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Late Night: Factory Girl | 66 comments (66 topical)

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Torture R Us (5.00 / 3) (#4)
by squeaky on Sat Apr 12, 2008 at 11:10:20 PM EST
From emptywheel:
I have no idea whether Sara's speculation is correct--that Pope Benedict just declined the invite to the State dinner Bush and Laura are throwing for him because he doesn't want to break bread with a torturer.

Guess who's not coming to dinner? Pope Benedict XVI.

President Bush and his wife, Laura, will host a White House dinner in honor of the pontiff Wednesday evening. U.S. Catholic leaders from around the nation will attend. The menu will offer Bavarian-style food in recognition of the pope's German heritage. It's even the pope's 81st birthday. But he won't be there.


But I sure hope that the media, in the midst of its mad crush to cover the story that the President has admitted he sanctioned torture, will find out.

And from digby:

The ACLU is calling on congress to appoint an independent counsel to investigate the administration's little torture reenactment parties at the white house.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WASHINGTON - In a stunning admission to ABC news Friday night, President Bush declared that he knew his top national security advisers discussed and approved specific details of the CIA's use of torture. Bush reportedly told ABC, "I'm aware our national security team met on this issue. And I approved." Bush also defended the use of waterboarding.

[snip]

The American Civil Liberties Union is calling on Congress to demand an independent prosecutor to investigate possible violations by the Bush administration of laws including the War Crimes Act, the federal Anti-Torture Act, and federal assault laws.

"No one in the executive branch of government can be trusted to fairly investigate or prosecute any crimes since the head of every relevant department, along with the president and vice president, either knew or participated in the planning and approval of illegal acts," said Caroline Fredrickson, Director of the ACLU Washington Legislative Office. "Congress cannot look the other way; it must demand an independent investigation and independent prosecutor."
Isn't it up to the AG (none / 0) (#27)
by standingup on Sun Apr 13, 2008 at 12:47:58 AM EST
to appoint an independent prosecutor?  If so, I don't think I will hold my breath for Mukasey to take up the demands of Congress anytime soon.  It was very clear from his confirmation process that he had no intention of acting in a capacity that would put the administration at risk.  

[ Parent ]
Congress Can Force It (5.00 / 1) (#35)
by squeaky on Sun Apr 13, 2008 at 01:12:09 AM EST
A Coercive Congress also enjoys an enhanced role in initiating an independent counsel appointment because the powers of the Attorney General in conducting her preliminary investigation are severely limited. Under the statute, the Attorney General cannot convene grand juries, plea bargain, grant immunity, or issue subpoenas.79 Essentially, all the Attorney General can do is conduct interviews and take depositions.

As a result, Congress can play a major role in establishing the facts upon which the Attorney General will base her preliminary investigation. Carefully orchestrated hearings and a selective focus on accusatory witnesses could guarantee that an independent counsel will be appointed.80 Other witnesses who may be inclined to exonerate the executive branch official being investigated might assert their Fifth Amendment privilege, leaving the Attorney General little or no choice but to recommend an appointment. Finally, congressional findings may also compel an independent counsel appointment.81

link

Although I am not sure that we have a Coercive Congress today.

[ Parent ]

Thanks (none / 0) (#40)
by standingup on Sun Apr 13, 2008 at 01:20:08 AM EST
I wasn't aware of that but good to know.  I do doubt that the current Congress would take such steps in an election year.  They are too risk adverse to even take on Iraq when public opinion is in their favor.  

[ Parent ]
Thanks for that Pope story (none / 0) (#36)
by FoxholeAtheist on Sun Apr 13, 2008 at 01:14:25 AM EST
Squeaky, I'm rather fond of the title: "Does the Former Holy Inquisitor Refuse to Eat with Torturers?" If true, that's encouraging. (Maybe George Bush XV1 won't be able to stomach torture either.)  

[ Parent ]
Yes (none / 0) (#37)
by squeaky on Sun Apr 13, 2008 at 01:17:25 AM EST
It is a great title and quite germane. Emptywheel has a way with words.

[ Parent ]
I had the great pleasure (none / 0) (#51)
by Kathy on Sun Apr 13, 2008 at 07:50:39 AM EST
of a behind the scenes tour at the torture museum in Rome.  My guide was a very funny little man who was thrilled to point out this fact to all of his American friends:

The rack (which, as many know, is the contraption where you tie someone's arms and legs apart and turn a crank and it pulls the victim limb from limb) was rendered obsolete way back when a new technique was discovered--they would still tie down the "suspect" on the rack, but then they would put a hood over their head and pour bucket after bucket of water on them to simulate drowning.  

The best thing about this form of torture (which the Nazis used in WWII and were convicted of war crimes for doing) is that it left the victim alive for even more torture.

(as an aside, I was fascinated to learn that Hitler's folk used the guillotine more than the French did...)

[ Parent ]

Wow (none / 0) (#66)
by squeaky on Sun Apr 13, 2008 at 11:12:41 AM EST
Sounds amazing. I did not know that Nazis were also jailed for water torture. I know that some Japanese used it on American prisoners and were tried, convicted and sent to prison in America for the crime after the war.

[ Parent ]

Late Night: Factory Girl | 66 comments (66 topical)

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