Mukasey Hedges On Torture Question

New York Times:

President Bush's nominee for attorney general, Michael B. Mukasey, declined Thursday to say if he considered harsh interrogation techniques like waterboarding, which simulates drowning, to constitute torture or to be illegal if used on terrorism suspects.

On the second day of confirmation hearings before the Senate Judiciary Committee, Mr. Mukasey went further than he had the day before in arguing that the White House had constitutional authority to act beyond the limits of laws enacted by Congress, especially when it came to national defense.

Read the whole story: New York Times

Comments

[AttentionEarthlings]

03:48 PM on 10/19/2007

There is no torture without severe pain or organ failure. Fortunately, a definition permitting all concerned parents the leeway to waterboard teenagers, Republicans, and Fox viewers to ascertain their loyalty to The Homeland

[fourex]

01:05 PM on 10/19/2007

I was tortured just listening to him. Thanks, Charles Schumer, Dem. NY.

Vote in the primaries.

[facilitator]

12:37 PM on 10/19/2007

Well folks repressing of free speech seems to be happening as we speak. Is it a coincidence that both our website calling for Bush to resign has suddenly become difficult or impossible to pull up AND our internet radio station under a completely different provider was unavailable all day yesterday? Paranoid? Not really. Surprised? Not really. Concerned about the future of our country? Definately.

[PollM]

12:27 PM on 10/19/2007

.
Just come out publicly and endorse the truth, it seem so disingenuous. Let people know your real position.

Would the nomination of Michael Mukasey be an explicit approval of torture?
-----> http://www.youpolls.com/details.asp?pid=746
.

[facilitator]

12:12 PM on 10/19/2007

OMG he's been Gonzalesized. How disappointing that someone who sounded so bright and promising and have such integrity on one day becomes transformed overnight into a puppet clone. Check him off of the list...can't be trusted now. This administration has a way of attracting liers or turning them into liers, as in General Powell. How embarrassing for this seemingly fine person. Bush and Cheney are so evil that thinking about this man's reputation being trashed in the twinkle of an eye almost triggers my gag reflect. Prepare for Monday, Nov. 5, 2007.

[Canukistani]

11:56 AM on 10/19/2007

If these guys thought that what they were doing was the right thing to do they wouldn't be doing so complicated a dance around it. And nevermind the story about keeping the enemy from finding out about it. They know already.

When the whole truth of this comes out, and it almost always does with these things, it will probably be far worse than anyone expects. It almost always is.

[mellene]

11:28 AM on 10/19/2007

I heard Mukasey's response to Whitehouse. There should be no hesitation in saying that waterboarding is torture. I believe someone in the administration got to him after his more open response the previous day.

[Veleria29]

11:32 AM on 10/19/2007

I also believe that someone from the white House got to him. This prooves that he is just another Gonzalles with a different name bought and paid for by Bush etc. The only one this man will represent is Bush the American people will not enter into the equation when he makes a decision. He should never be confirmed.

[nomoredead]

11:41 AM on 10/19/2007

google "Frontline Cheneys Law" watch and see what this guys all about.

[Ammobob]

11:04 AM on 10/19/2007

He didn't 'hedge' on torture. He stated torture was against U.S. Law and pretty much challenged Senators to 'define' torture. It's their jobs, not his. If the Senate won't outlaw 'waterboarding' specifically, then how can he say this is torture and thus, against the law?

[Jeff1958]

12:02 PM on 10/19/2007

Oh, come on. Your comment suggests that torture is a new concept and needs a definition. I'm pretty sure the CIA, FBI, numerous police departments, the State Department, the UN, Geneva Conventions and a host of other organizations already have definitions of torture. Of course he 'hedged' on torture.

To you and your ilk, if the Senate specifically outlawed 'waterboarding' then you'd simply start calling it by another name and claim ignorance.

[Ammobob]

02:16 PM on 10/19/2007

Torture is a subjective term open to many interpretations. DEFINE it. GC doesn't, even our own Constitution doesn't define 'cruel and unusual punishment' It's left to the legislature, then the courts.

He is a 'political appointee'. The AG serves at the pleasure of the President. He doesn't make laws, he enforces them.

[MikeDu]

12:20 PM on 10/19/2007

For him to say 'torture' is against the law but not commit on the meaning of the word is a perverse rip-off of Clinton's line on what the meaning of 'is' is. Bush had taken it upon himself to 'officially' redefine the word 'torture' beyond all recognition. After he leaves office we'll probably also find memos redefining the words 'incompetent', 'criminal', 'stupid' and 'treasonous' too.

You believe the Senate has to outlaw waterboarding specifically? Do they have to come up with as many outlandish torture techniques as they can think of and outlaw each one-at-a-time? Sorry, Senate didn't *specifically* outlaw whacking your genitals with a cricket bat so you're out of luck.

[Ammobob]

02:17 PM on 10/19/2007

Wrong again. He doesn't have to define torture. He enforces the laws of the land. Legislatures make law, courts(judges) should interpret them. Which generally leads to subjective judgements.

[MikeDu]

10:43 AM on 10/19/2007

How many times have we heard 'consensus candidate' and 'bipartisan support' reports about these Bush appointment turkeys? And when have they ever behaved themselves after gaining office? I heard the Mukasey rsponse on the radio and it sounded like the same Bush admin bull. Tell them what they want to hear, but don't actually commit yourself to anything. Simulated drowning is so obviously torture, what other function does it have? For him to parse his sentences so carefully on simulated drowning to keep the door open on the practice is reprehensible.

[JoJoGunner]

09:43 AM on 10/19/2007

Doofus Dubya: "Shall I hook the elcetrodes up to this Geehaddys' goonads Lord Jayzus???"

Jayzus Kraust: "Yeah Dubya - fry them fuzzies and then les give'em a barbed wire and fence post enema! Hardy-har-har!"

[JaneC]

09:50 AM on 10/19/2007

http://www.needlenose.com/images/RepubJesus.jpg

[Curt]

10:48 AM on 10/19/2007

Bush and the repukes along with their huffpo trolls love torture.

The thought of some young, muscle bound, naked, 15 year Arab boy strapped down to a table pleading for his life gets their flag to full mast.

That explains why they have granted Amnesty to bin-laden and have done nothing tangible to bring him to justice. Too old and definitely not cute!

As for Saddam, his death beats paying 39.95 per month for their favorite "Tie Me Up and Bite My Nipples" website.

[OckhamsElectricRazor]

09:37 AM on 10/19/2007

I thought his answer was entirely appropriate. His hedge was essentially that he was not privy to the classified info needed to make a judgement about the question asked. However, it was very impressive that he found justification within the Constitution itself to ban torture. He also confirmed that actions by the executive contrary to law was indeed illegal regardless of presidential signing statements.

If he performs as advertised, expect a brief tenure that sheds much needed light on past Bush shenanigans.

[JSquercia]

10:01 AM on 10/19/2007

Based on his ANSWERS he MUST NOT be confirmed He is an obvious believer in the Unitary Executive Theory .
He is like Senator Spector who gives you hope for a few fleeting moments but ultimately disappoints . No wonder RUDY loves him .

[PollM]

09:35 AM on 10/19/2007

.
Just come out publicly and endorse the truth, it seem so disingenuous. Let people know your real position.

Would the nomination of Michael Mukasey be an explicit approval of torture? -----> http://www.youpolls.com/details.asp?pid=746
.

[JoJoGunner]

09:35 AM on 10/19/2007

NeoTheNut - What kind of torture does --- aw fergit it she's hammered again.

[JoJoGunner]

09:31 AM on 10/19/2007

Nazikazi - What kind of torture does Jayzus Kraust approve of??? Hmmmm???

[Thalia]

09:30 AM on 10/19/2007

Is this guy going to put innocent people in prison so Republicans can win elections?

Like Alberto did?