Crossposted from Antemedius
A devastating document chronicling the dates and explicit details of secret Congressional briefings in which members of Congress were told of the Bush administration’s torture techniques and when they had been used has been leaked from the Central Intelligence Agency.
“Briefings given to Democrats are of particular significance because the party has been the most vocal about the Bush Administration’s torture practices. Apparently, however, they had known about the practices for years. At least 19 Democrats were briefed about the techniques in detail by end of 2006.” says John Byrne at RawStory.
“The document appears to conflict with recent statements from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who was then the top Democrat on the House intelligence committee. Ms. Pelosi has said she hadn’t been told that the CIA was using the technique known as waterboarding, or simulated drowning. According to the document, Ms. Pelosi was one of the first lawmakers briefed on the interrogations in 2002.” reports the Wall Street Journal.
“CIA Director Leon Panetta said the agency compiled the document — based on the files and meeting summaries written at the time that represented the best recollections of the briefers — in response to requests from Republican lawmakers, including the top Republican on the intelligence panel.”
“The document lists 40 briefings provided to lawmakers on intelligence, judiciary and other panels, the first of which was provided to then-House intelligence committee chairman Porter Goss, a Florida Republican, and Ms. Pelosi of California on Sept. 4, 2002. That briefing is described as covering ‘enhanced interrogation techniques.” It included the use of the techniques on detainee Abu Zubaydah, background on legal authority, and “a description of the particular [enhanced interrogation techniques] that had been employed.'”
CIA document chronicling congressional briefings on interrogations.pdf
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Well?
… from mcjoan over at the Orange.
The post shows a pretty good timeline from Marcy Wheeler on this — and I still haven’t wrapped my brain around this story, so sorry for any incoherence — that a lot of what’s coming out now is an effort by the CIA and the Repubs to own the story on the Dems to deflect their own criminality.
This is a double-edged sword here — I want the Dems to be held accountable for what they did, but don’t want this story to be framed by the CIA and Repubs to cover their own asses.
Also found this comment thread started by Meteor Blades pretty interesting.
all of em. throw the bums out!
but, yes, agree w NPK, so obvious the GOPs, w CIA, with of course, Darth at the helm, making noise and efforts to disembowel the whole Justice process.
Its time that we start to drive the narrative. We The People, not so much “we” Dems.
Now we know why impeachment was off the table? Also, we know, and always really did know, why Jay Rockefeller was so supportive of the telecomms in the FISA fight. But so tell me now why we think that Conyers, Nadler, and Wexler’s call for Special Prosecutor is going to have any resonance? Or what our chances are of seeing the House impeach Bybee? And, are we really hoping that Holder will break with the Boss and appoint a SP, or prosecute any of this on his own?
The only thing that will move this further is overwhelming public outrage that continues to build as groups like the ACLU force the politicians to disclose more shit. The law and honest journalism are our only hope for justice. Or maybe Spain?
truthful here.
I’m not shocked or outraged that Pelosi’s a lying sack of shit. I’m seriously pissed, however, that nothing’s going to be done about these disclosures.
… this from TPM, is what drives me crazy:
Hell, I have no problem with the notion that some “good guys” were compromised by what happened — all of us have been compromised by what happened.
But “in as disinterested a manner as possible?” This is what makes me lose it. In our present situation, who is going to agree on the credibility of these “disinterested” commission members? The Repubs are only interested in covering their asses — they have zero interest in having the truth come out — and clearly there are many Dems who feel this way as well.
I find it laughable that anyone could expect neutral parties in this debacle and that these “disinterested parties” would show the best way to get at the truth. What this would do, given the possible Dem fears of exposure and resultant political damage, is far more likely to be a whitewash of epic proportions.
Hello…? “Leaked by the CIA…” and we just heard FROM HIS OWN LIPS, Cheney say week or two ago, that he cant wait for some more memo’s to come out, that will benefit his
defensestance…so how is it, do ya think (anybody, not just edger!), this stuff is coming out now? by frikkin ACCIDENT?
this is not a “smear” of Pelosi … okay, well whatever, but let that play out…dont get suckered into this…its divisive, its plays up to the right-wing meme that this is all a partisan thing…etc. Its not. Its a distraction, classic.
Keep yelling for a DoJ Investigation, lets the chips fall, and prosecute.
(back to my filing)
I was over at Antemedius earlier and posted this, although I’ve altered it a bit here.
Unfortunately, I do believe one thing and that is, that Nancy Pelosi, along with Jane Harmon, were in on some of the very private torture disucssion meetings with Cheney, et al. Whether or not waterboading was spelled out specifically, I don’t know. But, I don’t think she’s being truthful, one of the reasons impeachment was on the table.
From my post at your place earlier:
BooMan, who thinks all this will make a cover-up LESS likely.