Obama's CIA Nominee- Bush-Era Torturer?

[rachel1]

"Prior to President Obama's first inauguration in 2009, a controversy erupted over reports that he intended to appoint John Brennan as CIA director. That controversy, in which I participated, centered around the fact that Brennan, as a Bush-era CIA official, had expressly endorsed Bush's programs of torture (other than waterboarding) and rendition and also was a vocal advocate of immunizing lawbreaking telecoms for their role in the illegal Bush NSA eavesdropping program. As a result, Brennan withdrew his name from consideration, issuing a bitter letter blaming "strong criticism in some quarters prompted by [his] previous service with the" CIA."*

Obama's CIA director nominee John Brennan isn't getting as much attention as Chuck Hagel, but he should. Why would Obama nominate someone with a history in Bush-Era torture and drone strikes on civilians? Cenk Uygur breaks down exactly why.

*Read more from Glenn Greenwald/ Guardian: http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/jan/07/john-brennan-dishonesty-cia-director-nomination

[99th_Monkey]

1. Thanks goodness for the likes of Greenwald and Young Turks.

Jeeeeesus. At least SOMEone is still doing some real journalism, that puts
things in the context of history and exposes illegality, death-dealing, duplicity,
deceit and bad appointments and/or policies WHEREVER they come from, even
POTUS's bully pulpit.

[Downwinder]

2. I think I have run out of hope. Can I die now?

[marasinghe]

3. deafening silence from the stalwart Progressives, i see.

http://www.commondreams.org/view/2013/01/07-8

http://www.commondreams.org/view/2013/01/08-1

[rhett o rick]

4. Why am I not surprised? We are totally screwed. nm

[jjewell]

5. The only thing worse than the Obama's Presidency...

...is the devastating potential of a McCain or Romney Presidency. When the rubber hits the road; Guantanamo, Wire Tapping, Wall Street Malfeasance, Single Payer Health Care, etc., etc. etc., Obama either displays the backbone of boiled spaghetti, or he's pulling this crap on purpose. I expect the same with the upcoming "Debt Ceiling 'negotiations'".

The Republican, Bush Era retread, "Dr. Drone" for CIA Director? Wonderful... And why does the "Man Who Killed Bin Laden" need to prove his "strong on defense" bona fides to the GOP by nominating a Republican as his Secretary of Defense? Are there no Democrats this Democratic President can find that are qualified for these positions? Has a Republican President ever nominated a Democrat as his Secretary of Defense or CIA Director??

The only thing saving Obama's Presidency is the absolutely incredible, venal stupidity of the House Republicans, and the refusal of Progressive Democrats to call him to task when that needs to be done.

Thank God for Greenwald and Cenk.

I will continue to vote Democratic, but only because I have no other realistic choice...