CIA Again Postpones Release Of Torture Report That Could Undercut Cheney
Yep, we’re going to have to wait still longer. The CIA has again postponed the declassification of a widely-anticipated 2004 report that’s said to conclude there’s no proof torture foiled terror plots — a finding that could seriously undercut Dick Cheney’s claims that torture works.
The ACLU, which is seeking the document, sends over a letter they received indicating that the agency has requested a three-day delay, meaning the report could be declassified middle of next week. The somewhat cryptic reason given is that more time is needed “for consultation within the government regarding any release.”
Translation: We’re still trying to figure out how much of this report we can avoid declassifying.
The report, whose declassification was already postponed once and was expected from the CIA today, was produced by the CIA Inspector General. It was already released to the ACLU, but in heavily redacted form. As the above demonstrates, the agency is continuing to debate how much it will ultimately declassify — hence the delay.
The report is called the “Holy Grail” by some Dem staffers because it contains a whole chapter describing the “effectiveness” of torture, which reportedly concludes that there’s no proof that info gained from torture ever foiled any terror plots. It’s also expected to cast new and serious doubts on the legality of the torture program — which means its release could fuel calls for a real probe.
But you’re gonna have to wait to see it. Sorry.
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What’s up with everything crossed out??? Greg…overly caffinated troll?
what do you mean, JennD?
hi-this is rachel, from whorunsgov.com, just trying to figure out if there are more tech problems going on…
fixed now? anyone seeing underlines?
All my letters are double! Oh wait, a contact fell out.
Antelope Freeway, one-half mile…
Everything looks fine to me.
All good now you guys!!
Ok, here’s the thing: If this so-called “Holy Grail” of torture said instead that it had been wildly successful, how would that change anything?
There is a bright line between legal and illegal. If I want to kill someone, and I shoot them dead, by god, that worked.
What the hell difference does this report make, besides ABSOLUTELY NONE?
Tena
In matters because we aren’t dealing with theory but real world attitudes. If you look at polling half of the country thinks torture is called for in certain situations. Thats built on the belief that torture actually works. Proof that it didn’t would, in my opinion, significantly shift public opinion on the issue and help push us towards accountability. At least that is my hope. Now I for on have been someone in the past that said we should focus on the illegality of torture also. But its apparent now that our feckless cowardly Democrats will NEVER move on accountability for torture unless and until they have the cover of polling data that shows the majority of Americans want it. It is what it is.
sgwhite – I get your point and I’ve gotten that part of it all along but to me it’s still totally backwards.
Half the country can poll in favor of elective murder – it’s still going to be illegal. Half the country needs to understand that expediency is not an excuse for committing a crime, dammit.
Tena — one other thing — this report is also supposed to raise serious questions about the legality of the program. So it could also seriously shift the debate about how/whether to probe the torture program.
Thanks for updating, I hadn’t seen this anywhere else. I’m looking forward to seeing Cheney’s bluff called.
Not the Change we worked so hard to elect.
PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION TO PROSECUTE
and Pass It On To all your friends
and all the groups to which you belong.
We as a nation cannot move forward until we deal with the criminality of Torture.
Obama and our Congressional Democrats will not be able to maintain absolute power unless they prosecute Bush’s Torturers.
PLEASE
SIGN THE PETITION
at ANGRYVOTERS.ORG
http://ANGRYVOTERS.ORG
God bless
.