligence record.
The provision, which the House passed on Thursday as part of the 2010 Defense Authorization Act conference report, would apply to interrogations of anyone held at a Defense Department facility. Because the Central Intelligence Agency’s secret overseas prisons have been closed, it would most likely cover terrorism suspects whether they were questioned by a military or a C.I.A. officer.
Rep. Rush Holt (D-NJ), who first proposed the videotaping measure, said that it will allow the government to “continue the process of putting our detainee policies back on a sound legal footing while maintaining our ability to get actionable intelligence.”
Indeed, Holt’s measure would do much to curb abuse in the interrogation system. The New York Times notes that although the Guantanamo Bay prison camp — the site of many human rights abuses — contained video recording equipment, “it was rarely used.”
Under the previous administration, officials simply destroyed recordings of abusive interrogations. Following an ACLU lawsuit earlier this year, the CIA admitted to destroying 92 videotaped recordings of abusive interrogations, prompting ACLU attorney Amrit Singh to accuse the agency of engaging in a “systematic attempt to hide evidence of its illegal interrogations.”
The measure is also incredibly important at a time when many civil liberties advocates are concerned that the detention camp at Bagram Airforce Base in Afghanistan has become the same sort of “legal black hole” that Guantanamo once was, with prisoners facing poor conditions and little in the way of due process.
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You go, Rush Holt!
It doesn’t take an astrophysicist to know it’s a good idea to limit the abuses of power endemic in our system of interrogations…but it actually took an astrophysicist to limit the abuses of power endemic in our system of interrogations.
October 10th, 2009 at 9:35 am“…mandate the videorecording of all interrogations of anyone in a Defense Department facility:”
Define “Defense Department Facility”. Can anyone say “loophole big enough to drive a rendition-bound military jet through?
Why not say “in US Military custody”?
October 10th, 2009 at 9:44 am“…mandate the videorecording of all interrogations of anyone in a Defense Department facility:”
…and put them up on You-Tube.
October 10th, 2009 at 9:53 amWhy not say in “US custody” anywhere on Earth? Period.
October 10th, 2009 at 9:56 amWhat a positive action, America taking steps to return to the global family with values you can be proud.
Far from complete but a step in the right direction.
October 10th, 2009 at 10:03 amHas the Obama Administration publicly stated how it defines torture yet? The bushies whole “we don’t torture” argument was based on their fu@cked up definition of torture. I hate to be a jerk about it, but when President (and Nobel Prize Winner) says “America will not torture” it sounds like he’s quoting bush, and my skin crawls.
October 10th, 2009 at 10:07 amBobwurst, canidate Obama had far more latitude than President Obama. Considering the crap left on the floor by Cheney/Bush any step away from the “anything goes” is a positive step. Credit can be given for that.
Like you, I believe Obama owes America far more and I hope he will deliver.
October 10th, 2009 at 10:27 amThink Progress, I’d like to know the vote tally. New York Times story doesn’t mention it either.
October 10th, 2009 at 10:31 amLemmings:
October 10th, 2009 at 10:39 amUse “the google”.
Answers ye seek, ye shall find.
I agree with Flight (@5). This isn’t the complete reversal of the Bush policies we’d like, but when we’d been running in the wrong direction for 8 years, this is a solid step in the right direction.
More importantly, it establishes the norm (which before was ‘anything goes’). Now, if abuses come to light, they are automatically and obviously abhorrent (as, indeed, they were to most of us all along).
Getting the National Security apparatus under control (when for 8 years it was super-funded, given carte-blanche, and jealously protected by those willing to lie about classified information and invoke Executive Privilege to protect it) will be a process, not an instant event. The people Bush put in charge had enormous power, and given that Obama will not conduct a bloody purge, this is a sensible way to remove that power.
Rush Holt is a bright and honorable fellow. I’m comfortable that we can continue this process with him taking the lead.
October 10th, 2009 at 10:42 amMurphis
October 10th, 2009 at 10:50 amWe need to talk.
seriously?
i thought house.gov and senate.gov were sites of common knowledge…
pretty easy, really…
October 10th, 2009 at 10:58 ami miss our good long-time friend, juan…
October 10th, 2009 at 11:02 amhe was very smart AND knowledgeable…
Hi Katy (@15),
Have you seen the vote record? I looked on House.gov, but I don’t see it. If you could point me to it, I’d appreciate it.
Thanks,
October 10th, 2009 at 11:06 amYou’re right, flight, President, and Nobel Prize winner Obama (that sure sounds nice) has made some progress. He is doing what he said he’d do in Iraq; a measured withdrawal that is based on the situation on the ground.
But he’s letting the architects of our torture policy (and yes it is our policy, America voted those a$$holes into office to represent us) skate. He’s still using Blackwater. He hasn’t changed the rules on WallStreet.
So when he doesn’t say “America will once again abide by the” Geneva Conventions and not torture” I get nervous. Why can’t he say that? Why is he leaving that wiggle room?
October 10th, 2009 at 11:09 amAll google news entries say amendment and bill were passed last June. TP, what do you mean “earlier this week?”
October 10th, 2009 at 11:09 amThere. Was that so hard?? Now, fix the loopholes and rejoin civilized society.
October 10th, 2009 at 11:11 amRight on.
O/T: outraged Republicans and their media shills are sputtering and spewing that President Obama received the Nobel Peace Prise. They are demanding that the Nobel Committee create War Prizes, Hate Prizes, Fear Prizes, Torture Prizes, Tyranny Prizes, and Treason Prizes… Did I leave anything off of the list, Goopers?
October 10th, 2009 at 11:13 amHere’s the vote on the Holt amendment:
http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2009/roll457.xml
My thanks to Katy and johnbwarner, who put me on the right track.
October 10th, 2009 at 11:23 amAfter Abu Grainy, Rumsfeld’s solution was to take away the cameras. I think one of the best ways to prevent abuse is to make sure there are lots of cameras.
Just think how differently Tienanmen Square would have panned out had everyone had cameras. The revolution in Iran is not over. Partly because of cameras.
The coup to overthrow Gorbachov and replace him with hardliners, something Stalin easily got away with so long ago but failed in 1991, was partly because of cameras. (and Cell phones)
Someone should invent a cheap satellite uploading, small, long battery life camera that can be made in large quantities and dropped from airplanes over areas of the world with crises and controversy. Shining a light on abuse DOES make a difference.
October 10th, 2009 at 11:28 amgood on ya, peter c… sorry i missed your request earlier…
October 10th, 2009 at 11:32 ambut, you’re welcome…!
The vote (for the Holt amendment) was 224 to 193, largely on party lines. 10 Republicans joined 214 Democrats voting for the amendment. 31 Democrats joined 162 Republicans to vote against it. The 31 Democrats were:
Altmire
Arcuri
Baird
Barrow
Boren
Bright
Cardoza
Chandler
Childers
Costa
Cuellar
Davis (AL)
Davis (TN)
Dingell
Donnelly (IN)
Ellsworth
Gordon (TN)
Griffith
Holden
Kirkpatrick (AZ)
Kosmas
Kratovil
Marshall
Matheson
Murphy (CT)
Peterson
Ross
Shuler
Space
Taylor
Teague
If one of these is your representative, you should ask them to explain their vote.
October 10th, 2009 at 11:34 amOval – were you listening to randi rhodes yesterday too?
October 10th, 2009 at 11:34 amgood caller with that suggestion, awards that the frighties can actually win!
To those 193 U.S. reps: Why do cameras make you so nervous? I get it. You’re unabashed lovers of torture.
October 10th, 2009 at 11:38 ampeter c – i’m guessing many of those dems voted against the whole 2010 Defense Authorization, of which this was a part of…
October 10th, 2009 at 11:42 amTen Republicans voted sensibly. They were:
Bartlett
Cassidy
Castle
Ehlers
Inglis
Johnson (IL)
Jones
Paul
Rohrabacher
Smith (NJ)
Six Republicans didn’t vote:
Cao
Diaz-Balart, L.
Flake
Putnam
Smith (TX)
Sullivan
If you live in a Republican district and your Representative is NOT on one of these lists, you should ask them, PUBLICALLY, what their objections to the amendment were, and MAKE THEM ANSWER.
Yes, yes, I know … good luck with that. *sighs*
October 10th, 2009 at 11:46 amThe House Clerk clearly states this vote was for “Holt of New Jersey Amendment No.34″ and not the entire Defense Act.
Anybody care to clear the confusion?
And TP, again, this vote took place June 25, NOT “earlier this week.”
October 10th, 2009 at 11:48 amO pfft. They will just destroy or keep secret this stuff.
October 10th, 2009 at 11:50 amHi Katy,
This was the vote just for the amendment (which seems to have been just about video taping). I’m OK with voting against the whole Defense Authorization. I think the vote for/against the amendment is justifiably a basic moral issue divested of all the fiscal baggage. This seems to me to be a relatively pure one-concept vote (which seems to me to be a rare and beautiful thing). Now, I admire Rush Holt even more for forcing the issue in such a basic, transparent way.
October 10th, 2009 at 11:53 amMurphis:
October 10th, 2009 at 11:54 amWe still need to talk…
I really wish they wouldnt link to sites one must register at. I dont like the NYT, have never liked the NYT and not about to register with the NYT.
October 10th, 2009 at 11:54 amI think you misspelled ‘this’ Murpiss
October 10th, 2009 at 11:55 amHi john (@32),
My understanding is that the vote this week was for the conference report (squaring the House and Senate versions of the bill). Since the conference report contained the Holt amendment, it will go into law if/when the whole bill passes.
This is a success for Holt, since his amendment, passed back in June, survived the conference committee process.
October 10th, 2009 at 11:58 amAnkor
October 10th, 2009 at 11:59 amThank you Peter C. Now I’m even more curious what 193 congress people found troubling about the entire Defense Act.
October 10th, 2009 at 12:07 pmSounds like ginslinger has been to Hagees church.
October 10th, 2009 at 12:07 pmwell, i could be confused about the exact vote…
http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2009/index.asp
October 10th, 2009 at 12:08 pmOr was there a different tally this week? Confused.
October 10th, 2009 at 12:08 pmMeanwhile the senate is set to keep the rights robbing patriot act in force.
October 10th, 2009 at 12:09 pmLets get partial birth abortions, electrocutions, catholic priest playtime and all sorts of other cool faces of death type shit out there as well. How about a whole site dedidcated to white trash christian child abusers what with the chain to the radiotor and all…What do you say Tangueray?
October 10th, 2009 at 12:09 pmAnd when, punfinger, is Jesus coming back to earth to smite and kill those Allah missed?
October 10th, 2009 at 12:12 pmBobwurst,
The wiggle room the President has let himself makes me nervous. I don’t think Cheney/Bush was the first adminstration to cross into this gray area, and they won’t be the last. What Cheney/Bush did was to abuse the wiggle room to such an extent that the guys who follow are screwed. I am willing to extend to President Obama a guarded benifit of the doubt. It boils down to trust.
Considering the Cheney/Bush legacy, I would’t rule out any legal action reguarding the Cheney/Bush years. If this adminstration is planning to proceed, it’s best to have all the footwork complete, and that may take many months. Again, a matter of trust.
October 10th, 2009 at 12:14 pm460 25-Jun H R 2647 On Passage P Department of Defense Authorization, FY 2010
459 25-Jun H R 2647 On Motion to Recommit with Instructions F Department of Defense Authorization, FY 2010
458 25-Jun H R 2647 On Agreeing to the Amendment A Connolly of Virginia Amendment No. 20
457 25-Jun H R 2647 On Agreeing to the Amendment A Holt of New Jersey Amendment No. 34
http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2009/ROLL_400.asp
evidently the amendment was agreed to in june, but passed last week…
October 10th, 2009 at 12:16 pmI suppose you feel lick chicken tonight like chicken tonight like chicken tonight… Well it is what it is…. Not that it matters…
October 10th, 2009 at 12:20 pmCareful,ginslinger. It is dangerous to make this a battle of religions. It seems to me that abuses are committed by governments when they are controlled by religious fanatics who have twisted and tortured religious concepts and combined them with political power. We are much better off if we base our actions on legal concepts that are not tied to religion. That is the beauty of our precious and uniquely American concept of the separation of Church and State (a contribution to the world that makes me proud to be an American).
October 10th, 2009 at 12:22 pmginslinger,
Are you sure you are an American? You are a Rush boy, ditto head to be exact (you guys hate America).
ginslinger,
October 10th, 2009 at 12:22 pmBeck=Linbaugh=brainrot, and you have it, I feel sorry for you!
ginslinger
October 10th, 2009 at 12:52 pmHave you ever been to any of the nations you suggest to understand? If so can you please provide that list. Thanks again
Intentional misspelling peace is so telling of intentions…
October 10th, 2009 at 12:53 pmSince he would have to leave his mother’s basement, it is unlikely that ginslinger has ever been outside the U.S.
Ginslinger, have you asked that pussy Rick Martinez why he will not debate me one on one?
October 10th, 2009 at 12:56 pmTell meof these intentions
October 10th, 2009 at 1:02 pmOh and this that a no as to those nations you know so much of?
October 10th, 2009 at 1:03 pmWhat are they becoming? Does 7-11 sell fair trade? Does ethnic “humor” amuse you?
October 10th, 2009 at 1:14 pmginslinger says:
Damned straight, no hidden agenda on my part. Let it all hang out, no trying to disguise my “intentions” what so ever.
So you’re proud of your sedition, treason and terrorism? Fair enough. I’m sure the FBI will be very interested in your “values”…
October 10th, 2009 at 1:18 pmDo you have any material on the other major faiths? It might help balance the act…
October 10th, 2009 at 1:24 pmIt cracks me up when you “vote”
October 10th, 2009 at 1:26 pmginslinger says:
——————————————————————————–
Peter C says:
careful,ginslinger. It is dangerous to make this a battle of religions
Very astute Pete. Now quickly, point out a secular government in a predominantly muslim country that isn’t under attack by Islamic nutballs. Can you honestly compare what happens in our society to the level of horror and violence perpetrated by the adherents to the religion of piece?
……………………………………………………..
ginslinger,
Look around you, Religion of peace. This is not the menu served up by the boys from “C” street. Hell we have gun shops on every street corner, Christian churches providing firearm training to kids. Republicans calling for a bloody revolution to eliminate the “Obama Problem”. Iraq, Invading a sovereign nation without provocation and destroying its society.
You tell me please what Christian religion is being practiced in the Republican Party.
October 10th, 2009 at 1:26 pmI am not familiar with a Christ that would condone any of their actions, none.
ginslinger says:
——————————————————————————–
dbadass says:
Does ethnic “humor” amuse you?
Not in the least,
Q: What do you ask a man who’s just converted to Islam?
A: Have you started beating your wife?
Q How many Muslims does it take to change a lightbulb?
A: None, they prefer to sit in the dark and blame it on the Jews.
Q: How do you get a Muslim woman pregnant?
A: Dress her up as a goat.
Q: Did you hear the one about the Muslim who won a Nobel Prize in Mathematics?
A:Neither did I.
Q How can you recognise a well-balanced Muslim?
A He’s got chips on both shoulders.
Q: What’s the difference between Dar al-Islam and a pot of bio-yogurt?
A: The yogurt has a living culture.
Guy goes into sex shop and asks for an inflatable doll. Assistant asks him whether he wants a Christian one or a Muslim one. Customer asks what’s the difference. Assistant explains that you need a pump for the Christian doll, but the Muslim one blows itself up.
“”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”
ginslinger,
October 10th, 2009 at 1:34 pmI see you are a man of principles, Republican principles that is.
ginslinger says:
Oh noes! Not the feared Fanatical Bast ards of Islam! Please don’t report me!
Wow, you have such “kind words” to use when describing your extremist religious movement. Hey, your words fit you nicely poor little fascist fanatical lunatic! LOL! ;)
October 10th, 2009 at 1:55 pmGinslinger… do you like the Nobel Prize in Mathematics?
Is Mathematics something you value?
Then you should thank the Islamic world for both preserving and developing it. Most modern Mathematics is based on innovations and techniques discovered in the medieval Islamic world.
Ever wonder why those numbers we use to DO mathematics are called ‘Arabic numerals?’ (1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,0?)
No?
Then you’re a huge zero.
(hey, I made a joke!)
October 10th, 2009 at 1:56 pmginslinger says:
Q: What do you ask a man who’s just converted to the Republican party?
A: Have you started beating your wife? Or were you already a Libertarian?
Q How many Republicans does it take to change a lightbulb?
A: None, they pay the illegal aliens to change it, while whining about the wages.
Q: How do you get a Republican woman pregnant?
A: Dress her up as a you male Republican Page.
Q: Did you hear the one about the Republican who won a Nobel Prize in Mathematics?
A:Neither did I!
Q How can you recognise a well-balanced Republicans?
A He’s got chips on both shoulders, and fake boobs on both chest from all of the fried chicken.
Q: What’s the difference between the GOP and a pot of bio-yogurt?
A: The yogurt has a living culture.
Guy goes into sex shop and asks for an inflatable doll. Assistant asks him whether he wants a Liberal one or a Conservative one. Customer asks what’s the difference. Assistant explains that you need a pump for the Liberal doll, but the Conservative one blows itself up.
There, fixed your jokes ginslinger. They now better reflect “your” lack of culture! Cheers – loser! ;)
October 10th, 2009 at 2:00 pmflight says:
ginslinger,
I see you are a man of principles, Republican principles that is.
Ironic how much ginslinger and the rest of the right wing religious GOP have in common with extremist muslims, yet they still think they’re enemies! LOL! I’m sure they long for the days when they were fighting side by side under Ronnie Raygun and the muslims were the “heroic” “freedom fighters” of the hollywood cowboy presidential movies! LOL! ;)
October 10th, 2009 at 2:03 pmginslinger:
Why should you never play hide and seek with Jesus?
He peeks through the holes in his hands.
What is the difference between a southern Baptist’s dog and his wife?
One is kept chained to the porch and kicked every day and the other one is taken hunting.
A Jew a Hindi and a conservative Christian are out driving in the country one day when their car breaks down near a farm. They go up to the farmhouse and ask the farmer if they can spend the night there and the farmer says
“sure, but there’s only room for two of you in the house, one will have to sleep in the barn.”
So they decide to play rock paper scissors to see who sleeps in the barn. The Jew loses and he heads out to the barn. 5 minutes later there is a knock at the door and when the farmer answers it he finds the Jew who says:
“I’m sorry guys, but there’s a pig in the barn and my religious beliefs won’t allow me to sleep there.
So the Hindi and the conservative Christian flip a coin and the Hindi loses. Out to the barn he trudges. 5 minutes later there is a knock on the door. The farmer answers it and he finds the Hindi standing there and he says:
“I am so sorry my friends, but it seems there is a cow in the barn as well, and they are considered holy in my religion, and there is no way i can possibly sleep in the same structure as a god. ”
So the conservative Christian rolls his eyes and stomps out to the barn. 30 minutes later there is a know on the door. The farmer answers it and he finds his cow and pig on the porch, covered in semen and bleeding from their anuses.
October 10th, 2009 at 2:34 pm@ 2. House of Roberts says: “…mandate the videorecording of all interrogations of anyone in a Defense Department facility:” Define “Defense Department Facility”. Can anyone say “loophole big enough to drive a rendition-bound military jet through? Why not say “in US Military custody”? October 10th, 2009 at 9:44 am
Actually, you’d think that any interrogation done by anyone in a Federal department or contracted to, etc, etc, should be recorded; anyone in Federal custody, whether it be military, law enforcement, or intelligence service custody should have any interview or interrogation recorded. Both the term “Defense Department Facility” and “in US Military custody” have some legal defects. Someone in military custody doesn’t necessarily stay in military custody for interview and interrogation; may get poached by FBI or CIA counter-terrorism folks. You can’t give some people any space to weasel; most interrogators and interviewers are going to do this straight, but there’s always some arse that wants to bypass necessary protocols.
OTOH, Congressman Holt has done an excellent thing and is to be commended. Get the damn ball rolling in the right direction.
October 10th, 2009 at 2:35 pmJuan says:
This comment has been voted down. Click to read.
Obama has punted on this issue. Moot.
Your existence is moot.
Can you please STFU while I smoke my joint? Man! With trolls like you, it’s a wonder if a man can actually take a shit in peace for Christ’s sake.
October 10th, 2009 at 3:06 pmDomestic law enforcement should be required to videotape interrogations, also.
October 10th, 2009 at 3:39 pm
See: http://www.myspace.com/anonymousattorney
October 10th, 2009 at 3:40 pm“ginslinger says:
——————————————————————————–
Peter C says:
careful,ginslinger. It is dangerous to make this a battle of religions
Very astute Pete. Now quickly, point out a secular government in a predominantly muslim country that isn’t under attack by Islamic nutballs. Can you honestly compare what happens in our society to the level of horror and violence perpetrated by the adherents to the religion of piece?”
This is called a diversion. The issue at hand is how we, as a society, will act. We need not be so weak as to allow our actions to be predicated upon the actions of radicals on the other side of the globe.
I believe “shock and awe” is indeed comparable, especially as it was inflicted upon a country that posed no credible threat. I do think it is telling that this was a policy in place at a time when our country was largely controlled by religious fundamentalists with a deep-seated antipathy toward the separation of church and state.
October 10th, 2009 at 4:39 pmChristian nutbals are attacking our way of life.
October 10th, 2009 at 4:58 pmginslinger says:
Damned straight, no hidden agenda on my part. Let it all hang out, no trying to disguise my “intentions” what so ever.
You mean your “intention” to overthrow an elected president of the US? Yeah. We know your traitorous treason has no bounds grandpa jay.
October 10th, 2009 at 5:50 pmBobwurst says:
Christian nutbals are attacking our way of life.
It’s the American Taliban… They’d have women shoved back in the kitchen and be stoning gays just like their Afghan inbred look alikes.
October 10th, 2009 at 5:55 pmI think all of Congress, Senate, and the President’s meetings (the private ones) should also be mandated to be videorecorded. BS would come to a stop all over Washington.
Wouldn’t it be great of all politicians everywhere were required to wear a wire which broadcasted live 24 hours per day. I’d tune in!
October 10th, 2009 at 9:55 pm@ 85. just the bleepn facts says: Bobwurst says: Christian nutbals are attacking our way of life. It’s the American Taliban… They’d have women shoved back in the kitchen and be stoning gays just like their Afghan inbred look alikes. October 10th, 2009 at 5:55 pm
Now now, there’s no reason to insult the Taliban by comparing them to the South Ron Talibabtists (aka suthren babtists). The Taliban are the real deal; Talibabtists are real estate and insurance salesmen gone frackin’ right wing crazy. The Talibabtists would wimp out and whine to go home if you put them down among the Taliban, and if you could put a Taliban down among Talibabtists, he’d call them liberal whores and blasphemers and whack them a mighty whack.
October 11th, 2009 at 1:34 amMurphis
Kill yourself you ignorant PUNK
October 11th, 2009 at 9:21 amJuan
Why dont you go blow some more crackheads for pocketchange? Why dont you get your trailer trash whore of a mommy to take a break from blowing toothless truckers for nickles and ask her which or her brothers is your father? Last time I was your sister/wife blowing crackheads a block away from where you ply YOUR trade she was crying between slurps about how much she wishes YOU would just go kill yourself. She says she vomits evertime you come in your trailer door
October 11th, 2009 at 10:56 pmWell PeteC besides Lebanon you know what secular Islamic country WASNT under attack by Islamic nutballs? IRAQ.
October 12th, 2009 at 1:08 amThe video tapes were made prior but destroyed or hidden. But, if this stops abuse I am thrilled. estetik
October 17th, 2009 at 3:57 amThank you for your sharing.!
October 17th, 2009 at 10:51 am