Boston Globe: Congress in dark on terror program

[Eugene]

Congress in dark on terror program
Few briefed on CIA interrogation

By Rick Klein, Globe Staff | September 23, 2006

WASHINGTON -- As lawmakers prepare to debate the CIA's special interrogation
program for terrorism suspects, fewer than 10 percent of the members of Congress
have been told which interrogation techniques have been used in the past, and
none of them know which ones would be permissible under proposed changes to the
War Crimes Act.

Only about 40 of the 535 senators and representatives -- the top members of
leadership in both parties, members of the House and Senate intelligence committees,
and a small handful of others -- have been briefed on the past practices of the CIA
program, which permits more aggressive interrogation tactics than those used by
other agencies.

The lack of consultation means that senators and representatives will be voting next
week to authorize a program that most know little about, raising questions about
Congress's oft-repeated vow to increase its oversight of the war on terrorism.

-snip-

Democrats complain that the White House has kept most of Congress in the dark
to prevent any criticism of the program.

"They're saying, `Trust us,' " said Representative John F. Tierney, Democrat of Salem,
who, as a member of the House Intelligence Committee, has received briefings but is
forbidden to talk about them. "The president is perfectly set with taking as much
leeway as he can. That's his history, and it keeps getting us into trouble."

-snip-

Full article: http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2006/09/23/congress_in_dark_on_terror_program

[babylonsister]

1. This is such crap. Why even bother having a Congress if they're

kept in the dark? These folks need to raise a rukus about this. Il Dunce is NOT a king despite how he views himself. :grr: :grr:

[acmejack]

2. Voltages shall not be higher than 125 volts ac on genital areas

after all, we're not barbarians!

[OregonBlue]

3. Dems could refuse to participate in ANY debate until they have

been briefed and given written statements regarding the specific techniques they are being asked to approve. Do they have the guts? I doubt it.