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Flexible
Suburban Guerrilla —
... Glenn points out there’s been a disturbing shift in what prominent Democrats are now saying about torture. I wish I could say I didn’t expect it, but I did: ...
About-Face on Torture?
The Volokh Conspiracy —
Are key Senate Democrats moderating their unequivocal opposition to the use of torture or less-severe coercive interrogation techniques? Glenn Greenwald thinks so . In particular, he notes that Senators Dianne Feinstein (who is the incoming Senate Intelligence Chair) and Ron Wyden had previously insisted that the CIA comply with the Army Field Manual when conducting interrogations, and even co-sponsored legislation to write this limitation into law. Now, however, both are indicating a more flexible stance. If Senators Feinstein and Wyden have indeed altered their positions -- ...
Why is Bill O'Reilly Pro Torture?
Taylor Marsh —
BY TAYLOR MARSH
Here we go again on torture.
Last night on "The Factor," Bill had a very strange and wildly wrong fact free segment on the goodness of torture. His basic argument to challenge Rep. Eshoo, who is opposed to torture, was that the Army Field Manual won’t allow any "unpleasantness." That we don’t torture, but enhanced interrogation is just fine. But that Obama and the "loony left" won’t allow interrogators to do anything, once again, anything "unpleasant." ...
Senators notice that the boot stomping on a human face is Blue
Unqualified Offerings —
By Thoreau Greenwald notes that Sen. Diane Feinstein (D-CA) and Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) have started to “moderate” some of their previously bold and uncompromising stands against torture. No, I’m not blaming Obama for this, nor am I blaming any of my readers here (although once again I must state with pride that in 2000 I campaigned for Republic Congressman Tom Campbell in his race against Diane Feinstein, because Campbell was talking about drug reform). I’m just observing that when power shifts, some of those in the party in power will suddenly shift their stances. This should ...
New York Times cuts out crucial sentence from Feinstein quote on torture.
Think Progress —
On Tuesday, in a New York Times article on President-elect Barack Obama’s search for a CIA director, Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) was quoted in a manner that suggested she embraced “flexibility” in terms of allowing torture in interrogations. The comments by Feinstein, who will take over as chairwoman of the Senate Intelligence Committee in January, worried opponents of torture. But Feinstein’s staff tells Spencer Ackerman that the paper cut out a crucial sentence from her statement. Here’s Feinstein’s full statement ...
"Flexible"
The Daily Dish | By Andrew Sullivan —
Greenwald points out Feinstein's and Wyden's sudden change in rhetoric on torture: What makes this so notable is that, for the last year, Feinstein and Wyden were both insistent that the only way to end torture and restore America's standing in the world was to require CIA compliance with the Army Field Manual -- period. But as long as George Bush was President, it was cheap and easy for Feinstein and Wyden to argue that, because they knew there was no chance it would ever happen. As they well knew, they lacked the votes to override Bush's ...
Democrats Evolve Stance on Terrorist Interrogations
PoliGazette —
... Glenn Greenwald reports the inevitable: Democrats’ attitude about harsh interrogation techniques has changed now that their man has been elected and is about to assume responsibility for the continued security of the free world. It’s an unenviable job in many respects, in particular with regard the potential for being blamed for the 9/11, 7/7, or Mumbia that takes place on U.S. soil. Not coincidentally, Indian leaders are confronted with the same question. How hard should they press "baby-faced gunman" and murderer Azam Amir Kasab? ...
No Walkbacks on Torture
Newshoggers.com —
... Thank you, Glenn Greenwald, for holding Dem feet to the fire today. They have to understand that approval for torture - approval for anything more "enhanced" than the Army Field Manual says is allowed - is a red line. Cross it, and they will not only lose the support of progressives, in droves, but they will also hamstring Obama's administration in its attempt to rehabilitate America's prestige and integrity, America as seen by the wider world. ...
Palin's Gun Pin Up
Taylor Marsh —
... Much more from Wyden as well.
Consider this a free for all.
Stuff that gets my grouch on
BlueOregon —
... , Glen Greenwald (who I generally find to be a very good blogger) tries to say that Wyden is loosening his moral compass on torture. Previously, Wyden had said that the Army Field Manual should be used to compel Bush not to torture people. But now that we have a President with an actual set of morals who is articulating against Bush's policy--Wyden says that he'd like to give Obama a chance to put together good policy--within the limits of the Geneva Convention--legal, humane and noncoercive. The full statement from Wyden's office in response to Greenwald is ...
Wyden and Feinstein Hedge Their Bets on Ending Torture
Comments from Left Field —
... C.I.A. techniques ought to be made public.
Given that both Feinstein and Wyden had expressed unqualified support for banning torture by establishing one single interrogation standard for all government agencies, with that standard being the Army Field Manual, one has to ask why the dithering about it now that Barack Obama is president-elect and the legislation actually is all but guaranteed to pass?
Er, maybe that is why:
… as long as George Bush was President, it was ...
For Better, For Worse
N/A —
... For better or worse, we will now hear new thoughts on torture from people we last heard were firmly against it. New euphemisms will now fly to replace the old euphemisms. On the ground walking back on torture is like walking on a bed of nails. Feinstein is bad enough. But only if you give you give wide berth to the formerly honorable ...
The Set Up and The Sting
Taylor Marsh —
... I do. Because the trouble caused by cutting Feinstein out of the process on Panetta allowed an opening for critics to take hold and run with their reviews, which are becoming more and more negative across the traditional media, as I predicted. Additionally, if Rachel’s Wyden gambit is true, then why in the world would Obama apologize "profusely" to Feinstein, reported by multiple sources, with Biden saying not informing her was a "mistake." You can dissect the rest regarding Feinstein and Wyden on the subject through Glenn Greenwald, but however you come down the bottom ...
Reviving the Rule of Law After a Lawless "War on Terror"
The Reaction —
... Holding lawmakers accountable is also important. Congressional Democrats and Republicans alike have been complicit in allowing the law-breaking to go on. Late last year Glenn Greenwald pointed out the inconsistencies of a couple of senators on their stances on the practive of torture at Salon.com: "Why do Feinstein and Wyden sound much different on the torture issue now?" (12/4/08). To quote: ...
Obama Continues The 'Torture' Backpedaling
JustOneMinute —
... to backpedal from her own amendment after Obama's ascension made it likely that her posturing would actually become the law of the land. And now Obama, despite having campaigned on the position that the Army field manual is the gold standard, now can't bring himself to reaffirm that seemingly simple position. My guess - eventually and to much fanfare Obama will ban waterboarding specifically. Much more quietly he will allow other CIA "enhanced" techniques. AND ANOTHER NIP FROM REALITY: Gitmo won't be closed right away because, well, bad guys are being held there: ...
