Chris Hayes: Why Has Obama Done Nothing About CIA’s Bush-Era ‘Crimes?’

[alp227]

On Tuesday, members of the Senate Intelligence Committee accused the CIA of violating the law by searching through their files for details of the committee’s investigation into the CIA’s interrogation and detention practices during the George W. Bush administration. Some members suggested that the CIA was even “fearful” of what the committee might reveal to the public about those practices.

On Wednesday, MSNBC host Chris Hayes remarked that he found it shocking that two presidential election cycles have passed since Bush left office and still no one in Barack Obama’s administration has done anything to address the CIA’s “crimes” of that period.

“No one was ever held accountable for the fact that the United States tortured people for a period of time,” Hayes told MSNBC host Joy-Ann Reid. “And here’s what’s even more galling — not only was no one held accountable, we had an election in which this was a huge issue.

full: http://www.mediaite.com/tv/chris-hayes-why-has-obama-done-nothing-about-cias-bush-era-crimes/

[warrior1]

1. Doesn't he know how much this president is hated

[madaboutharry]

2. I believe at the time he took office, President Obama

sincerely thought he could heal the divisions in this country. I think the administration took going after the Bush gang off the table because they thought it would be bad for the country. I don't necessarily agree with this thinking, but I do think that is what was going on.

[RobertEarl]

3. It is not a conspiracy

It's something else.

Conspiracies are not allowed.

Sure, if it quacks like a duck it is supposed to be a duck, but this is bushco we are talking about. There has never been any proof bushco conspires to steal or cover their ass.

[ChisolmTrailDem]

22. Don't you know that there has never, EVER, been a single conspiracy, RE? nt

[frazzled]

4. For the same reason that Confederate leaders were not prosecuted after the Civil War?

Well, two relatively small-time Confederates were tried (and actually executed). But then a couple of small-time Abu Ghraib soldiers were prosecuted also.

I believe, as someone upthread said, that Obama felt that his Executive Order ending all such interrogation and detention practices was enough to mend the past, and that moving forward was the most important thing for the nation.

Hayes, by the way, is wrong that holding the Bush administration "accountable" was a huge issue in the election. No, the issue discussed was ending the practices of the Bush administration in this domain.

[MrScorpio]

5. Probably for the same reason that Bush did nothing about Clinton's "crimes."

And Clinton did nothing about Pappy Bush's, and so forth and so on.

Once you're in the Oval Office club, no point in crying over the previous guy's spilled milk… Because the next guy could probably start doing something about yours.

[struggle4progress]

7. +

[Dr. Strange]

12. I think you're right about that.

[Beacool]

15. And what were Clinton's "crimes", getting oral sex?

[AgingAmerican]

27. Yeah

And that Chrismas card list...

[jwirr]

19. This is what I think. No one will break the cycle because they know they are next in line.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

6. Some criminals are more equal than others. Especially in the eyes of other politicians.

[Jefferson23]

8. They don't like to go after their own, but this time, it may get too big for him to ignore.

[woo me with science]

9. K&R

[theHandpuppet]

10. The UN is asking the same questions

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024667571

[G_j]

11. Bush/Cheney crimes are what prompted many young people

to register and get out and vote.

...And people wonder why the youth is so cynical.

[AngryAmish]

13. Do you think Obama has any choice in this matter?

The CIA ruined Bush - see Plame. Is this an enemy the President needs?

[Autumn]

18. The CIA ruined Bush - see Plame. ? Please explain HOW the CIA ruined Bush.

[woo me with science]

14. He has not done nothing.

He is aggressively defending the criminals:

FIRST LOOK: The White House Has Been Covering Up the Presidency’s Role in Torture for Years
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024661845

The White House Has Been Covering Up the Presidency’s Role in Torture for Years.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=4662102

Report: White House shielding CIA from Senate torture investigation
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024653838

Obama knew CIA secretly monitored intelligence committee, Sen. Udall claims
http://election.democraticunderground.com/10024620624

Obama, the CIA, and the Limits of Conciliation
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024662844

Have *you* actually read Sen. Feinstein's complaint?
http://election.democraticunderground.com/10024653914

Despite Vows Of Help, White House Withholds Thousands Of Documents From Senate CIA Probe - McClatchy
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024653857

Torture Whistleblower: I got 30 months in prison. Why does Leon Panetta get a pass?
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024629995

[KoKo]

17. Good Info there!

[jsr]

20. Yeah, but that's different - because they made him do it.

[KoKo]

16. K&R!

[treestar]

21. this is black and white thinking

Cases may be tough to prove. Getting the evidence, etc. It's not like DU trial, where we can be satisfied of the guilt in general and don't have to really get anyone to testify.

[Rex]

23. I don't know why, but he should.

Before another Bush Era failure shows up to bite him in the ass.

[Jesus Malverde]

24. They are afraid of ending up in international tribunals.

If the evidence gets out.

[bemildred]

26. +1. nt

[GoCubsGo]

25. Because Bush left a immensely tangled mess that will take decades to sort out.

How soon people forget just how bad things were when President Obama took office. It's kind of hard to do something about dealing with a disaster when you don't have much of an understanding of how deep the shit pile is. Bush also left cronies "burrowed" throughout the government, including in the CIA. God only knows how much evidence has been hidden or destroyed by these people. Not just with the CIA, but with the financial sector, as well. I personally never expected Obama to make put a dent in fixing anything. Not because I don't think he's capable. I don't think ANYONE can, because things were, and still are THAT BAD.

Not to mention that a lot "crimes" became non-crimes during the Bush years. You can't prosecute something that isn't a crime, regardless of how wrong and immoral it might be.

[Iwasthere]

28. Well said

Much has been destroyed. History being changed too

[YoungDemCA]

34. It started with Reagan, if not Nixon

The cronyism, corruption, and criminal activity that has left a permanent mark on the United States government.

[valerief]

29. People with the power to do something can't because they'll get Kennedyed. nt

[GoCubsGo]

30. Yep. Then there's that.

Or, if not them, then their wives, children, etc.

[grasswire]

31. they should consider that before running for POTUS, then

Any dope knows now that a POTUS is going to have to lie about crimes committed by others or face the consequences of the Intel community or the MIC.

So why run?

The only person who could stand against TPTB would be a fearless man/woman with no family.

[woo me with science]

33. I don't think there's any evidence that he's conflicted about his role.

He signed up to work for TPTB quite some time ago, and he and his family will be well taken care of for the rest of their lives.

[DiverDave]

32. *Cough* Kennedy*Cough*

He aint dumb.

[me b zola]

35. K&R

[woo me with science]

36. kick