Conyers "Disappointed" Mukasey Didn't Appoint Special Counsel for Tapes Probe

[kpete]

Conyers "Disappointed" Mukasey Didn't Appoint Special Counsel for Tapes Probe
By Paul Kiel - January 2, 2008, 5:13PM

A statement just out from House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers (D-MI) hits on Mukasey's decision not to tap Durham as a special counsel:

While I certainly agree that these matters warrant an immediate criminal investigation, it is disappointing that the Attorney General has stepped outside the Justice Department’s own regulations and declined to appoint a more independent special counsel in this matter. Because of this action, the Congress and the American people will be denied – as they were in the Valerie Plame matter – any final report on the investigation.

Equally disappointing is the limited scope of this investigation, which appears limited to the destruction of two tapes. The government needs to scrutinize what other evidence may have been destroyed beyond the two tapes, as well as the underlying allegations of misconduct associated with the interrogations.

The Justice Department’s record over the past seven years of sweeping the administration’s misconduct under the rug has left the American public with little confidence in the Administration’s ability to investigate itself. Nothing less than a special counsel with a full investigative mandate will meet the tests of independence, transparency and completeness. Appointment of a special counsel will allow our nation to begin to restore our credibility and moral standing on these issues.

http://www.tpmmuckraker.com/archives/005008.php

[EFerrari]

1. At some point I'm going to stop caring about the emotional life

of Congressional committee chairs.

[aquart]

2. Hold on. NOT? I thought Yes?

I am now completely confused. COMPLETELY.

[ORDagnabbit]

3. has conyers started impeachment proceeding yet? no.... pot meet kettle n/t

its all a charade by the single party state...

[madrchsod]

4. ok john here is what you should do-- call your leader and tell her

to get off her ass and start doing her job. nancy and crew need to put the screws to these guys and never stop turning them...

[riderinthestorm]

5. Wow. A Strongly Worded Statement. That'll do it.

Mukasey is quaking in his boots now.... :eyes:

[Elidor]

6. I'm disappointed that our party isn't all over the tv clamoring for a special counsel

The republicans damn sure would be. Where is the opposition?

[avaistheone1]

8. Yes, and there should be an independent prosecuter.

[Kablooie]

7. Oh hell, it doesn't matter anyway.

The best we can expect if a few minor CIA employess being convicted of something.

There is not one single chance in hell it would ever go any higher, no matter who is prosecuting it.