DOJ Defends Torture Probe

[babylonsister]

http://washingtonindependent.com/60087/doj-defends-torture-probe

DOJ Defends Torture Probe
By Spencer Ackerman 9/18/09 4:15 PM


Just after the release of the ex-CIA directors’ letter condemning Attorney General Eric Holder’s torture inquiry, here comes this statement from Justice Department spokesman Matthew Miller:

The Attorney General works closely with the men and the women of intelligence community to keep the American people safe and he does not believe their commitment to conduct that important work will waver in any way.

Given the recommendation from the Office of Professional Responsibility as well as other available information, he believed the appropriate course of action was to ask John Durham to conduct a preliminary review. That review will be narrowly-focused and will be conducted by a career prosecutor who has shown an ability to handle cases involving classified information. Durham has not been appointed as a special prosecutor; he will be supervised by senior managers at the Department.

The Attorney General’s decision to order a preliminary review into this matter was made in line with his duty to examine the facts and to follow the law. As he has made clear, the Department of Justice will not prosecute anyone who acted in good faith and within the scope of the legal guidance given by the Office of Legal Counsel regarding the interrogation of detainees.

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And from earlier...:wow:

http://washingtonindependent.com/60059/cia-directors-tell-obama-to-reverse-holders-inquiry-flub-basic-facts

CIA Directors Tell Obama to Reverse Holder’s Inquiry, Flub Basic Facts

[BuyingThyme]

1. kcik

[derby378]

2. In other words, the AG considers Bush-era torture legal

The Nuremberg defense of "I was only following orders" is now considered legitimate. We are so screwed.

[babylonsister]

3. The AG defends a torture "PROBE". nt

[derby378]

4. Here's what I saw

...the Department of Justice will not prosecute anyone who acted in good faith and within the scope of the legal guidance given by the Office of Legal Counsel regarding the interrogation of detainees.

To me, that says waterboarding was legal. And I'm not the least bit happy about that.

[babylonsister]

5. Yes, but I'm hoping John Durham pulls some strings that just keep

unraveling. It's out of the AG's hands at that point-hopefully.

[derby378]

6. That would be wonderful

I'll drink to that! :toast: