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The C.I.A. Tape Affair

This controvery is taking on a huge life on the blogosphere. Read a round-up.

Previous Comments

ID
115966
Comment

And Bush has no recollection of seeing, or even prior knowledge of the tapes existence. This in light of the NIE regarding Iran's apparent halting of it's nuclear program back in 2003, and once again, of Bush's claim that he only heard about it the weekend before, is proof positive that the Bush administration cannot be trusted with our security. What is the CIA hiding on those tapes? Illegal interrogation techniques perhaps. And for those that feel it's okay to torture, just remember the images of those American soldiers and civilians who were captured and beheaded in Iraq. An eye for an eye.

Author
Darron
Date
2007-12-07T23:54:14-06:00
ID
115967
Comment

Funny thing is, it appears that everyone's on record as being surprised the tapes were destroyed. From Bush on down, the orders had been to keep the tapes in one piece. I know it's disappointing to Conspiracy Theorists, but it seems like only one person might be charged with anything at this point.

Author
Ironghost
Date
2007-12-08T13:45:55-06:00
ID
115968
Comment

i would find it hard to feel secure in any solid explanation for this story. The agreed facts are that there was a tape of interrogations involving techniques which some feel they might think is torture. This tape was implicitly asked for by the 911 commission when it broadly requested any documentation relevant to these interrogations. The tape was destroyed two years later. Where was this tape housed? How many people would miss the tape were it destroyed? Who would have to be informed in order to destroy the tape? What exactly does Bush know about what is going on in his government and how does it differ from what Cheney is privy to? Whomever knew needs to be identified and tried. Whomever was involved needs to be questioned as to the contents of this tape. The United States needs to confidently declare an unambiguous ban on torture...and identify techniques as torture or not without hiding behind national security.

Author
daniel johnson
Date
2007-12-08T15:17:22-06:00
ID
115969
Comment

[quote]The United States needs to confidently declare an unambiguous ban on torture[/quote] Sure... and how do you plan on getting information from terrorists? Ask nicely? Outside of that argument, I can't see why this is a big deal unless the Liberal Media is bored now that Iraq isn't a hot story anymore.

Author
Ironghost
Date
2007-12-08T17:05:44-06:00
ID
115970
Comment

I have decided that most of the posts thus far are thoughtcrime. I suggest everyone report for re-education immediately.

Author
Willezurmacht
Date
2007-12-08T19:43:26-06:00
ID
115971
Comment

If nobody but one person saw them, how can we trust that the CIA has a reliable system of oversight on any of its investigations, inquiries, or analyses of data? Is this conspiratorial thinking, or is it assuming that the CIA has a command structure? Those records are supposed to be maintained, filed and accessible according to some kind of bureaucratic set of rules & regulations - but if only one person was the destroyer, who does that person take orders from? Is it worse to imagine a systemic (conspiratorial) decision, or a rogue agent? We do need info on what the bad guys are doing - but intelligence experts of various stripes, including John McCain, convince me that torture only gets a subject to say whatever they think will get the pain to stop. It's not reliable for truthful information.

Author
footsy
Date
2007-12-09T21:33:37-06:00
ID
115972
Comment

Any background necessary can be found in the book "legacy of Ashes: The History of the CIA", it recently won the Pulitzer. The CIA is, and has always been, a criminal organization.

Author
Willezurmacht
Date
2007-12-10T10:17:01-06:00
ID
115973
Comment

The CIA is, and has always been, a criminal organization. *snerk* I doubt you could prove it's criminal.

Author
Ironghost
Date
2007-12-11T08:32:03-06:00
ID
115974
Comment

You are right, it is difficult to prove something is criminal when they destroy all the evidence. Go read that book.

Author
Willezurmacht
Date
2007-12-11T11:39:25-06:00
ID
115975
Comment

http://www.slate.com/id/2179593/ a brand new article by Christopher Hitchens.

Author
Willezurmacht
Date
2007-12-11T11:43:04-06:00
ID
115976
Comment

This is where I have to remind everyone that Christopher Hitchens is lacking in manhood. Carry on.....

Author
emilyb
Date
2007-12-11T15:57:26-06:00
ID
115977
Comment

Willie, destroying one tape isn't evidence of a vast criminal empire at the CIA.

Author
Ironghost
Date
2007-12-11T16:05:47-06:00

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