Top Republican Vows CIA Tape Probe

Hoekstra Defies Bush Administration, Pledges Investigation Into Destroyed CIA Tapes

(AP)  The top Republican on the House Intelligence Committee defied the Bush administration Sunday and pledged to investigate the destruction of CIA interrogation tapes.

"We want to hold the community accountable for what's happened with these tapes. I think we will issue subpoenas," said Rep. Peter Hoekstra, R-Mich.

The Justice Department has urged Congress not to investigate and advised intelligence officials not to cooperate with a legislative inquiry.

"You've got a community that's incompetent. They are arrogant. And they are political," Hoekstra said. "And I think that we're going to hold (CIA Director) Mike Hayden accountable."

Earlier this month, the CIA acknowledged destroying videos showing the harsh interrogation of top al Qaeda suspects. Hayden said the videos, which were made in 2002, were destroyed in 2005 out of fear the tapes would leak and reveal the identifies of interrogators. Hayden said the sessions were videotaped to provide an added layer of legal protection for officers using tough interrogation methods authorized by President Bush to help break down recalcitrant prisoners.

The House panel subsequently vowed to investigate, requesting documents and making plans to call several witnesses.

But on Friday, Assistant Attorney General Kenneth Wainstein and CIA Inspector General John Helgerson, who are heading a separate Justice-CIA preliminary inquiry into the videotape destruction, asked Hoekstra and House Intelligence Chairman Silvestre Reyes, D-Texas, to postpone the review until it's clear where the government's preliminary inquiry will lead. They said they could not predict how long that would take.

Wainstein and Helgerson explained their inquiry would need the same documents and witnesses the committee has requested.

"Our ability to obtain the most reliable and complete information would likely be jeopardized if the CIA undertakes the steps necessary to respond to your requests in a comprehensive fashion at this time," they wrote in a letter to the committee. In particular, they cited the committee's request to interview CIA inspector general personnel "because they are potential witnesses in the matter under our inquiry."

On Sunday, Rep. Jane Harman, D-Calif., said a congressional review was necessary because it was an "independent branch of government." She noted that Congress and the Justice Department have conducted many parallel inquiries in the past.

Harman said that when she was the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee in 2003, she sent a letter to the CIA warning the agency not to destroy the videotapes and "they did it anyway and they didn't tell us."

"So I am worried. It smells like the cover-up of the cover-up," Harman said.

Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., reiterated his call for Attorney General Michael Mukasey to appoint a special counsel to investigate, citing Mukasey's refusal during confirmation hearings in October to describe waterboarding as torture. Mukasey has said there is no need right now to appoint a special prosecutor.

"I don't have confidence in the president. I don't have confidence in the vice president. And I don't have confidence in the Justice Department. That's as simple as I can put it," said Biden, a 2008 presidential contender.

Hoekstra and Harman spoke on "Fox News Sunday," and Biden appeared on CNN's "Late Edition."

[j-whitman]

Get em Pete

[mcv57]

Lol, guess another politician wants some browny-points. A republican, ah, The Bushwacker is a republican. I thought they were on the same side. I already know where is is going - circular file.

[rowdytexan2]

One republican finally woke up and realized they don''t have a ghosts chance in hell of being re-elected if they continue to support the Neocon regime. When is his term up?

I always hate to generalize about their party, but when NONE of them speak out against this regime, it colors them ALL bad. Maybe there is one honest one left. We''ll see.

[rowdytexan2]

Oops...spoke to soon?

[heartlight3]

Congress should exercise their oversight responsibility and investigate this. I''m with Joe Biden. I have no confidence in the Justice Department and the Intelligence Community to investigate themselves. They''ll just say the same thing they always say - "there is no evidence of illegal activity", and nothing will be done.

[radiob-2009]

"I don''t have confidence in the president. I don''t have confidence in the vice president. And I don''t have confidence in the Justice Department. That''s as simple as I can put it," said Biden, a 2008 presidential contender.


Sad thing is the majority of America no longer have any trust in their government. This is evident by the lack of people who vote. What''s the difference between a lapdog for the golden elephants and a lapdog for the golden democrats?

[missingamerica]

I confess that I''m surprised; Hoekstra''s apparent "righteous indignation" would appear to suggest that there are a number of Republicans who have yet to understand that they were just the means to an end for PNAC et al.

[cofmanaaron]

The common republican voter needs to recognize the competance of this congressman and demand it from their representatives if they should re-elect them. A blank voice of OK to whatever a president does can never be healthy. I thought that conservatives were supposed to be about small government? Or are they the type of conservatives who think we should bring back monarchy and aristocracy? I''m still waiting on an answer to that.

[brianbwb-2009]

I thought that conservatives were supposed to be about small government? Or are they the type of conservatives who think we should bring back monarchy and aristocracy? I''''m still waiting on an answer to that.
Posted by cofmanaaron

The facts of recent political history (since Reagan gained office with his "trickle down voodoo economics") prove the latter, they worship aristocracy, and seek to codify it into America''s society.

Don''t wait for an answer, act in whatever way you can, big and small, peacefully if possible, aggressively if not, to prevent that answer from becoming reality.

[fairandbal]

There is a special place in H-E-L-L for the GOP congress who willingly did NOTHING while Bush destroyed the constitution with illegal wiretapping, lying to start an unprovoked war, and authorizing the torture of captives.

[Con Mohrat]

I am curious. Is this one of the Republicans who just help thwart the anti-waterboarding bill last week? Anyone?

[fiteit1]

How stupid can these two be?
Wainstein and Helgerson explained their inquiry would need the same documents and witnesses the committee has requested. On Sunday, Rep. Jane Harman, D-Calif., said a congressional review was necessary because it was an "independent branch of government." She noted that Congress and the Justice Department have conducted many parallel inquiries in the past.

All three branches and an independent counsel need to sit at each and every interview of witnesses, because they all four should be asking the same questions and the witnesses should only have to answer once. It will also keep from certain branches of government from compounding an obstruction of justice with witness tampering.

The Justice Department has urged Congress not to investigate and advised intelligence officials not to cooperate with a legislative inquiry.

This is a pure obstruction of justice and should be prosecuted. I know that if you or I were to tell witnesses the same thing we would be locked up so fast our heads would spin.

[Netterz]

Some small, basically meaningless employee will be blamed & all will be well again, same thing that happens everytime just brushed under the rug. Our VP shot a man in the face for gods sake, NEVER spent one day being investigated, or even questioned. They are the powers that be, above the law. Had that been Average Joe, and his buddy Average Bob who shot some one while target practice, he would still be in jail, pending the investigation end, charged with some sort of weapons charge, had his right to bare arms taken away, & been on trial at the very least, assualt w/ a deadly weapon. Not for the priveledged in office, they CAN commit crimes, nothing is ever done. Govts only purpose is to PROTECT and ENFORCE the constitution of the USA, NOT to do as the please, commit crimes, then live happily ever after with a free ride on BILLIONS of $''s off the tax payers tab, for ruining what was once the greatest country in the world. They need to get real,realize we are no longer the leader of the free world. They have managed to sell us out to every other country in the world.

[brianbwb-2009]

There is a special place in H-E-L-L for the GOP congress who willingly did NOTHING while Bush destroyed the constitution with illegal wiretapping, lying to start an unprovoked war, and authorizing the torture of captives.
Posted by fairandbal

I hope you excuse me if I am not satisfied thinking they might pay for their crimes in Hell, I want to see them pay on earth, I want their profits returned to the treasury, , I want their pre war estates applied to heal the victims, and I want to see those guilty of treason, war crimes, and crimes against humanity sanctioned now, not after some peaceful death in Dubai, or Argentina.

[bluestardad]

THERE ARE NO TOP REPUBLICANS!

THEY DO NOT WORK FOR AMERICAN NATIONAL INTEREST!

START WAR CRIMES TRIALS NOW OR SHUT UP!

[gramto7]

I am curious. Is this one of the Republicans who just help thwart the anti-waterboarding bill last week? Anyone?

Posted by Vet1971

He woted NO!!!
http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2007/roll1160.xml

[gramto7]

voted- even

[tbweb]

I am a little confused, when Congressional Committees request that witnesses come forward to answer questions, why is it that the Bush administration can thumb its nose at these request and ignore Congressional Subpoenas? I did not think that was even possible! You can''t get any more above the Law than that, just ignore request to appear, ignore Congressional Subpoenas! Don''t something suppose to happen to people who ignore request to appear before Congress, who ignore Congressional Subpoenas? How can you just say don''t investigate this or that and get away with it? What''s going on here? Our system of government is clearly broken. This should not be! No one is above the Law!!

[knyghtwolf]

Someone somewhere either made copies of those tapes or hid some that showed key elements of torture extrusion techniques that are just too horrible to ignore. I also think that it is possible that a more humorous aspect of this would be that shrubbie took some of the tapes to add to its kiddie porn collection. It would not suprise me in the least that King Pudding and Pie had a yen for children since they seem to not matter to the bush regime at all anyway. Wonder what kind of book it will write after it''s out of office, wonder if DC or Marvel will publish it?

[ddaymichael]

You would think that for no other reason than self-preservation some of these Republican parasites would turn on this treasonous Bush administration if only to keep themselves in office.

They have amply demonstrated that they have no loyalty to their country, their constituents or their political party, so why would these rats not turn on the captain (decider) of their sinking ship in an effort to give themselves more time at the national trough?

I was appalled when a bought-and-paid-for Supreme Court APPOINTED this cowardly, treasonous, chronic failure of a moron to be leader of the free world. How he ever managed to be elected to a second term is beyond me...even taking into consideration all the fraud, dirty tricks and fear tactics employed by the GOP (Greedy Odious Parasites). That time I was no longer appalled, just deeply ashamed.

[jjp735i]

Congress will either back down on this or find King George and friends did nothing wrong. They always do one of the two.

Congress does nothing more than seek out sound bytes for the media anymore.

[poopusbuttus]

I have to admit, destroying the tapes was very "Sandy Berger-ish" of the CIA.

Any-whoooo, I''m sure once the facts come out, there will be little done other than a few "Behind Close Doors" meetings that take place.....

[woodjd42]

A point being overlooked here is, Rodriguez is the person that destroyed the tapes. Now supposedly he was told by his superiors not to destroy the tapes and all these attorneys told him not to destroy the tapes. Then when hs destroyed the tapes no action was taken against him, not even a repremand. This fact gives rise to one of two things, 1. either the order not to destroy was given with a wink and a nod or 2. someone very high up, i.e. bush/chaney gave the OK to do so.

[mcvet]

I have to admit, destroying the tapes was very "Sandy Berger-ish" of the CIA.

Any-whoooo, I''''m sure once the facts come out, there will be little done other than a few "Behind Close Doors" meetings that take place.....


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Posted by poopusbuttus at 06:37 AM : Dec 17, 2007
+ report abuse

It''s really tough on you Nazi''s these says huh? LOL Anyone who is so simple minded to think that THIS is even simular to Sandy Burgers slipping some papers in his sock has been sucking on his Swastika WAY to long. By the way, I think you fascist said the same thing about Nixon when his investigation started didn''t you? Sieg Heil Y''all. ROFLMAO

[poopusbuttus]

It''''s really tough on you Nazi''''s these says huh? LOL Anyone who is so simple minded to think that THIS is even simular to Sandy Burgers slipping some papers in his sock has been sucking on his Swastika WAY to long. By the way, I think you fascist said the same thing about Nixon when his investigation started didn''''t you? Sieg Heil Y''''all. ROFLMAO


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Posted by MCVet



Naaahhhh....it''s not really tough on me at all.

Let''s see...the CIA tapes were destroyed. No one will know what was on them.

Berger stuffs documents down his shiit stained underwear, nobody will know what was on those documents.

Yeah, I''d say it''s pretty much the same thing...

[r9119111]

I''ve been reading a very interesting book in the study of Kinesiology. Kinesiology is an established science. The book is titled, "Power vs. Force." I thought these paragraphs to be especially interesting. I''m just seeking the truth.

Pg. 154
%u201CMany political systems and social movements begin with true power, but as time goes on, they become co-opted by self-seekers and end up relying increasingly on force until they finally fall in disgrace. The history of civilization demonstrates this repeatedly. It%u2019s easy to forget that the initial appeal of communism was idealistic humanitarianism, as was that of the union movement in the United States, until it became a refuge of petty politicians.%u201D

Pg. 155
"Force often relies upon rhetoric, propaganda, and specious argument to garner support and disguise underlying motivations. ...The principles that true power is based upon never require vindication, as force inevitably does --there are always endless argument about whether force is justified or not."

Pg. 155
"It''s clear that power is assiciated with that which supports life, and force is associated with that which exploits life for the gain of an individual or an organization. Force is divisive and, through that divisiveness,weakens whereas power unifies. Force polarizes. The jingoism that has such obvious appeal to a militaristic nation just as obviously alienates the rest of the world."

[cfin5]

I''m sure it came from the top to destroy the tapes. We''re not talking about a 7-11 employee grade dude here at the level in the CIA he''s at.....Rep. Hoekstra''s the man that needs to be "in the lights" for other "america first" republicans to rally around in governing up their own house,.....and better do it soon. Yet this issue ''s just a skeeter bite in comparison to SPP, NAU, et al, as this was the final straw for the (Americans???) in like House Intelligence Committee positions to be dragging the traitors to prison by now........You and I know *** well that that will never happen. They''re to yellow.

[brianbwb-2009]

I have to admit, destroying the tapes was very "Sandy Berger-ish" of the CIA.
Any-whoooo, I''''m sure once the facts come out, there will be little done other than a few "Behind Close Doors" meetings that take place.....
Posted by poopusbuttus

Wow, poop, you finally question something that happened courtesy of the Bush administration.

I guess it is a cold day in Hell, Michigan, as it should be this time of year, but are those pigs I see flying overhead?

[poopusbuttus]

Wow, poop, you finally question something that happened courtesy of the Bush administration.

I guess it is a cold day in Hell, Michigan, as it should be this time of year, but are those pigs I see flying overhead?


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Posted by brianbwb


Now dont get ahead of yourself.... Let''s let all the information come out first. Was this a single handed effort to destroy the tapes? Did this order come fromt he top?

Will have to wait and see. I, however, am not ready to blast Bush directly because of it.

[glossypan]

"The buck stops here", Harry S Truman.
"Pass the buck - keep the bucks", G W Bush.

[missingamerica]

Think your heating bills are bad now?

Just think how much the price of energy is going to go up next winter, what with all of the incinerators and shredders roaring along at the Vice President''s residence and the White House...

[formrusmcsgt]

Was this a single handed effort to destroy the tapes? Did this order come fromt he top?

Posted by poopusbuttus at 07:43 AM : Dec 17, 2007

Hayden said the videos, which were made in 2002, were destroyed in 2005 out of fear the tapes would leak and reveal the identifies of interrogators.

----

Did you read that part, poopus?

A decision was made "ostensibly" to protect the identities. That didn''t come from the bottom up.

Hayden hasn''t protrayed it as a "some guy took it upon himself" scenario in any way, shape, or form.

[sbb2211]

MCVet

"Anyone who is so simple minded to think that THIS is even simular to Sandy Burgers slipping some papers in his sock has been sucking on his Swastika WAY to long."

You are correct. What Sandy Berger did was MUCH worse. He knowingly went into the National Archives with the INTENT to remove documents that ARE NOT SUPPODED TO BE REMOVED. He then SHREDDED said documents, knowing that they are the PROPERTY of the National Archives. This by a man that was the American NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR to Bill Clinton! A man who KNEW that what he did was ILLEGAL before, during and after he committed his crimes.

Sandy Berger''s act was a PREMEDITATED FELONY!

You''re right, the two events are NOT similar.

[poopusbuttus]

A decision was made "ostensibly" to protect the identities. That didn''''t come from the bottom up.

Hayden hasn''''t protrayed it as a "some guy took it upon himself" scenario in any way, shape, or form.


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Posted by formrusmcsgt

I didnt say it came from the bottom up. I merely state that we should wait for all of the evidence to come out (or at least what evidence that will be released to the media).

Not saying this was right, in fact, They were apparently told NOT to destroy the tapes by several higher-ups.

Also, this could have been an attempt to protect identities by Hayden himself. In that case, it would be a decision from the bottom up (providing Bush didnt know about it, that is)

[formrusmcsgt]

He knowingly went into the National Archives with the INTENT to remove documents that ARE NOT SUPPODED TO BE REMOVED. He then SHREDDED said documents, knowing that they are the PROPERTY of the National Archives.

Posted by SBB2211 at 08:07 AM : Dec 17, 2007

No one can condone Berger''s act. But that does not justify this act, by any means.

The world doesn''t function on a "we can do this because Berger did that" basis for determining legality. Nice try, though.

The administration was under a court order to preserve these tapes. Willful destruction of what is to be preserved is obviously a pre-meditated crime. They CHOSE to ignore the court and destroy the tapes anyway.

If they chose to violate this law and accept the consequences for obviously doing so, you can bet there were other violations of law of grander scale that they wished never to see the light of day.

[cfin5]

*****VIRUS ALERT!!!*****......If you guys receive an e-mail that says MERRY CHRISTMAS do not open it! Even if it is sent by someone you know. Confirmed by SNOPES. Microsoft is saying that it is the worst one ever. It WILL burn your hard drive........I''m not an expert on this stuff, but a fella that I know is sent this warning to me and I believe him.

[samrensho]

Oh no, not another probe by a useless, impotent congress. Better to spend the money on some Viagra for yourselves.

[poopusbuttus]

No one can condone Berger''''s act. But that does not justify this act, by any means. Posted by FORMER

No one is justifying this act. I merely brought up the Sandy Berger point based on MCVET''s nazi ramblings....

[skyk-2009]

Yeah I know, lets just make Bush King and forget that Constitution. It doesn''t matter to Republican''s anyway. I have a better idea, lets put MORE Democrats in the Congress so they can''t be PREVENTED from getting to the bottom of these things... Hey better yet lets put a Democrat back into the White House and then we can all worry about Stains on Dresses. Wouldn''t THAT be wonderful?? Just think the BIGGEST problem we have is some MORALISTIC LOSERS in the Republican Party wondering who''s doing what after hours!! We should be so lucky again!

[skyk-2009]

No one is justifying this act. I merely brought up the Sandy Berger point based on MCVET''''s nazi ramblings....


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Posted by poopusbuttus at 08:26 AM : Dec 17, 2007
+ report abuse

I hate to break this to you but YOU are a fascist in every sense of the word... Sarge is right. You attack every poster who even thinks about saying something negative about the Republican Party or Bush. You have nothing good to say about anyone on here who has been right about this mess from day one. Now in my studies of History THAT is called FASCISM.

[poopusbuttus]

I hate to break this to you but YOU are a fascist in every sense of the word... Sarge is right. You attack every poster who even thinks about saying something negative about the Republican Party or Bush. You have nothing good to say about anyone on here who has been right about this mess from day one. Now in my studies of History THAT is called FASCISM.


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Posted by skyk

Sorry to break it to you, but contrary to your idiotic belief, I''ve actually agreed with a few liberals on here since I''ve been posting.

FORMER doesnt care for me too much because I expose his child-like mind.

As for you though, you''re just a tool for my amusement. A means to pass the time....

[cfin5]

"The two enemies of the people are criminals and government,so let us tie the second down with the chains of the Constitution so the second will not become the legalized version of the first." THOMAS JEFFERSON

[poopusbuttus]

Wow. You really think you''''re somethin'''' because you (think) you get the better of people on an internet forum. What a f*cking brain you are. Maybe they should let you into mensa with "talent" like that. Thinking you are this superior intelligence around here is like winning a beauty pageant at the county fair. The competition isn''''t exactly overwhelming. LOL



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Posted by rafterman1


Well, usually I dont think I''m better than most people. But, then there''s you people on here. Yes, I''m better than you....

[omega39-2009]

Yeah I know, lets just make Bush King and forget that Constitution.
Posted by skyk

Let''s keep the Constitution and make Bush the "burger king", his talents are far better suited to that endeavor anyways.

[jowand]

Destroying the tapes isn''t anywhere near as bad as Sandy Burglar stealing documents and destroying them is it all of you Demoncrats.

[omega39-2009]

ad articles in Salon by Glenn Greenwald on what a POS this guy is, and then ask yourself what motives would such a lowlife Sleezewad have for going after this story??? I can guarantee one thing, it won''''t have anything remotely to do with the good of our Nation.

Posted by veteran71

Well let''s not forget that Newt''s gang of merry men used illegally recorded calls from Monica Lewinsky to go after and impeach a sitting president. I suppose old habits die hard for said sleaze balls.

[l8c6]

They''ll all blow some smoke and nothing will come of it.

[clestes-2009]

Oh yeah, I can hardly wait to read the results exonerating the CIA for using torture and then destroying evidence.

You know, one has to wonder at the stupidity of making tapes of the torture to begin with?? Surely they didn''t think that this was going to be hidden forever??

On second thought though, maybe they are that stupid!

[l8c6]

The circle jerk begins, the "Republicons" will protect their own, while "Demoncrats" get further vilified. How about we both hold them accountable to the same set of laws, or does the thought of fair play scare all the right wingers who enjoy pointing the fingers at others, yet think they get a free pass?

Posted by Fornicario

Right wing "conservative" are conservative with everyone but themselves.

[simonsez40]

On second thought though, maybe they are that stupid!


Posted by clestes

If it involves the BUSH administration you can bet your life it''s stupid, not well-thought out or just plain corrupt!