While Judge Jay Bybee has declined to speak before the Senate Judiciary Committee to explain his role in the Bush torture program, he is reportedly reaching out to Nevada delegation members to find an alternative forum “to tell his side of the story.” I discussed the story on this segment of Rachel Maddow’s show.
Reps. Dina Titus (D-NV) and Shelley Berkley (D-NV) have said that Bybee has contacted them through intermediaries. I would be interested in who are the intermediaries (described as former Bush officials). The New York Times has called for the impeachment of Bybee as have many lawyers.
Bybee’s tale is, in my view, one of the corruption of blind ambition. Like many conservative lawyers eager for positions in the Administration, he found himself being asked to endorse the very antithesis of the rule of law in order to be advanced as a lawyer. Bybee reportedly went to Washington to seek a nomination to the 9th Circuit. Former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales sent him to the OLC instead where he was asked to write his infamous torture memos. He was then given the judicial post. I do not know the man. However, the appearance could not be worse. It appears as if he facilitated the torture of other human beings — part of the price for a promotion to the court. Regardless of such alleged motivations, his acts speak loudly to his involvement in a war crime — and his unsuitability for the court.
For the full story, click here.
seamus:
’bout time you came back seamus!!
Seamus, Welcome back…
A letter writer to the Salt Lake Tribune opined that if Bybee had written a memo in favor of gay marriage, his LDS (Mormon) church membership would have been toast. However, since he wrote a memo about torture, his membership is apparently not in any jeopardy and he’s also a Cub Scout leader in his ward/stake (Mormon ecclesiastical units).
http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/ci_12318005
Just something to consider.
I think this _ss-clown should be allowed to open up to his “cellies” at the MCC.
You know they say down south, “When ever you have 4 Baptist gathered together you always have a 5th.”
Make that a Third on making Souter the Special Prosecutor.
Seconded!
Appoint Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States
David Souter as special prosecutor.
Mike Appleton
1, May 7, 2009 at 9:44 pm
“RutRoh, I’ve always enjoyed watching people as they whistle past the graveyard. If you think anyone is concerned about torture investigations dragging down a few Democrats along the way, well, as my mom used to say, you’ve got another think coming”
Amen to that.
For some of us the fact that some Dems like Speaker Pelosi might get the boot over this would be a high point of persuing a thorough investigation.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908/
Since this blawg now accepts video, how about those of you in the eastern USA posting the Maddow and Olbermann videos for those of us out west who are 3 hours behind y’all.
Thanks!
Dredd,
You are good, sharp even. That was a couple of threads ago. Are you a Troll? If not, I am sorry, in advance for being offensive.
Finally someone explained that disbarring Bybee from the state bar in Nevada has no effect on him as a federal judge for life.
And that someone was Jonathan Turley on Rachel tonight.
His official removal requires impeachment or resignation.
He can still be a judge in jail after disbarment and conviction until he is impeached.
But he would not be assigned many cases.
Mike A.,
Well said. These trolls take allegations from their Fox News friends and repeat them as if they are gospel. So sad. Instead of calling them trolls, maybe we should call them lemmings.