CQ TODAY ONLINE NEWS
– LEGAL AFFAIRS
Feb. 9, 2009 – 1:03 p.m.
Leahy Wants `Truth Commission’ To Examine Bush Administration
By Seth Stern, CQ Staff
Sen. Patrick J. Leahy , D-Vt., proposed Monday the creation of an independent commission to examine alleged wrongdoing during the Bush administration.
Leahy, the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, gave few details about what form such a commission might take in a speech at Georgetown University but proposed investigating everything from the Bush administration’s detainee and interrogation policies to the war in Iraq and the firing of U.S. Attorneys. He also suggested such a commission should examine instances “where oversight committees were lied to.”
Leahy suggested those who testified before such a commission could receive immunity against prosecution as a way to encourage people “to come forward and share their knowledge.”
“We need to come to a shared understanding of the failures of the recent past,” Leahy said.
Leahy said he wanted to find a “middle ground to find the truth” and thus positioned himself in the center of the ongoing debate among Democrats about whether to investigate the Bush administration’s decisions. President Obama has signaled he doesn’t necessarily want to delve into the actions of his predecessor while Leahy’s counterpart in the House, John Conyers Jr. , D-Mich., has introduced legislation (
Leahy cited as potential models the Church Commission of the 1970s, which investigated illegal intelligence gathering activities, or South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission established to examine that nation’s apartheid-era government. Leahy said the 9/11 Commission, with its membership appointed by both the legislative and executive branches, is also another potential model though he said he was concerned that it was ultimately “stonewalled by the administration.”
“We need to be able to read the page before we turn the page,” Leahy said.
Comments
Why wouldn't we pursue the Bush administration for crimes committed? Are men and women who dilute constitutional protections in the name of politics any less guilty than any other lawbreaker? Is George W. Bush not guilty of committing war crimes by promoting and authorizing torture simply because he happened to be President of the United States when those crimes were committed? Is Dick Cheney any less culpable than anyone prosecuted by the United States after World War II as a war criminal because they promoted, authorized, or participated in waterboarding? I think not. How about you?
The people of the United States deserve to know that this country holds members of the former administration accountable to the rule of law. The past administration made a mockery of our Constitution. George Bush and Dick Cheney fully deserve to be prosecuted for war crimes. Only when justice has been done can we hold our head high to the rest of the world.
What crime was committed? What constitutional right was diluted? What torture did he authorize? What is it with you guys after you win? Move On! Get Over It! Get a Life!
Something should be done
Along with the Execs of the financial firms, Sen Leahy is out of touch with what is happening on Main Street. Get back to the business of getting us out of this economic mess that you helped create.
Cool....a new Salem Witch trials! What's up with the liberals in this country. It's not enough to hoodwink the country into winning now you have to persecute those who you do not agree with. Some "change," some "hope!"
How about a truth commission for Barry Soetoro (alias Barack Obama). Maybe Leahy should clean at the skeletons in his own party's closet before he worries about those in the Republican Party's closet. Maybe Leahy could find an answer for the quetion of Soetoro's citizenship!!!
By Eliot Bernstein (not verified) on 02/10/09 6:35 am Jus Cogens - Laws that cannot be broken even by Presidents, like slavery, torture, etc. Nobody is above laws. Hitler could have claimed he and Nazi criminals should not have been tried as they too were above law or following orders. These clowns all need to be tried, not just Bush, Cheney, Rummy, etc. but everyone in the House and Senate, Repub and Dem that supported torture, false wars and the ruining of America. Then a nice RICO for the financial crimes they are committing and take back the stolen american assets. Time for a Pitchfork Revolution to this CFR and Skull and Bones group of pirates and criminals. The USA will remain Nazi America until such time that we cleanse the stain through trials with prosecution no matter who is involved, NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW, there is no BUT as Obama would have it, there is no future for our children without it. So far, it seems more of the same from our new administration, little more than lip service about investigations and NO CHANGE. America you have been fooled again, welcome to the New Workd Order of the Elite where your children will be living in an induced depression while these spoiled ivy league guppies live high off the hog. When floods come, they will let you float to the ceilings and then ship you off with one way tickets perhaps to Gitmoschwitz. They have seized our government, remember what the constitution demands we the PEOPLE do when our government corrupts. We need to start marching on washington with our forks and demanding answers from our politicians. We must demand that they belong to no cults http://www.iviewit.tv/senatecultbill.htm or we are dooomed. Eliot Bernstein Iviewit Founder and Inventor www.iviewit.tv iviewit@iviewit.tv
Looks like the fascists are going to start the purge. Welcome to the new America.
Add to the list those responsible for the Office of Special Projects and the "created intelligence" manufactured to support the administration's policy decision to invade Iraq. Add Paul Wolfowitz and Daniel Feith, and the Defense Department/Pentagon war mongers and those too afraid of Rumsfeld-Cheney-Bush to stand up and protest. The true patriots resigned or were pushed out of the Pentagon. At least Obama's brought back Shinseki. But let's get the guys who broke our laws and tried to undermine our Constitution and "We, the People."
lets have Leahy's Truth Commission look at: -Obama promises no lobbyists working at the White House (Solis plus ten others) -Daschle, Rangle and Geither's tax fraud -Eric Holder's pardon of Rich and a slew of convicted terrorists -Obama, for his continuation of the same Bush policies you are all so eager to try Bush for, i.e. FISA to continue, Guantanamo to remain open, torture when necessary, rendition if necessary, Patriot Act to remain in force. All these so called violations of the constitution are to remain in place for Obama, start writing the charges cuz he's next.
Enough all ready! I will take a Pres who will put the safety and concerns of America's safety - a Pres who makes a promise and keeps it instead of putting the concerns of how "history" will portray him. At least Bush did the things he did for the protection of this country (some of which are extremely ungrateful) as oppose to Clinton who's main concerns was getting personal pleasure under the desk and if history would praise him. The 10 years we spent with Clinton were embarrassing. Hard line Liberals amaze me - the worst 2 faced bunch people I ever meet. But remember this Pres Obama is going to have a lot of tough choices to make over the next 4 years - if you pursue Bush - it leave the door open for "hind sight" on the Obama administration (which is already shaky as best). Do you really want to open that can of worms - If so I can guarantee none of us will forget when it's the big "O"'s turn to leave office and face the inquiries into his decisions.
Obama said,"no one is above the law" SO Congress must demand & the Justice Dept must appoint a Special Prosecutor with Subpoena Powers & authority to indict all found to have violated Federal Laws, Constitution or Geneva Convention on Torture. The State of Limitations starts to run out in March. Prosecution will stop unnecessary wars & damage to our economy caused by presidential lies & Abuse Of Power. Bush & Cheney confessed that they ordered torture. Sen. Leahy & Rep. John Conyers' "commissions" will be nothing but a white wash and a burial for all time of the true facts. Sign the Petition To Prosecute at http://IndictBushNow.org Have your local progressive group Endorse this Letter to Attorney General Holder http://ProsecuteBushCheney.org Prosecute so our 30,000+ US Soldiers who were killed or maimed have not suffered in vain
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