McCain: Trump's CIA pick was involved in 'one of the darkest chapters in American history'

[DonViejo]

Source: The Hill



BY MORGAN GSTALTER - 03/13/18 03:15 PM EDT

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) on Tuesday condemned President Trump’s decision to nominate Gina Haspel to become the director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), saying she was involved in “one of darkest chapters in American history.”

While he expressed confidence in current CIA Director Mike Pompeo’s ability to serve as secretary of State, an appointment Trump announced earlier Tuesday, McCain said in a statement that Haspel needs to explain her stance on torture.

“The torture of detainees in U.S. custody during the last decade was one of the darkest chapters in American history,” McCain said. “Ms. Haspel needs to explain the nature and extent of her involvement in the CIA’s interrogation program during the confirmation process.”

Following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the Bush administration “squandered precious moral authority” to get intelligence, McCain said.




Read more: http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/378183-mccain-trumps-cia-pick-was-involved-in-one-of-the-darkest

[DURHAM D]

1. Doesn't matter. He will vote for her confirmation. nt

[deurbano]

2. Exactly my first thought. Blah, blah, blah, maverick, blah, blah, blah.... and in the end?

Just another collaborator.

[Tiggeroshii]

4. I actually don't think he will

He knows he doesn't have long left and his tone in the past implies he will have a backbone. I'm guess I'm hoping at least...

[deurbano]

7. I hope you're right. Hard to be optimistic given his own history and party.

[Tiggeroshii]

10. Yeah... basically fingers crossed. I'm also hoping our folks keep a unified front against her

[mountain grammy]

12. you may be right about that.. I hope so.

[Solly Mack]

3. Exactly

[dicksmc3]

13. You're right!!

McShame is nothing more than a lifeless republicon who is nearing his time on earth. So, he can go ahead and make statements like this to gain some respect from us that hate his ass!! He will do nothing during the confirmation process if he is on the panel.. SAD!!

[DesertRat]

15. I don't think we'll be seeing him back in Washington. nt

[riversedge]

5. The American Civil Liberties Union said Haspel was up to her eyeballs in torture, ...

We know Trump has a deep mean streak. Not surprised at all with this pick.



The American Civil Liberties Union said Haspel was “up to her eyeballs in torture, both in running a secret torture prison in Thailand and carrying out an order to cover up torture crimes by destroying videotapes.”

Progressive foreign policy groups are fighting back against her nomination, saying her direct role in the torture program should “disqualify her” from the position.

Pompeo committed himself to enforcing federal law on interrogation techniques during his confirmation hearing last year to become CIA director.

“Any nominee for Director of the CIA must pledge without reservation to uphold this prohibition, which has helped us regain our position of leadership in the struggle for universal human rights,” McCain said Tuesday.....................

[harun]

6. No wonder Trump likes Putin (former head of KGB)

[Doitnow]

24. Actually, Fake 45 loves creating misery for any group of people, especially the most vulnerable.

[pangaia]

8. McCain makes correct decisions and says the correct thing

ONLY when the issue is something that directly touches his own personal life experience.

[underpants]

9. But but she's a WOMAN!

I've already seen the memes on Facebook. "Woman hating Trump nominates a woman!!!"

[The Wielding Truth]

16. In every group of people there are good and bad. She is not good enough to be in charge of the CIA.

[SkyDaddy7]

28. Right!!!

And McCain had no issue with Pompeo nearly blowing a heart valve when he talks about how big a mistake President Obama made by ending the practice of using dark prisons to shuttle captives to & from while they’re being being tortured. And Pompeo’s objection to President Obama doing away with the use of torture.

...Obviously you have nailed it!!

[beachbum bob]

11. Mccain says stuff all the time and when the time comes...becomes trump's tool again

really dont care.

[FakeNoose]

18. He's too sick to travel

I don't know if Senators are allowed to vote long distance.

We have the technology to do it, but I don't know if his vote would be counted. If that's the case then McCain won't be voting on this at all. I think he's having a change of heart as far as the Republican Party goes, but I could be wrong.

The guy is dying, so there's no need to pick on him.

[DesertRat]

14. Meanwhile, his daughter Meghan will be defending her on tv

While bashing the Clintons and Pres. Obama, just like she does everyday on The View.

[Cryptoad]

17. word of the street is,,,,

no only was she involved in toruture,,,,,,, she enjoyed it ! She's got those batshit crazy eyes.......

[zentrum]

19. McCain also was involved

….in an appointment that was a dark hour in our country and also squandered moral authority: the appointment of Sarah Palin to be a heartbeat away from the Presidency.

Which McCain did to cynically pander to his base.

Obama has said that Palin set the stage for a candidate like Trump.

McCain didn't give a rat's ass for the welfare of the country in that decision.

[3catwoman3]

26. I will never forgive him for inflicting...

...that harpy on this country. Never! Her presence on the national stage has definitely made a major contribution to the coarsening of public behavior.

[zentrum]

29. Yup. Now that

…he's on his way out of power, he's starting to tell the truth.

I feel nothing but contempt for this man who deep in his heart knows better.

[yurbud]

20. when a warmonger's warmonger says you're too blood-thirsty....

[democrank]

21. McCain's position on torture is an honorable one

and his concern about the choice of Gina Haspel for CIA director is worth noting. I thank Senator McCain for speaking out on this important matter and for his sacrifice for this country.

[AllyCat]

22. And thats why you will vote to approve Senator

[NoMoreRepugs]

23. Disagree with the man's politics,

don't belittle his service and sacrifice to this country.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

25. Think the Senate will confirm her?

If they do it'll probably be because of Mike Pence casting the tie breaking vote.

[mpcamb]

30. Senator Chuck Schumer has yet to publicly call on Democrats to oppose Haspel or Pompeo.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has yet to publicly call on his fellow Democrats to oppose either Haspel or Pompeo.

https://www.cnbc.com/2018/03/14/rand-paul-opposes-trump-picks-for-secretary-of-state-cia-director.html?recirc=taboolainternal

We need to get it together and keep these poisonous people out of public positions.

[pansypoo53219]

27. the moron thinks torture is good. dignity is for suckers.

guilty no matter what if you are not white.

[duforsure]

31. What does she know?

Does she know of any mercenaries being used for the Saudi Prince paid by us to round up his opposition and torture them ? They should find out. That may be why she was picked if they are.

[Fortinbras Armstrong]

32. Here is the applicable law:

18 U.S. Code § 2340 - Definitions

(1) “torture” means an act committed by a person acting under the color of law specifically intended to inflict severe physical or mental pain or suffering (other than pain or suffering incidental to lawful sanctions) upon another person within his custody or physical control;

(2) “severe mental pain or suffering” means the prolonged mental harm caused by or resulting from—

(A) the intentional infliction or threatened infliction of severe physical pain or suffering;

(B) the administration or application, or threatened administration or application, of mind-altering substances or other procedures calculated to disrupt profoundly the senses or the personality;

(C) the threat of imminent death; or

(D) the threat that another person will imminently be subjected to death, severe physical pain or suffering, or the administration or application of mind-altering substances or other procedures calculated to disrupt profoundly the senses or personality; and

(3) “United States” means the several States of the United States, the District of Columbia, and the commonwealths, territories, and possessions of the United States.

18 U.S. Code § 2340A - Torture

(a)Offense.—

Whoever outside the United States commits or attempts to commit torture shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 20 years, or both, and if death results to any person from conduct prohibited by this subsection, shall be punished by death or imprisoned for any term of years or for life.

(b)Jurisdiction.—There is jurisdiction over the activity prohibited in subsection (a) if—

(1) the alleged offender is a national of the United States; or

(2) the alleged offender is present in the United States, irrespective of the nationality of the victim or alleged offender.

(c)Conspiracy.—

A person who conspires to commit an offense under this section shall be subject to the same penalties (other than the penalty of death) as the penalties prescribed for the offense, the commission of which was the object of the conspiracy.

[Fortinbras Armstrong]

33. The United States is also bound by an international treaty

The Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment

It's a bit too long to post here, so read it at http://www.ohchr.org/EN/ProfessionalInterest/Pages/CAT.aspx

It is clear that Ms Haspel is guilty of violating both US law and international treaty. Not that that will bother The Donald.