Who Polices The Police (the CIA IG) ?

By Big Tent Democrat, Section War on Terror
Posted on Fri Oct 12, 2007 at 09:15:53 AM EST
Tags: CIA (all tags)

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Via Spencer Ackerman, this is just rich:

CIA Director Michael Hayden is going after the agency's independent watchdog, Inspector General John Helgerson. Hayden wonders if Helgerson -- who is not appointed by the CIA director -- hasn't gone too far in investigating how the agency conducts detentions and interrogations. . . . Helgerson has for years been perceived as overly aggressive in reviewing CIA techniques in the war on terrorism.
. . . [T]he investigation, headed by Hayden confidante Robert L. Deitz, is now a full-fledged exploration of how Helgerson conducts his work. It comes as Helgerson is "nearing completion" on several reports into interrogations, renditions, and detentions, reports The New York Times.

More...

. . . Frederick P. Hitz, a CIA IG in the 90s, blasted the inquiry in the NYT:

Mr. Hitz said any move by the agency’s director to examine the work of the inspector general would “not be proper.” “I think it’s a terrible idea,” said Mr. Hitz, who now teaches at the University of Virginia. “Under the statute, the inspector general has the right to investigate the director. How can you do that and have the director turn around and investigate the I.G.?”

Who polices the police? Apparently, those subject to investigation get to turn the tables. Incredible.

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Who Polices The Police (the CIA IG) ? | 5 comments (5 topical)

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Goes to pattern (5.00 / 1) (#2)
by NMvoiceofreason on Fri Oct 12, 2007 at 01:15:53 PM EST

Bush removal ended Guam investigation
US attorney's demotion halted probe of lobbyist
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2005/08/08/bush_removal_ended_guam_investigati on/

Bush Thwarted Probe Into NSA Wiretapping
Security Clearances for Justice Department Investigators Were Denied, Gonzales Says
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/18/AR2006071800601_pf.html

The US attorney mess
http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2007/03/21/the_us_attorney_mess/

DOJ Threatened Retaliation Against Fired Attorneys
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/032107A.shtml

Records Indicate Graves Was Forced Out As U.S. Attorney
http://www.firedupmissouri.com/graves_forced_out

Former top US Iraq commander blames Abu Ghraib scandal for forced retirement
http://jurist.law.pitt.edu/paperchase/2006/11/former-top-us-iraq-commander-blames.php

DoJ Lawyer: Controversial Prosecutor Played Politics at Department
http://www.tpmmuckraker.com/archives/003081.php

MotherJones JF93: Shredded Justice
http://www.motherjones.com/news/feature/1993/01/pizzo.html

Aparently, our system of checks and balances is writing checks it can't cash.

How about (none / 0) (#1)
by andgarden on Fri Oct 12, 2007 at 12:02:31 PM EST

"who polices the police police"

Probably missed dozens more examples.... (none / 0) (#3)
by NMvoiceofreason on Fri Oct 12, 2007 at 01:18:43 PM EST

Dems: GOP Phone Jamming Case Stalled, Mishandled
http://www.tpmmuckraker.com/archives/002839.php

Do let us shine some light (none / 0) (#4)
by Sumner on Fri Oct 12, 2007 at 01:34:14 PM EST

In GrantWriting, they teach that grants should budget up to 20% of the funding to examine the project afterwards, in order to see if the project lived up to its stated goals and did what it set out to do.

We need to effect such a thorough evaluation of the DNI (Office of the Director of National Intelligence) at this point.

We should probably similarly evaluate the newly created Department of Homeland Security.

Evaluation of Inspectors General should be accepted practice, they should be able to stand up to that. If the process of evaluating the Inspectors General is used as obstruction, then that lends itself to even additional charges.

As an aside, I just love that CIA World Fact Book

: Obstruction of Justice (none / 0) (#5)
by NMvoiceofreason on Sat Oct 13, 2007 at 01:33:48 AM EST

If these people were properly charged with obstruction of justice, they wouldn't pull this crap anymore. To bad all the AUSA's have been so politicized and kowtowed that none of them could indict Charles Manson if he did it....