MoveOn Enters Torture Fray, Calls For Special Prosecutor

MoveOn.org will enter the debate over torture investigations on Tuesday, asking its members to call on Attorney General Eric Holder to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate the architects of the Bush administration's program of detainee torture.

The foray represents a new direction for MoveOn, which has previously been focused on pushing the progressive agenda - the stimulus, Obama's budget, healthcare, cap and trade - through Congress. Groups to MoveOn's left have long been critical of the organization for not making investigations and prosecutions of Bush-era criminal activity a top priority.

The call for a special prosecutor adds MoveOn's rather loud voice to the growing chorus demanding that crimes be investigated. It's also an indication that the call for accountability for those who committed crimes during the Bush administration is becoming a mainstream Democratic position, and one the White House will find harder to move past.

The group will only deliver the petition to Holder, however, if it gathers 200,000 signatures, making the call a test of the appetite of the progressive base for investigations.

On Monday, Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.), a senior Democrat on the judiciary committee, called for the impeachment of Jay Bybee, one of the authors of the torture memos and now a federal judge.

MoveOn makes the case that without consequences for breaking the law, rogue behavior is only encouraged. "So far there's been no accountability for the architects of Bush's torture program -- the top officials who justified keeping detainees awake for 11 days straight, waterboarding them repeatedly, and forcing prisoners into coffin-like boxes with insects," reads the letter from MoveOn to its members. "We need real consequences for those responsible -- it's the only way to keep this from happening again."

The full letter:

Subject: Bush's torture

Dear MoveOn member,

Story continues below

advertisement

On Thursday, President Obama released memos that describe, in horrific detail, the torture techniques authorized by the Bush administration. The memos make clear that top Bush officials didn't just condone torture -- they encouraged it.

So far there's been no accountability for the architects of Bush's torture program -- the top officials who justified keeping detainees awake for 11 days straight, waterboarding them repeatedly, and forcing prisoners into coffin-like boxes with insects.1

We need real consequences for those responsible -- it's the only way to keep this from happening again. Attorney General Holder can open an investigation into the torture program -- but he most likely won't unless people everywhere speak up and demand it.

Can you sign our petition to Attorney General Eric Holder asking him to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate the torture program? If we can reach 200,000 signatures, we'll deliver the petition to Holder by the end of the week. Clicking here will sign your name:

http://pol.moveon.org/torture/

The petition says: "No one is above the law. It's time to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate and prosecute the architects of the Bush-era torture program."

Calls for action, from the United Nations, the ACLU, Amnesty International,2 Senators Leahy and Feingold, and others, are gathering steam. The New York Times made the case for accountability yesterday:3

"...[Obama] has an obligation to pursue what is clear evidence of a government policy sanctioning the torture and abuse of prisoners "in violation of international law and the Constitution."

This isn't about retribution or politics. It's about accountability. If hundreds of thousands of us speak up, we can make sure Holder hears this loud and clear.

Thanks for all you do.

Nita, Kat, Carrie, Ilyse, and the rest of the team

Sources:

1. "Interrogation Memos Detail Harsh Tactics by the C.I.A.," The New York Times, April 17, 2009.

2. "Opposition Grows To Obama's Decision Not To Prosecute CIA Agents," The Huffington Post, April 19, 2009.

3. "A Torturers' Manifesto," The New York Times, April 19, 2009.

Become a fan of HuffPost Politics on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter.

Comments

[Petras24]

The Memos Prove We Didn't Torture
The Red Cross was completely wrong about 'walling.'
By DAVID B. RIVKIN JR. and LEE A. CASEY * APRIL 20, 2009, 4:12 A.M. ET WSJ
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124018665408933455.html

The four memos on CIA interrogation released by the White House last week reveal a cautious and conservative Justice Department advising a CIA that cared deeply about staying within the law. Far from "green lighting" torture -- or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment of detainees -- the memos detail the actual techniques used and the many measures taken to ensure that interrogations did not cause severe pain or degradation.

Interrogations were to be "continuously monitored" and "the interrogation team will stop the use of particular techniques or the interrogation altogether if the detainee's medical or psychological conditions indicates that the detainee might suffer significant physical or mental harm."

[Retrofuturistic]

Where was MoveOn when millions of people wanted impeachment? Did they support it? No.

[FrankenPC]

I'm still incensed that baby Bush hasn't been held accountable for the ultimate war crime: the illegal overthrow of a sovereign nation. An acknowledged, international war crime.

If we can do this, so can everyone else. This is the ultimate crime. And he walked away scott free. GRRRR!!!!

[power1]

ZZZZZzzzzz­.....

[sviolette]

Go to: http://pol.moveon.org/torture/ to sign petition.

[sueno]

We were a country of laws
until Bush got into office-

[mollymac]

In spite of the outward appearances of the administration's decision to not prosecute, I don't think they are as out of touch as many posters seem to think. My opinion is that the president et al, know they cannot make a unilateral decision to eliminate prosecution. So, they will state the obvious and the DOJ who does have the power, will ultimately make the decision to proceed, or not. This is not one foot not knowing what the other is doing, rather they are in sync. Do you really think Obama would appear so out of touch? He is a very smart man and he's doing what he's going to do to not derail the other highly charged issues that he's having to contend with. Let DOJ do their job.

[sposton]

Have you ever thought about the possibility that Obama may actually need to hear a lot of noise about issues in order to get him to act? It may be just provide the sufficient force to overcome political and institutional resistance. Our government would be a lot more responsive to us if we were could make a lot more noise and sending a clear signal we will not tolerate certain behavior or inaction.

[Retrofuturistic]

Excellent point. We cannot expect one man to stand up to all this money and power by himself. If we want him to do this, it requires our action. Our words have been ignored for eight years, and are still being ignored, so it is clear that words do not work. What are we waiting for? Until every last cent has been stolen?

[FrankenPC]

Something is bothering me about all this. Besides the torture.

Obama released the memos with no intent on following through? I don't believe that. I think he may be playing the PC card and hoping the right people will do the right thing.

[sposton]

Perhaps he is hoping from an uproar from the people which will provide a sufficient justification to act?

[FrankenPC]

Right. Give the wingnuts sufficient time to think they came up with the idea. It's the only way you CAN deal with them. Let them take the credit. Obama doesn't strike me as the type who needs recognition.

[Retrofuturistic]

The people are wimps. Look what they have already tolerated, with no action....

[Grunty1]

I agree with your statement. In fact, I believe that Obama is trying to fan the flames to get the people to push for prosecution.

That doesn't make me any less angry to hear the Adminstration's postiion though.

[FrankenPC]

Politics.

[Lady Rose]

I do hope in my heart that this is true -- or some other justifiable reason why Obama is not pushing for an investigation. He has so much to get done - the economy, health care, etc. I do at some level understand the reluctance -- however, I can't just let this be swept under the carpet and move forward with out dealing with our past first.

I think it is very very very important that we all keep the pressure on to hold Bush, Cheney and the rest of the war criminals responsible. If Obama wants to prosecute but for reasons we don't know he can't, and the pressure gives Obama political cover great. If Obama has no plans or desire to prosecute, and the pressure gets someone else to do it - that is great too.

[4Q-N4Q2]

Confined spaces?
Sleep deprivation?
Water board?
Bugs?

BOO HOO!

That pales in comparison to severing the head of a bound, gagged and blindfolded captive with a dull sword. Jihadists get no sympathy whatsoever from this observer.

[sawdustinhershoes]

Then you are no better than the jihadists. You don't get it.

Or, you're one of the people recently mentioned in an article referring to paid bloggers. I'll bet on the latter.

[Grunty1]

Confined spaces = bound, gagged and blindfolded

[Bushwillresign]

Sorry but we don't know what you are talking about since no one here watches Facts News.

Someone got cut with a sword? Was it shiny and new? Most people that use swords keep them in good shape by sharpening them, and shining them up. I remember Michael Savage screaming about a dull sword. I thought his point was that when these people get tortured, they get out their dull swords for revenge.

Torturing many innocent people (some paid the ultimate price) is better than severing the head...?

So, are you for torture and against severed heads or what?

[AnnfromCA]

I remain skeptical that Cheney's claim that we did get good information out of our techniques is true, but he's right to insist that all the letters be released. It's lopsided right now.

However, I do very much remember the beheadings. That is quite a lot different, isn't it?

I'm not sure what people really expect. I guess we could simply shoot them all. Then there'd never be any further prosecutions.

My biggest concern is that this is nothing but politically charged anger from the left. People who were absolutely operating within the parameters of the law, and they went to lengths to ensure that, are going to be destroyed by this.

It's not right.

[sawdustinhershoes]

Quit being obtuse. Our country has been governed by checks and balances pretty well until Bush. He and his cronies rewrote the law to their liking. To claim that this is legal and that Bush was elected to overthrow the entire history of laws governing our society is hogwash.

[LeLoup]

When seeking revenge for it's own sake, dug two graves; one for your enemy, one for yourself.

[RationalityPlease]

Is it optional for the police to arrest a murderer?
Politics should have no place in this: Simply enforce the Rule of Law.

[TFlint]

Police arrest suspects. Juries try murderers. That is the Rule of Law.

[alwaysthere]

someone hasn't been watching the video games our kids are playing

Huh !

[Nadmennymillicent]

Remember Congress had to approve all of this.
So everybody has something to answer for Dems also.

[Bushwillresign]

Excellent point: Start the hearings, get all the republicans and democrats together to back the hearings and let the guilty be punished and the innocent go free.

No dems signed the memos, if that matters.

[sposton]

That is a good reason to kick them all out; that is not a good reason for not proceeding with a thorough investigation of any law breaking.

[timberdoodle]

Whether to investigate and/or prosecute is not Obama's decision as the White House should have no influence over the Department of Justice. Remember the latter is what has got America into this present mess and corrupted the DOJ.

[MSNichols]

As disgusted as I am over the fact that my country tortured I am equally amazed at the lack of commentary regarding the fact that we have American citizens, soldiers and government "experts" that spent this much time inflicting pain and suffering on a human being (no matter the crime, no matter the inhierent evilness of that "human being"). Does it not bother people that we have people in our midst that have stood by or participated in this brutality or the fact that somewhere, someone is training 18 - 25 year olds on how to inflict suffering? Similar to the debate on capital punishment, somewhere, someone either pushes the button, throws the switch or plunges the needle.

[sposton]

We are overwhelmed by the number of wrongdoings. People have a limited memory stack to deal with all this stuff. Plus we have been dumbed down over decades not to think about political issues because we don't seem to be able to do anything about them. Let's face it - we aren't exactly an exemplary democracy where our opinion counts for much. Of course, ultimately we are responsible and we must find a way to save what we have left of our democracy and then reform it and re-energize it.

[TFlint]

There has been no mention of the doctors who witnessed this. Where is the American Medical Association?

[AirForceBlue]

Drip, drip, drip......­.........t­iny bits of the water torture scenario slowly unfold, intended to divert the public's attention from what really is going on. While we look at this nasty torture stuff our republic suffers further diminishing into a collective, citizens needing government lucre and care from cradle to grave. Well OK, let's look into the waterboarding, whole hog. Stop this bit by bit revelations and do what former VP Cheney recommended -- full disclosure of all the memos that address the purpose and outcome of waterboarding. (Think it will happen? Nah.......­....why stop the nation's pain of ignorant bliss when there's a successful political agenda at work.)

[sawdustinhershoes]

Why not admit Cheney is out of power and completely out of order.

[AirForceBlue]

Actually yes, to both your points. So we should not have ALL the data pertaining to the whole nasty business? If that's the case then there's more to this than mere political chicanery.