Cheney's Possible CIA Program Concealment Should Be Probed: Durbin

Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) called on Sunday for an investigation into a report that former Vice President Dick Cheney ordered the Central Intelligence Agency to withhold information about a secret program from Congress.

Durbin's comments came in the wake of the New York Times storyreported Sunday that the CIA withheld information about a secret counter-terrorism program. On This Week with George Stephanopoulos, Durbin said the secrecy may have been illegal.

Stephanopoulos: Sen. Durbin, do you think this has to be investigated?

Durbin: Absolutely, it does. Let me tell you, we have a system of checks and balances. There's accountability in our Constitution. The executive branch of government cannot create a program that's like these programs and keep Congress in the dark. There's a requirement for disclosure. It has to be done in an appropriate way so it doesn't jeopardize our national security, but to have a massive program that is concealed from the leaders in Congress is not only inappropriate, it could be illegal.

Stephanopoulos: So you want the Intelligence Committee to look into this?

Durbin: Absolutely.

Earlier, on Fox News Sunday, Sen. Jon Cornyn (R-Tex.) took the opposing point of view, saying it seemed as though the revelation was designed to provide "political cover" for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), who has claimed she was misled by the CIA about counter-terror efforts.

"This, of course, comes on the heels of a statement unproven, by the way, of Speaker Pelosi that the CIA had lied to her about enhanced interrogation techniques and this looks like a way to provide political cover to her and others," said Cornyn. "To trot out the Vice President and say he's the one who's at fault, this unfortunately sounds like a new theme where they still want to blame the Bush-Cheney administration for the economy and other things..."

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Comments

[expired]

Why would you NOT want these allegations investigated?

[rollingdivision]

All talk no action. Investigate, hold Senate hearings on TV, indict, prosecute and hold public trials. But since it's all phony nothing which reveals the facts will happen.

[DougNTexas]

If Cornyn is for it, I am against it.

[Bude]

Why are these guys always named Dick?

[martinchill]

"This conjunction of an immense military establishment and a large arms industry is new in the American experience. The total influence -- economic, political, even spiritual -- is felt in every city, every State house, every office of the Federal government. We recognize the imperative need for this development. Yet we must not fail to comprehend its grave implications. Our toil, resources and livelihood are all involved; so is the very structure of our society.

In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist."

yeppers.

[Exexecution]

Notice when Cheney is accused of crimes the trolls come out in huge numbers? Get used to it. There is much more to come

[lorandrea]

The notion that this is all about providing cover for Pelosi is hysterically funny. The Republicans are the ones who made an enormous issue over what was in fact a minor statement on her part, and given the huge numbers of demonstrable GOP lies already proven to have been told regarding everything else concerning this war (WMDs, Nigerian yellowcake uranium, etc, etc, ad nauseum), no one really had any reason to think twice about Pelosi's assertion until the GOP tried to make a personal issue out of it (and BTW, why do they think that every time someone has a disagreement with one of their own, that person owes their fellow an apology?? Why don't they owe every Democrat about a million apologies?)

In the final analysis, only the GOP is still smarting about Pelosi's statement of many weeks ago. It is a non-issue to the rest of the world, no one really cares, if they ever did, and to drag this ancient piece of history out of the sub-basement to "explain" why anyone might be concerned with yet another example of Cheney flagrantly breaking the law and getting away with it is simply a desperate ploy to take the attention off the main point, which is that Cheney was yet again involved in legally and morally questionable actions and has yet to feel a single repercussion (think Valerie Plame, waterboarding, etc, for some other examples).

[Exexecution]

Agreed. 'Desperate' is the operative word here (no pun intended).
Watch for the media to roll out the Dickster and his female spawn (the allegedly non-lesbian one) for another go at the talk-show circuit.

[rich misty]

http://crooksandliars.com/susie-madrak/pelosi-tells-maddow-she-absolutely-su

Given that Pelosi is on record stating that she supports investigations that do NOT provide immunity from criminal prosectution.... While Republicans on committee obstruct justice in the exact same manner they obstruct government... Republicans don't have a pot to wii in.

[Perrydf]

Focusing exclusively on programs of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency ignores the bigger crime committed during the Bush/Cheney years; i.e., that the Central Intelligence Agency & Dick Cheney actively covered up the fact that Al Qaeda is an operation of the Saudi intelligence services and their masters in the British SIS (commonly called MI6). America was attacked on 9/11 by these Brits and the Saudis, that is now an established fact (see http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/24/world/middleeast/24saudi.html). When is Congress going to investigate the real purpetrators of 9/11. Most Englishmen and women are true to the special relaionship with America. But there has always been a sector of the British upper classes that have hated America's role in the world. And within British intelligence there are those intelligence masters with a "portfolio" that is distinctly anti-American. Dick Cheney and the Bush family have close relationships with these British and Saudi intelligence masters, and have had for many years. Just look at all the Muslim terrorist groups who have had and still have have their headquarters in London, all protected by the "big sister" at Six. This is what our Congress and our Media should be in an uproar about. Not simply that Congress was not told or not fully told about what the "little sisters" at Langley may or may not have done.

[Exexecution]

'Focusing exclusively on programs of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency ignores the bigger crime committed during the Bush/Cheney years; i.e., that the Central Intelligence Agency & Dick Cheney actively covered up the fact that Al Qaeda is an operation of the Saudi intelligence services and their masters in the British SIS (commonly called MI6).'

Yeah, CIA being America's longtime officially gov't sponsored terrorist organization and all....

[vippy]

I agree, but all crooks wash each other's hand. There won't be justice done EVER!

[martinchill]

i'm somewhat amazed that this comment was published.

+11.

[dqn]

Idiots!
It was a PROTOTYPE program and as such the CIA didn't need to tell Congress, CNN, ABC, NBC, CBS, Larry King, or anyone else about it (so that the Democratic caucus couldn't blab to everyone about it like they just have!). This is just the latest attempt to deflect attention away from Mdm. Pelosi and her absolutely incompetent job performance as House Speaker. Geez folks, in case ya'll have forgotten, we are still at war with a very determined enemy. If the Democrats had acted this way during WW2 we would have LOST!!!

[rich misty]

Why do Republicans support criminals?

[Axekick]

Because republicans are criminals

[EuGeneTherapy]

As long as they're on the same side as those that are winning, they're fine!!!

[Axekick]

1) This was not a prototype program, You are spewing right wing BS.

2) This has nothing to do with Pelosi, our government does not come to a screeching halt when ever something controversial is said.

3) We are not at war, see that also requires congressional approval.. or are these prototype wars?

[Solja]

You had me until you stated we are not at war. YES WE ARE. We are at war and we have the bodies to prove it.

It's just an illegal war, but it's war still the same.

Carry on...

[DanSteSr]

What i dont get is in the house intelligence committee their all in an uproar over this so called secret why haven't we herd anything from the senate intelligence committee no one there seems to have a problem with panettas story i guess maybe they alreadty new about it

[sandiegodreamer]

Prototype program, eh? This is starting to sound more and more like Bourne Identity stuff. Treadstone? Blackbriar? Uhmmm.

[tinhorn]

"If the Democrats had acted this way during WW2 we would have LOST!!!"
You mean the way Republicans are acting now? I AGREE!!!

[mari2JJ]

As my mother used to say to me when I misbehaved and tried to justify it, she said my explanation "sounded like an excuse not a reason." And frankly, your entire post has that very excuse smell to anyone with brains. Changing the subject just will not work and lest you get in a snit, I am a Republican and like McCain, I want this thing investigated. If Cheney had this stuff going on, I want him prosecuted. Malfeasance in either party hurts the very party that condones it and trying to change the subject to the Speaker just will not cut it this time. I am grateful for the courage of Senator McCain who calls it like it is no matter which party is involved.

[Solja]

I disagree with that last part about McCain. He was tortured, says he is against torture, also says that we have only heard the tip of the iceberg part of this whole story, but yet he says we shouldn't look back to prosecute anyone. You can't have it both ways. He is playing politics 101, for the sake of his party.

It's immoral and illegal to torture people, just as it is to have illegal wiretaps, so why is it illegal if we are not supposed to prosecute wrongdoers? McCain is playing politics and shows his lack of ethics. I used to like McCain some years ago, that is... until he fell off the boat.

[rich misty]

http://www.usdoj.gov/contact-us.html

http://www.whitehouse.gov/CONTACT/

The biggest problem with Congressional investigations is they give immunity in exchange for testimony and let the fish swim away free. Please write to the Attorney General and ask Holder to assign a prosecutor.

[Solja]

People need to be writing their Congressman/woman to insist on investigating these allegations... ALL OF THEM. There's so many now that even the media can't keep up! Holder wants a special prosecutor. He is just waiting on a public outcry that helps his case. People need to write their representative, AND the White House.

[rich misty]

Fanned and faved.

[CRAZEEH]

Hey I know, remember Ken starr spending 80 million dollars investigating Bill Clinton's Sex shannigans and end up with nothing...­........I'­ll Bet for that kind of change a special prosecutor will come up with some good indictments LOTS OF TARGETS ESPECIALLY BUSH AND SHOOTER ,HOW BOUT OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE...THATS A SURE BET!!!!!!!!!!!That 'll create a media and talking head FRENZY...........In the mean while OBAMA will be quietly passing his health care bill ..........HOW ABOUT IT DEMOS LETS GROW A PAIR!!!!!!­!!!!!!!!!!­!!!!

[Solja]

Wrong scenario. The part you left out is that the POTUS doesn't want anywhere near this drama, or as he calls it, "looking backwards". He wants everyone to get off scott free so as not to get in the way of his agenda to pass health care, a clean energy bill, card check, etc. No one can put this on Obama because he has been fighting tooth and nail, behind the scenes, to keep this story tamped down. It just won't go away though, in spite of Obama.

The difference with the Ken Starr investigations and this is that there is no sitting President being investigated. The Republicans put Ken Starr on Clinton and he was found guilty and the punishment is impeachment. Then it went to Congress to vote to impeach him and the House passed it. The Senate shut it down though, voting "Nay", killing the impeachment bill. That's how he served out the remainder of his term.

This investigation, if it happens, can be investigated and nothing has to be voted on by Congress. It will be set in a Federal court of law by sitting judges who will interpret the laws as written. We don't need Democrats to do anything right now. Eric Holder holds the keys to this whole thing. He can appoint a special prosecutor and the games begin, and Obama can't do anything about it.

I want to know at what point does Rahm and Obama cross the line of obstruction of justice?

[Yermammy]

Well, it's about time. I was wondering if this country was a ruled by law or men. Let's hope we can get to the bottom of this and place Dick where he belongs- the SuperMax in Colorado, of course.

[Solja]

Noooo, it would only be fitting if he were placed in that brand new, empty, prison in his home state. They are begging for new prisoners. Send him there along with the Gitmo detainees!

[LemonMeringue]

Dick and Liz dropped out of sight after blitzing the media for weeks, and quite suddenly. Why?

[rad21]

Just appoint a special prosecutor. Thene executive and congress (on both sides of the isle) can get on with their more important work - like healthcare reform.

With this issue investigated, the press will have nothing to write about and the pundits on TV will have nothing to talk about. The nation can save its time instead of wasting it.

[rich misty]

I concur. I posted the contact link above and requested exactly that.

[nk007]

rad21:

Absolutely! I don't see how appointing a special prosecutor interferes with either the work of the President or the Congress. I am sure the AG can find a respectable non-partisan, unlike Ken Starr, to do the job, out of the glare of politics.

[IllinoisGOP]

Great words from the guy who wasn't going to seat Burris before he decided to seat Burris. Sorry, I can't take the Senior Senator from Illinois very seriously on anything he says. He sort of blows in the political wind - and with the recent CIA stuff it is blowing against Cheney. If it turns out to be nothing - Senator Blade of Grass (moves whatever way the wind blows). The only thing that would be more of a joke is if the Junior Senator from Minnesota was pressing this issue.

[Yermammy]

With your moniker, how could you take anything seriously. The Grand Ol' oPray is a dying breed.

[IllinoisGOP]

Enjoy it now buddy - Just a few years ago Dems were a dying breed. Obama's election was a "throw the bums out" election and 2010 is shaping up as another toss out the ruling party election. Here in IL I don't see Dems holding the "Obama" seat or the late great Blago Governor seat.

I like my moniker - it makes me a qualified minority in a very blue state.

When there are Senators beyond Senator Test the Wind that pushes for a Cheney investigation I will believe there is something to this scandal. In any other state Durbin would be in the State Senate.

[Exexecution]

That's the President to you, sonny. I know that's hard to accept for you racist so-called conservatives but get over it. Unlike Shrub, like it or not, Obama was duly elected.