Democrats: CIA is out to get us

[kpete]

Source: Politico

Democrats: CIA is out to get us
TAGS: Congress, Senate, Dick Durbin, Democrats, Carl Levin, Dianne Feinstein, CIA
By MANU RAJU | 5/12/09 6:28 PM EDT

Dems, including Sens. Dick Durbin, Dianne Feinstein and Carl Levin, charge that the CIA has released documents about congressional briefings on waterboarding in order to deflect blame away from itself.
Photo: AP

Democrats charged Tuesday that the CIA has released documents about congressional briefings on harsh interrogation techniques in order to deflect attention and blame away from itself.

“I think there is so much embarrassment in some quarters that people are going to try to shift some of the responsibility to others — that’s what I think,” said Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.), who sat on the Senate Intelligence Committee and was briefed on interrogation techniques five times between 2006 and 2007.

Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin, the No. 2 Democrat in the Senate, said he finds it “interesting” that a document detailing congressional briefings was released just as “some of the groups that have been responsible for these interrogation techniques were taking the most criticism.”


Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0509/22439.html

[babylonsister]

1. Well maybe our senators will get angry enough to do something

about it. I guess we'll see.

[movonne]

2. I believe Dick Cheney has something to do with it....he really is an

evil man...he still has his fingers in the goverment....

[Jackpine Radical]

19. I don't remember the source for the info, but Cheney did leave loyalists in position

"behind enemy lines" when he left office.

[bdamomma]

23. Cheney's shadow government, he really is a vengeful man.

you wonder if he will orchestrate some kind of chaos and blame Obama for being to soft. Cheney is not well mentally.

[glinda]

29. Not just Cheney but the Bushies also. They appear to be operating as a separate

Government.

[Skip Intro]

27. Absolutely. First thing I thought...

[CoffeeCat]

3. When will the Democrats FINALLY realize...

...that the Republicans are not their friends?

The Republicans are evil psychopaths, and they will take down the Democrats, if it amuses them.

When will our Democrats quit cover for these horrible Republicans--who would destroy any Democrat
at the drop of a hat?

[Psephos]

74. You do realize that the CIA is majority Democratic, right?

The majority of the CIA *really* doesn't like repugs.

Not that they're exactly carrying torches for donks, either...their party of choice is themselves.

[Alcibiades]

4. It would be harder for the CIA to "get them"

if they were not complicit from the beginning.

[Downwinder]

5. Have to admit. I'd sacrifice a few Dems to take down all Repugs.

Now I'm sounding like a Repug.

[BluePatriot21]

6. If they were for torture...

then maybe they aren't Democrats at all...

Torture isn't a Democratic value, so why lose tears over those that don't represent the people of good America.

Impeachment off the TABLE??? We are not represented fairly are we? Is it really "We the People" like our founding fathers had wanted? The government is not afraid of us, something is wrong. I fear apathy and complacency more than anything.

[DCKit]

26. Not the same at all. The Republics would (and do) eat their own at the drop of a hat.

Guess that's why they hate the idea of evolution - they're the less fit species. At some moments in time, they may appear to be the top political predators, but they're not predators, they're parasites, and no parasite that would kill it's host so quickly, is willing to sacrifice it's own in the struggle and leaves nothing of value for it's descendants is viable. Besides, as far as sex goes, they fall into three groups: 1) Hate it, 2) Terrified of it and 3) Hey! That freaky shit isn't going to get anyone knocked up. What the hell is wrong with you? Since they don't replicate by division (as you might expect with a lower life-form), and the remaining 30% who are addicted to sex do so with unsuitable partners (same sex, children, farm animals, hookers, inanimate objects), their future is bleak.

Additionally, the average age of Republics is like what, 93? I would postulate that those who claim to be (R) and under 40 are gold diggers looking to cash in (the only other option is insanity). I've seen it with some of my elderly friends - it's a type they attract, like flies to rotten meat. The second the old guard is gone and there isn't another nickel to be had, these young Republicans will all become Libertarians and abandon any pretense at principles, morals and ethics.

Like the masters of the universe on Wall St. and their legendary greed, the Republics have no impulse control and their lust for power will be the end of them. Our job is to make sure they take only their own kind along for the ride.

[Missy Vixen]

55. Okay, this has to be one of the funnier things I've ever read on DU

>Since they don't replicate by division (as you might expect with a lower life-form), and the remaining 30% who are addicted to sex do so with unsuitable partners (same sex, children, farm animals, hookers, inanimate objects), their future is bleak.<

:rofl:

[myrna minx]

65. Your fantastic post belongs in a power point presentation.

:rofl:

[Wednesdays]

32. Yes, you are.

Have a nice day. :hi:

[FiveGoodMen]

67. "Now I'm sounding like a Repug"

Nope.

Some of the Dems are guilty.

A willingness to punish the truly guilty sounds nothing like a Repug.

[emulatorloo]

9. Well if Boehner, The CIA and Dick Cheney says Dems are "complicit" it must be true?

Boehner, CIA and Cheney are not exactly "Truth Machines"

Don't you remember Cheney telling us he had proof Sadam did 9/11 and almost had a nuke ready to give to the terrorists? I beleived he invoked the CIA then/

I wouldn't beleive Boehner if his tongue came notarized.

[Alcibiades]

34. Conversely, they don't give these Dems credit

for their role in torture, something they claim we should be proud.

Your point is well taken. The CIA is known for truthiness.

[villager]

7. Well, the CIA, after all, had a hand in "getting" a previous Democratic President, circa 1963...

n/t

[Chemical Bill]

8. Plus a couple of guys in 1968.... n/t

[DirtyDawg]

10. The problem with pissin' the CIA off...

...is they'll find a way to get even. They can kill you, and you know who I mean, or they can throw in with the Republicans to win the next election, say by bribing some country with military hardware and weapons to hold onto American hostages for six more months or so.

[RandomThoughts]

16. Anyone can do that,

Most of the time it only requires money.

To create a Bogey man out of unknown things only creates fear, and actually gives power to those few that might have ideas like that.

[glinda]

30. Yes. I think so also. Again I think they are operating as a separate Government.

[santamargarita]

11. 3 words: Dick Head Cheney

:nuke:

[pleah]

12. Stop whining and do something about it.

I won't hold my breath.

[HereSince1628]

14. Bingo. get off your ASS, poor babies.

Are you telling us you are to stupid to keep from being blackmailed by an agency of the US government?

Jeebus K. Rist.

[soryang]

13. Congress has no executive authority

This is a red herring. A PR attack without substance. Torture was already illegal.

Murder is murder. Rape is Rape. Torture is torture. You don't need a legal memo. Would you believe a memo that said murder was okay?

The justice department lawyers told us torture was okay. What do you think?

This will fool the Fox dumbasses. No one else.

[Downwinder]

21. Would you believe a memo that said murder was okay?

I have not seen where that one has been rescinded.

[RandomThoughts]

15. Most of the CIA are analysts

And I would guess most of them are citizens first and they believe in protecting America, including the laws that put people in leadership positions. There are probably some that believe in Cheney's dark side thoughts, but they also know they have limitations. Heck the NSA is much bigger then CIA, and FBI oversees areas of CIA also. I think this might be more fear mongering, or projecting an image of a power base that is not there.

99% of power is people thinking someone has power. And a few people can try to project that by small things, then try to make it seem like lots of people agree with them.

If a few people are trying to smear democrats, I would guess they are the bad apples, and not the majority.

[No Elephants]

49. Can you name many Democrats who called for an investigation? There was plenty of

evidence to suggest an investigation was warranted. How many Democrats in Congress even tried to initiate one? And, when Democrats got the majority in 2006, and Pelosi's first words were "impeachment is off the table, how many Democrats demanded an investigation before she cleaned the table?

I'd primary almost every one of them.

[RandomThoughts]

66. What does impeaching Bush

or calling for an investigation have to do with the CIA?

Bush 41 has been out of the loop for a long time, and I doubt Bush/Cheney was well liked.

The conspiracies are not from shadow government, they are from money back private sector, that influences some in government.

???? "I'd primary almost every one of them." ????

Are you saying if they did, then they would have primary challenges?

Are you saying CIA would set up primary challenges?

Or are you saying current Democrats need primary challenges for not investigating in 2006?

[bottomtheweaver]

76. Did you know Exxon and BP feed a puppy every time they poison a population??

That's right! They're just like us, only multi-billionaires.

:crazy:

[Robeson]

17. Truman's worst legacy.

[No Elephants]

50. Truman did not leave us this. Far from it. Maybe you mean, "Truman's worst nightmare?"

[tom_paine]

58. It may have been a mistake, like FDR letting Prescott Bush et al walk away from High Treason and

covering it up.

But it most definitely is Truman's legacy.

FDR lets Prescott Bush and pals get off scot-free with High Treason, then covers it up for them:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/history/document/document_20070723.shtml

Truman's legacy of "Bush Family Gone Wild":

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Security_Act_of_1947

FDR was one of our greatest presidents. Truman was a very good president. But anyone can make mistakes. And anyone can underestimate the power of Nazi and Nazi-like monsters, especially considering denial is likely one of the most powerful human drives of all, second only to sex and maybe not even second to that.

[RedCloud]

18. Since when does the CIA release news? Are they "outing" Dems?

Sounds like treason. Off with their heads, I say.

[glinda]

31. Can someone answer why the CIA operates independently?????

[defendandprotect]

37. Well, Leon Panetta is the new Director . . .

he's a former Repug -- and also resisted Obama's wanting to release the torture memos.

[No Elephants]

47. I checked his wiki. His overall record is not that bad. But, Obama hired him and Obama can

fire him. And, the buck stops in the Oval Office.

[defendandprotect]

56. Panetta may have been CIA all along . . . like many others who

eventually became "Director." Goss, to name another.

[jaksavage]

59. This troubles me GREATLY!

Why the hell are CIA running for public office???????????????????

[defendandprotect]

61. CIA are also our journalists . . .

If you didn't see my other post -- CIA was also supporting right wing elected
officials to keep them in office --

Sen. Strom Thurmond being one -- Rep. Gerald Ford, another -- !!!

Jesse Helms, Pat Buchanan . . . others as well.

The CIA worked all over the world post-WWII to keep right wing governments in place --
See Gladio/Italy -- where they resurrected the Mafia in order to keep liberals/progressives
out of office. Japan, as well -- many other countries -- Greece.

[jaksavage]

69. and the BFEE. nt

[catzies]

70. And to name yet another...don't forget Poppy. n/t

[No Elephants]

51. Outing Dems is not treason. Neither is torture.

[defendandprotect]

62. TORTURE is treason . . .

[24601]

71. Claiming Torture is Treason is Treason

And since the Constitution has a specific definition for Treason, we both are wrong.

[defendandprotect]

63. TORTURE is treason . . .

[JNelson6563]

20. Headline doesn't really match provided quotes

CIA is fingerpointing would be more accurate. Glad to see Levin speaking out on this. He's a good Dem who can play hardball.

Julie

[merwin]

45. I was thinking the same thing... there is no "out to get us" statement

anywhere to be found.

[JNelson6563]

46. Consider the source I guess.

:shrug:

[MasonJar]

22. Excuse me but how are Senators/House Reps culpable for not outing

Bush and Cheney on torture after briefings which were classified and which allegedly claimed that torture was being considered when no one is wondering how Obama is doing next to nothing to investigate/prosecute these crimes which have now been positively proven? (Dickie has been outing himself with his inimitable aplomb.) I am tired of hearing Pelosi et al get slammed on DU, when our president is letting this ride. The Congress never had the solid proof it needed to proceed without possible charge of treason, especially against such a secretive and unabashedly unethical cabal. Obama has the proof in spades; I am in a state of constant consternation that a person with such potential is taking the easy way, while the "road less taken" is the correct direction for him and our country.

[No Elephants]

48. Congress sure had the power to investigate and plenty of reason to know that an

investigation was warranted.

Maybe Bushco would have stonewalled, but that would have told the American public and the world something, too. So would the fact that at least someone in Congress had tried.

So, how come no investigation? How come the very first thing said when Democrats first got the majority in 2006 was "Impeachment is off the table?"

[Solly Mack]

24. Golly. I'm sure they released the documents in good faith

[Old Codger]

25. The Fact is

That anyone, and I mean anyone who knew about the torture is guilty of breaking the law, either before or after the fact makes no real difference. Also anyone and again I mean anyone, who fails to prosecute known lawbreakers is also guilty of breaking the law. It is required under international law and our national laws to prosecute, failure to do so makes them guilty of aiding and abetting after the fact, the justice department is guilty of malfeasance and dereliction of duty if they fail to investigate and prosecute lawbreakers... There is no way around it. No one has the right to give anyone else permission to break the law.

[Gman]

28. But it almost seems like an admission of guilt by the CIA

in a manner that says they don't intend to go down alone.

[Wednesdays]

33. K&R

:kick:

[bottomtheweaver]

35. It took them 62 years to figure that out?

Oh well, better later than never. Yeah, that's what the CIA is all about guys. Now GET RID OF IT. :mad:

[defendandprotect]

36. CIA was funding right-wing Repugs . . Sen. Strom Thurmond and Rep. Gerald Ford -- !!!

That's from "The Fourth Reich" by Jim Marrs -- a recent book --

Also, from "The Beast Reawakened" . . .1997, Lee Martin --

Those pursuing the Nazi cause and those connected to the racialist Right were

cultivating ties to the Republican Party. Senator Jesse Helms, would-be Senator

Oliver North, David Duke and Pat Buchanan were candidates who received funds from

these sources.

Martin includes a close look at Pat Buchanan and I will try to write that up, elsewhere.

Buchanan was pushed by the right wing GE for decades and is still prominent on TV!!!

[scentopine]

38. Leon Panetta - The Tortured Fixer?

(Note to Obama & Leon - this isn't what we meant when we asked you to get this g-d agency under control.)

I have been watching this closely because the CIA, like Wall Street, believe they are above the law and have become too big to fail (and so far two of three branches of government are in violent agreement).

I will never forgive our politicians and population for handing over unchecked powers to collect information on citizens to the CIA & NSA (eagerly helped along by AT&T). I just do not understand how an educated population, well versed in contemporary history, could be so foolish and spineless at the same time.

The CIA would be a great place to start laying people off and whacking back budgets to save some tax dollars. That won't happen, of course, because with wire tapping and associated powers of surveillance, the sleazeballs at CIA and NSA now have accumulated enough information to start blackmailing the sleazeballs in congress.

So now we all get to see the filthy, putrid laundry of the our feeble and dysfunctional government. If only there was a way to bundle up CIA, Congress, White House, AT&T, Goldman Sachs et al and stuff those cesspool breeders into a giant washing machine loaded with disinfectant...

[Waiting For Everyman]

44. This would be a good time to make them have a real budget though

wouldn't it? I think that alone, would do a lot of good as a beginning step to get them under some kind of lawful control.

Even Congress doesn't know what its spending is, yet they authorize the blank check. That is absurd!

[scentopine]

73. and the irony is

that most of these butt heads are hard line anti-tax right-wingers that hate "big spending" democrats. Obama is coddling them like spoiled little boys and girls. They can't hack it in the real world so they take their politics behind the curtain and spend our tax money trying to rescue the GOP and their fetid ideology.

[IndianaGreen]

39. Congress is responsible for creating such an abominable national security apparatus

going back to the late 1940s. So now they worry that the CIA is turning into a NKVD. Knowing something bad is going on, and failing to ask the tough questions, makes Congress a party to the crimes committed in our name.

Many of those in Congress knew that Bush's claims of Iraqi WMD were plain bullshit, yet they all voted for the war. I feel no sympathy for any of them.

[DallasNE]

40. Report Is Based On Recollections

And carries a warning that it may not be accurate. No wonder it is so vague. And Hofstra askrd for it. One wonders why it had to be put together from recollections. Could it be that the CIA destroyed the original logs along with all of the other stuff they destroyed. Now there is a smoking gun crime, but no, we can't have any prosecutions. We have to have prosecutions, otherwise the next time (and there will be a next time) it will be even worse. Watergate still haunts us because we didn't prosecute thoroughly enough. That was followed up by Iran-Contra, Enron/MCI/Arthur Andersen/Global Crossing, Jack Abramoff, Bernie Madoff, war under false pretenses, torture, Freddie Mac/Fannie Mae/AIG/Citi and on and on and on. Prosecutions are part of the cleansing process. It is past time to get on with it.

[The Backlash Cometh]

41. I'm glad this is out.

First, because the fear of this getting out may have caused them to help obstruct information. Now it's out and out of the way.

Second, so that everyone who sits in a meeting like this, will know that they should atleast state an objection when they have a chance.

[No Elephants]

52. Agree, but we are required by treaty to PROSECUTE for torture, not just state an objection.

If Congress did not have enough info to demand prosecution, it sure had enough to know an investigation was warranted. It could have appointed an independent counsel for this purpose only. Or held hearings. Or SOMEthing.

[orleans]

42. durbin should have a little talk with his illinois pal

and encourage him to get over this bipartisanship crap and start weeding out some bushies from various positions (such as in the cia)

[Waiting For Everyman]

43. What a smarmy stupid little game as usual from the CIA.

Go after their ass, Dems. Investigate them double for this with a microscope. And don't forget that worm, Goss.

[No Elephants]

53. No matter how bad the CIA is, that does not excuse Congress doing a bad imitation of

"I see nossing. Nosssssing!"

There were articles of impeachment all over the place alleging torture and war crimes. There were photos from Abu Ghraib. NO ONE believed Rumsfeld when he said the buck stopped with England and her boyfriend. and if they really did believe that, they are entirely too dumb to be passing laws. At the very least, they knew more than enough to realize that an investigation was indicated; yet they did nothing.

And P.S. they are still doing next to nothing. A secret investigation by Difi for a year?


I say, demand more of them today and, if they fail, primary the lot of them.

[AngryAmish]

54. The CIA is out to get Obama at least

Now, this is second hand blah, blah, BUT

I ran into a guy I knew two weekends ago. I asked about his brother who is a fairly high career CIA officer (stateside).

He said that the CIA is supremely pissed about the whole torture issue becoming public. They are afraid of their folks being prsecuted and outed. The CIA has decided that Obama will only be a one term president and is actively fighting him every step of the way.

[24601]

72. Sure it is, it's their Director Panetta leading the mob

No, the CIA has a tendency to go after those who go after it - they're not stupid.

[jsamuel]

57. seems more like they are saying the Repubs are out to get us

[Vidar]

60. Good call.

[newspeak]

64. I'll say it again

Obama needs to clean house on the CIA--remember when veteran agents (who weren't as loyal to * as the country) were let go, to hire * loyalists. That's what some of these agents are, * family loyalists (also, I think the CIA mantra is any corporation over country). They did nothing to protect us on 9/11--you can't tell me they didn't know something was coming down. He should rehire any decent CIA agent who was fired and replaced by a *-Cheney sycophant. If he doesn't, he's going to have problems, like Clinton, through his whole term.

And I believe some people have a very short memory--remember when the Downing Street Memo hearings, sponsored by the Democrats, were held in a fekkin basement because the repukes were in the majority and there just was no decent room left (of course they found room to have Loonie Moonie crowned) . This was testimony, proving that we were set up--lied to about the invasion of Iraq. Remember when the photos came out about Abu Ghraib and some Democratic congresscritters who saw the photos said they were horrible. How much actual power did any Democrat have to call the Republicans out? Hell, the neo-con creeps were strong arming their own people who wouldn't go along with them. How were the Democrats going to call out *-Cheney when the media was bowing down to their dark masters? The Democrats knew they had no influence, that the neo-cons controlled everything, including the media.

[katty]

68. cheney loyalists - sure smells like it

[w4rma]

75. Then Obama needs to quit coddling the SOBs and put some loyalists in there to protect Dems. (nt)