2/8/08

Mukasey Lied

I hardly know where to start today. Let's just begin with Michael Mukasey, who refuses to open an investigation into the CIA's use of "enhanced interrogation techniques".

He also refuses to let Congress see the memo prepared by the Justice Department which concluded that these "enhanced interrogation techniques" were legal.

They were legal at the time. That's all we need to know. Talk about your retroactive immunity.

Speaking of which, Mukasey also urged Congress to re-up FISA, including, of course, retroactive immunity for the telecoms. Gotta have that too.

You may recall that back in November 2007, Mukasey was being vetted to replace Gonzales as AG. Diane Feinstein and Chuck Schumer decided to support him, and Schumer expressed his reservations.

This is an extremely difficult decision. When an administration, so political, so out of touch with the realities of governing and so contemptuous of the rule of law is in charge, we are never left with an ideal choice. Judge Mukasey is not my ideal choice. However, Judge Mukasey, whose integrity and independence is respected even by those who oppose him, is far better than anyone could expect from this administration. He is recommended by and reminds me of Jim Comey, another Bush nominee who—while he didn’t agree with us on the issues—showed the kind of independence and integrity this department needs.

I would also like to say something about torture, particularly waterboarding. I deeply oppose it. I supported Senator Kennedy’s amendment in 2006 and am a co-sponsor of his bill in this congress. Unfortunately, this nominee, indeed any proposed by President Bush will not agree with this. I am, however, confident that this nominee would enforce a law that bans waterboarding as I hope it will.
OK. Well. That didn't work out so good.

But it shouldn't be surprising. Mukasey started showing his true colors by his second day on the job. Even though he claimed he couldn't possibly make a complete assessment of FISA or torture during the confirmation hearings, he somehow had it all figured out just as soon as he got in the AG office and shut the door.
Posted by at

2 comments:

malcontent said...

Mukasey just green-lighted the Congressional Kabuki Theatre of Democratic Impotence.

Dems can proceed with their subpeonas now that they know they won't be enforced. Dems will appear to oppose the president and the Executive branch continues unmolested like petulant royalty.

February 8, 2008 at 9:56 AM
A. Peasant said...

Good point.

February 8, 2008 at 10:28 AM

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)

legal mumbo jumbo

Disclaimer: The posting of stories, commentaries, reports, documents and links (embedded or otherwise) on this site does not in any way, shape or form, implied or otherwise, necessarily express or suggest endorsement or support of any of such posted material or parts therein.

Fair Use: This site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of environmental, political, human rights, economic, democracy, scientific, and social justice issues, etc. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.