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Nadler Denounces Obama’s Failure to Prosecute Bush Officials For Torture

In an interview with Raw Story, Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) denounced President Barack Obama for blocking any investigation or prosecution of torture under the Bush Administration as inviting ‘tyranny.”

Nadler, chairman of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties. correctly said that the Obama Administration had endangered the very premise of the “supremacy of laws” in its refusal to prosecute Bush officials.

The Obama Administration could not risk a full investigation because the evidence of torture would likely have resulted in indictments of former officials, including President George Bush and Dick Cheney. Instead, President Obama decided to ignore our clear international obligations to investigate and prosecute torture — which allowed Bush officials to go public with boasts of how they waterboarded suspects and would do it again.

Source: Rawstory

162 thoughts on “Nadler Denounces Obama’s Failure to Prosecute Bush Officials For Torture”

  1. Mike Appleton–

    Want to write like Emily Dickinson?

    Step One: Become a recluse who wears only white.

    That ought to get you started.

  3. Buddha,

    Thanks for the information about Mike. He is sorely missed at the Turley Blawg. He will be in my thoughts. I’d say a prayer for him–but I’m an atheist. Do send him my regards.

  4. Elaine,

    Until we get the “Strunk & White: The Mike Appleton Funky Fresh Remix”, I’ve rather gotten a kick out of Karen Elizabeth Gordon’s two contributions, “The Transitive Vampire – A Handbook of Grammar for the Innocent, the Eager and the Doomed” and “The Well-tempered Sentence – A Punctuation Handbook for the Innocent, the Eager and the Doomed”.

  5. To All:

    I know some of you subscribe to threads, so I’m reposting this here just in case some of you missed it elsewhere:

    “Completely OT but it is news I must share and it is news that will be welcome by all regulars:

    I have heard from Mike Spindell.

    He is currently undergoing treatment and on the national transplant waiting list, but the treatments and the wait takes most of his energy these days. Despite his absence and in his words, ‘I look forward to the day when I can come back and take up the cudgels, the sooner the better. Please say hello and give my regards to everyone there and let them know I do think about them. Your Pal, Mike'”

  6. LOL. Thanks, Elaine. But I’d still prefer to be able to write like Emily Dickinson.

  7. Mike–

    “That blueprint is a hybrid, elitist religion combining prosperity theology with notions of American exceptionalism and free market capitalism, the beneficiaries of whom are, of course, the elect chosen by the Family.”

    “More coarsely stated, it is a deformed, twisted, self-serving form of materialism labeled as Christianity, a sort of theological circle jerk.”

    As always–you know how to hit the nail on the head with one smite of the hammer. Strunk and White would have loved you. Maybe one day we’ll see a new edition of “Elements of Style” with revisions by Mike Appleton.

    *********

    May I also add that these “family” members are also self-righteous and smarmy.

    **********

    BTW, Sharlet describes himself in his book as half-Jew, half-Christian.

  8. Hi, Jill. I think Blouise accurately described the subtleties. I think the club is a bit more restrictive than what you described. The Family doesn’t extend invitations to all sitting members of Congress for good reason. God has chosen the US to establish His kingdom on earth. That will be accomplished by a group of men chosen for their economic and political power (i.e., those with the requisite “leadership” virtues) and sufficiently possessed of fundamentalist ideology to willingly follow the Family’s theological blueprint. That blueprint is a hybrid, elitist religion combining prosperity theology with notions of American exceptionalism and free market capitalism, the beneficiaries of whom are, of course, the elect chosen by the Family. Its success will confirm the righteousness of those few who are invited to join. It is, at bottom, a religion of corporatism. More coarsely stated, it is a deformed, twisted, self-serving form of materialism labeled as Christianity, a sort of theological circle jerk.

  9. Jill

    Sorry, I missed the irony. Perhaps you are too subtle for me.

    I am sure you have proof that Pres. Obama is continuing torture and making more of a grab for executive power than Bush/Cheney did, not just making those assertions, and I would appreciate your pointing me to a reputable source. Thanks, Buckeye.

  10. Hey Blouise,

    Thanks for clarifying but honestly, I still agree with you and Mike A.! From everything we know, (which certainly isn’t everything!) the top people are fundamentalist christians. I’m just glad they do let others in and I’m expecting an invitation for everyone on this blog! Also, thanks for sending me back to the third party party!!

    Swarthmore mom,

    The christian crusader movement in the army isn’t just the enlisted, it’s the top people, both in regular, special forces and contractors. These top people are an interlocking directorate with the top people in the govt. That’s a disaster in way you look at it.

  12. Bob, Esq. one further question.

    How does a citizen of the great Empire State, a man well versed in the science of law and life, a beloved tactician of justice if you will. How can they assume the duck and cover/fetal position when, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
    Are being subverted?

  14. Jill
    1, July 14, 2010 at 9:25 pm
    Mike A. and Blouise,

    I agree with you. I’m not certain where we are at a disagreement.
    ****************************************
    Mike A. and Blouise,

    Please let me know why you disagree with me. I like both of you a great deal and truly respect what you say. If I don’t know what I’m saying that’s incorrect I can’t correct myself.

    ================================================================
    Jill,

    I’m sorry to have taken so long … I’ve been spending a lot of time on the “Oakland Police Announce They Will Not Respond To Burglary, Grand Theft, and Other Crimes” thread and the discussion concerning the CPP. You must get yourself on that thread and start contributing to that discussion.

    As to The Family … it is not really a disagreement so much as a slight difference in interpretation … a nuance of color shades … interestingly enough, we had this same discussion in both book clubs. I agree that they will take anybody who has power but … and here is the nuance … it is my opinion that only Protestants will gain full access based on the Calvinistic bent that I see in their core beliefs. That’s all. I guess it’s kind of like the question: “Was Henry the VIII driven to break from Rome by a lust for power or lust for a legitimate male heir?” Both are true and the only difference in opinion is a nuance of color in interpretation.

    Now my dear, get Thee to the thread I mentioned and join the discussion on the third party we are creating!

  17. Sorry I have Cheney on my mind every time the subject of torture comes up.

    [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MeKg3G2o8Y&hl=en_US&fs=1]

  18. Is there anyone more evil and amoral than former VP Dick?

    [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9sodIBh_pBs&hl=en_US&fs=1]

  19. Bob, Esq just described Obama, Pelosi, and Reid.

    Of course it describes Bush too, but he is not in power. And boy, did it ever backfire on him. He is a worm in hiding.

  20. Bob,

    I submit that it is rapidly approaching the time for the band to storm the bridge, throw a few people in the brig and a couple over the railing. As peacefully and democratically as possible of course.

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