Holder: Cheney "Dead Wrong," We'd Never Authorize Torture

The Blog of Legal Times:

It might have been a casual luncheon, but that didn't make the questions any less probing. In a wide-ranging dialogue hosted by the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund at the National Press Club this afternoon, Gwen Ifill, the moderator and editor of PBS's Washington Week, questioned Attorney General Eric Holder Jr. on a number of issues facing the Justice Department, including the Supreme Court, torture memos, and what he thinks of former Vice President Dick Cheney's recent media blitz.

Read the whole story: The Blog of Legal Times

Comments

[OgreDaddy]

AG Holder,

With all due respect, it is time to show the American people and the world
that we do in fact have the capability to regain our moral high ground.

Too big to fail and too connected to jail, simply does not cut it.

These politicians and ranking officials chose the life of a public servant
it was not forced upon them.

The need to answer to the people for what they've done.

Their records belong to the people and where illegal activity is found,
allow a jury of their peers to decide their fate.

[PhilipTaylor]

Mr. Holder and Mr. 0bama,

Chainy (sic) will not let this go away - EVER!

Release all the files including his favorites!
Only FULL Investigation will make Chainy happy!

He needs his day in court so he can prove his case under oath! OR NOT!

[tbone99]

If you do not charge the people responsible for torture you ARE authorizing it.

If it was a rapist and you said we'll just ignore his crimes - you are giving the green light for him to do what he will to whoever he wants in the future.

Blood will be on YOUR hands from every nation that tortures, as well as when our government officials renew a fresh crime spree.

[TJCole]

Sorry Eric; your department already authorized torture, and made itself an accessory to so many crimes and you still have most of the Federalist Society usurpers at Justice responsible, on your pay roll buddy boy...!

[RobertHenryEller]

Dear AG Holder:

Although I'd like to believe that a good number of Americans are not among that "Nation of Cowards," I certainly believe that far from enough of us are not among that group. Your description was heavy, but not unwarranted. You are right not to retract it. Hopefully, we are all getting more courageous, or, better still, more rational.

Regarding your comment that Cheney is "dead wrong." I regret the "wrong" part.

But hopefully Cheney will make his remaining time on the planet worth our suffering it by singing sweetly before a court of law, or a congressional investigation with some actual teeth.

Last. If you're willing to call us a "Nation of Cowards," follow your own admonitions. You don't have to call Cheney a patriot. He isn't one. The country he's defending will hopefully never come back into being. The eight years of the United States of Dick Cheney were enough for me, and hopefully, the rest of us, to realize that's a country we don't wish to return to ever. I'm very happen to have the United States of America, and a President who understands where and what that country is, back again.

I wish you the courage and strength to do the very large job you face yourself, AG Holder.

[Rog49Thomas]

It's not a good idea to make promises you can't keep (or don't intend to keep).

Repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell.

Release of the torture pictures.

[PhilipTaylor]

Why are we hearing so much from Chainy (sic) and his kin folks?

Could it be because he does not have his f!nger p_pp_t to spread the word anymore?

He said, "no one else will defend .....!" Not one other politician!

This is not about our security! It is about his paran0ia and the many other distortions he pushed on the American People!

[nirek]

Maybe cheney is afraid he is going to be charged with crimes against humanity !?

Nirek

[blues101]

Hey back up........."I respect the man for his service to the country and the fact that he’s a patriot". So what planet hosted that theory? What service to his country - he said thanks but no thanks 5 times, i believe, to his country's request that he serve in viet nam. Patriot? Is that what he was when he outed valerie plame, is he being a patriot now, criticizing the President of the United States and speaking treason? You got some 'splainin' to do, lucy.

[blues101]

oh and cheney should take his freakshow and pre-emptive testimony road tour really out on the road.out of the u.s. - we shouldn't have to be the only ones who have to listen to it. He's too much of a coward to go to..........let's say spain or canada.......and try this crap out on those he thinks should also have a good deal of respect for his "patriotism".

[Cunningham]

I know. It sickens me that Holder said that about Cheney.

[kissMYfish]

I would rather have the new Supreme Court person in place before I prosecute. Certain things do need to be in place so there will be no interruptions.

[Cunningham]

AG Holder, you are bound by our law and the Geneva Conventions to PROSECUTE Bush-Cheney-Rumsfeld-Rice (among others). You cannot continue to call what they did torture and NOT prosecute them for their crimes.


Geneva Conventions:
Article 146: Each High Contracting Party shall be under the obligation to search for persons alleged to have committed, or to have ordered to be committed, such grave breaches, and shall bring such persons, regardless of their nationality, before its own courts. Charter of the International Tribunal at Nuremberg,
Article 8: The fact that the Defendant acted pursuant to order of his Government or of a superior shall not free him from responsibility, but may be considered in mitigation of punishment if the Tribunal determines that justice so requires.


U.S. Constitution, Article VI: [A]ll Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land.


U.S. Code TITLE 18 > PART I > CHAPTER 113C > 2340
http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/18/usc_sec_18_00002340----000-.html

[imsosure]

We wouldn't authorize torture but George and Dick sure did. Breaking the law they were swore to uphold, lying hypocrites need to be punished.

[Kassandra]

Well, then, Mr. Holder, prosecute them.

[TP2]

Here is Cheney claiming he kept us safe for 8 years. HE DIDN'T. 9/11 happened on their watch and history will show their incompetence allowed that attack. Now the little slime ball wants us to FEAR that Barack Obama is making us (US) less safe. So Iran releases journalist-that makes us less safe??? This man has done more harm to America than any Vice President in my memory-and I am 59.

[BujuBanton]

HOLDER AND OBAMA ARE LIARS

THEY ARE TORTURING PEOPLE AT BAGRAM AS WE SPEAK

THEY ARE WAR CRIMINALS !!!

WAKE UP PEOPLE

[BarackstarObama]

You're a li ar... go to he ll!

[teron678]

cite proof ......... pics will be ideal ...

[blues101]

Sorry, don't think so.

[ggmome]

OK Holder GIT 'EM DONE!