The Torture Investigation Mystery Show

So there’s been a lot of speculation in blogtopia about Attorney General Eric Holder’s reportedly renewed intentions of appointing a special prosecutor to investigate the authorization and use of torture in the previous administration. The speculation — which revolves around the question of...

Count the Strawmen

I count five, stated in various ways (listed under video). [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AaPzaYlPyP8[/youtube] 1. The Democrats still want to blame the Bush administration for the economy. 2. The Democrats want to dismantle the CIA. 3. Nancy Pelosi is looking for political cover. 4. It’s not...

The IG Warrantless Surveillance Report

Here is a roundup of commentary about the report (h/t Glenn), which came out on Friday. First, what it is — and is not: The 2008 legislation that “amended” the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) — which in reality simply codified all of the illegal activity that the Bush...

Obama Official Claims Post-Acquittal Right to Detain

I suppose I have to get used to maintaining a nothing-surprises-me attitude toward the Obama administration when it comes to anything related to civil liberties or human rights — just as I had to during the previous administration. Spencer Ackerman has the latest example of that truth: Defense...

Bush Says the World Still Respects U.S. Moral Authority

Surprised? President Bush this morning declared emphatically that “most people around the world, they respect America,” strongly disagreeing with the idea that the country’s moral standing suffered during his time in office. He said he did what he thought was right in facing crises from...

The Torture Regime

With Obama putting a priority on shutting down Guantanamo, rumors flying around about George W. Bush planning a sweeping pardon for everyone in his administration who took part in, planned, or knew about his torture regime; and the possibility of president-elect Obama authorizing a “truth and...