Report on Cheney Shows Why We Need The Truth

Did Dick Cheney knowingly send intelligence officials to Congress to mislead them about the use of waterboarding? Did the Vice President himself?

We simply don't know. But we need to know, in light of the explosive report in the Washington Post today, that the Vice President took a very personal role in some Congressional briefings.

We've got a petition up demanding the truth, over at VoteVets.org.

Now, why would veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan care about this? Isn't this a political issue? Maybe, but it has far reaching implications for our troops in the field.

First - we absolutely have to send the message to the Muslim world that to the degree that we did torture, we fully investigated how those tactics came to be employed (including how it may have been hidden at the time), and held accountable those who were at fault.

To be clear, President Obama is making great progress by ending the use of torture, and moving to close the detainee facility at Guantanamo. But, it makes it harder for our troops to win hearts and minds, and still serves as a great terrorist recruiting tool, if there is word out there that the United States tortured, and let people responsible walk, without accountability.

Second - We have to send the message to our allies that when we violate international law (as General Petraeus has said), we fully investigate and hold people accountable. If we can't make good on our agreements in the Geneva Conventions, then it severely and adversely affects the trust of the world to uphold our other agreements.

Further, it hurts our ability to build coalitions in the future, when going to war is truly in our national security interests (unlike Iraq). It's always somewhat en vogue to bash the international community, but the fact of the matter is that we need the nations of the world to trust us, especially if we're to ensure that future conflicts don't fall just on the shoulders of our troops.

I see the appeal of moving ahead, and not looking back, when it comes to torture. Most people would like to just move on and forget about the past eight years. But, we can't.

The old saying from Santayana is "Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it." We can't learn from recent history unless we know everything about the recent history of torture. That's why we need to investigate the whole truth about torture, now.

Crossposted at VetVoice.com

Comments

[uvymopka]

Jon,
If you go through the rest of your life trying to show people that they were wrong, you're never going to be happy because they're never going to admit it and you'll never know how they really feel. That advice was some of the best advice I ever got. You need to get in touch with your inter self Jon. How do you really feel. Come on now....telll us.

[NicoloM]

Wow, the never look back excuse, although you are partially right "ka"-- I prosecuted many people for things like stealing and breaking into houses and many of them weren't willing to admit what they had done. And you are partially wrong, I felt good about holding criminals accountable.
So I concur with Jon and would like to add one more thing-- holding people accountable is a part of the system of values of the rule of law for which we ask young men and women to serve in the military to preserve. We don't do it because it is convenient or fits a particular political perspective, we do it because that is what makes America great.
We can chew gum and walk at the same time.

[sunny123]

So, how do we make this commission happen since Congress won't? Senator Leahy from Vt tried to get this started and was somehow taken aside and told to stop. What about going to Holder? Who are some of the big players outside the legislature? We have no help here in TX. What about trying to get ahold of former Senator Gary Hart?

This really does need to take place so it can never happen again. Memories are short.

I would be willing to e-mail, set up petitions and do whatever I can from home to get this on the radar. What about you?

[davism97]

I'm surprised there isn't more outrage that Cheney admits there was never a link between Iraq and 9/11. Using deceipt to send American troops into a needless war (in order to further personal and political motives) is just as wrong and unlawful as torture.

[TRUE BLUE AMERICAN]

Cheney never said there was a link between Iraq and 9-11, the left makes the crap up as they go. Fact - there were extreme muslim fanatics moving in and out of Iraq. The "in order to further personel and political motives" statement is completely false, the looney left can't accept that Bush is a good man that was trying to protect the nation.

[Kirk59]

The majority left, my friend. Mr. Bush and Mr. Cheney ran a criminal enterprise. their aim was to create an excuse to invade an oil rich Middle East country and then rob it blind for as long as they were in power, enriching oil companies and those that support them like Halliburton. They used torture, as everyone does, to elicit false confessions which would support their assertions about Iraq and Al Quiada. Torture was never used to "protect" anyone except them. They spied on their political enemies after ramming through the Patriot Act and were probably complicit in the anthrax attacks on the only 2 Senators who sttod in their way. In their final disgrace they paid off Wall Street with billions in TARP money and no accountability. Bush was, at best, a useful idiot.
Enjoy the cheap seats. You guys earned them.

[chriss0114]

you didn't watch much TV during the run to the war---Bush was saying almost DAILY "9/11" "Iraq" and the mushroom cloud and Cheney was too

was you cable service out?

[jimbeaux1961]

Dick Cheney took five deferments to avoid military service. As SECDEF he advocated privatizing non-combat support for the military. He then became CEO of Halliburton, the largest corporation selling those services to the US government. When he left Halliburton to become Vice-President, he was given a $20 million severance package by Halliburton, part of a $100 million dollar personal fortune he has amassed by war-profiteering. When he became Vice-President, he was a vehement advocate of the invasion of Iraq, where Hallibuton, his old employer, was given the largest contract there without even bidding for it, as forbidden by US law. He then advocated the use of torture on our prisoners. When our troops were caught at this, he denied any knowlege and described them as "a few bad apples", and "a few sadistic prison guards". Those troops now languish in prison while Dick Cheney has retired to a life of luxury.
DO YOU HONESTLY BELIEVE THAT THIS IS "A GOOD MAN...TRYING TO PROTECT THE NATION"?

[Blink2X]

Maybe you should rewatch Cheney on MTP in 2003 or any number of other videotaped episodes of him indeed saying there was a link between Saddam and Al Qaida and 9-11. maybe you missed him stating that he knew for sure that Atta met with Iraqi intelligence officers in Prague. You probably believe that Richard Clark and Clinton hadn't warned Bush/Cheney about the Al Qaida threat prior to 9-11 either. Now Cheney is out there everyday trying to rewrite history. This probably won't affect you as you have made it abundantly clear that you know nothing about the subject.

[trisha08]

Every time I see Cheney on yet another show, I get sick to my stomach. The media is treating him like a rock star and he is basically sitting there saying, Ya', we tortured and broke International law...what about it?

I am so sick of "journalist" today because there really are NO journalists today. They are all just talking heads or fluff writers who seem to be afraid to ask the tough questions of Cheney.

Where did all the investigative journalist go? I'm guessing the restraints by conservative media ownership prevents them from doing any investigative work or asking the tough questions.

So, they will just sit there and let Cheney get more and more of the spot light to spew his lies. Sick.

[Judah]

We seem to be getting diverted from the main issue when we focus on torture. There were constitutional wrongs committed before the torture began. Beginning with the 2000 elections which many believe were subverted by the Neocons to benefit the puppet president GW Bush. The insane focus on Iraq while ignoring intelligence pointing out the planning for 911. Public statements by administration officials tying Iraq to 911 when they had the intelligence discounting that. WMD claims that were illogical given the sanctions and the weapons inspectors actions in Iraq prior to starting an illegal aggreession and invasion of Iraq.
We gloss over the known fact that Cheney's office pushed for torture so that such a specious claim could be confirmed. Since the TV series 24, I have been more inclined to believe that 911 was an inside job. The actions of Bush,Cheney et al have done nothing but increase these suspicions. Yet our beloved President, whom I still support wish to look forward while our wutless congress wants a commission that will absolve the evil doers. Maybe we should allow all felons to possess gun and regain the right to vote also. Since we want to look forward...

[laocoon]

why not release all prisoners in jails and on criminal dockets as well.

[cobraxus]

those who committed crimes will stand trial and if found guilty will be locked up in supermax prisons.that is the rule of law.sorry if that doesn't meet your reactionary political requirements.

[JDM73]

History will prove this to be *the* major issue of our time. The Bush administration's dangerous precedent should not be allowed to stand.

[Yermammy]

I am outraged that this country gives war criminals the time of day, let alone spots on TV to spout their lies (I'm looking at you Karl Rove and Dick Cheney). That's becoming a sick habit in this country to let corrupt and immoral characters have the limelight and actually treat them like celebrities (yeah, you, Mr & Mrs Blagojevich, Gordon LIddy, and other crooks). I wouldn't let this trash IN MY YARD, but they're invited onto my TV, like I'm supposed to accept their behavior and "make up". BS.
The lying corporate press bears full responsibility in the illegal run up to war in Iraq and needs to be harshly dealt with. A very few conservative men own ALL of the public airwaves and until this is rectified, they have the power to push propaganda and public opinion (sadly, that doesn't speak highly of a lot of this gullible nation).
A) Cheney, Pearle, Rumsfeld and Wolfowitz knew EXACTLY what they were doing as they were stupid enough to put their Empire Building aspirations on-line with the PNAC Manifesto (MOTIVE).
B) They conveniently had the NYC phone book sized "Patriot Act" Bill ready to put into action that gave the President extraordinary "Unitary Executive powers" (MEANS).
C) Like Manna from Heaven, 9/11 happened and the great wars now had purpose! (OPPORTUNITY)

A,B,C- MOTIVE, MEANS and OPPORTUNITY....
In a Court of LAW, that would make these criminals as guilty as Sin.
INVESTIGATE THESE CRIMES!

[rtb61]

People should never forget the seperation of powers. The legislative, the judicial and the administrative. So congress writes laws in does not and should not administer them or rule over them, it however should gather information to ensure the laws are valid and being used properly. The juridical interprets the laws as congress has provided, ig congress is unhappy about the interpretation is has to go through the full process of rewritting the law so that it is interpreted in the manner they expected. The administrative is the president and their team, their only job is to administer the government and absolutely never take on imperial powers where they become judge, jury and executioner, where they write their own laws in memos to suit themselves, where they interpret and redefine those memos as suit their current whim and where they judge others against those memos, and steal from them, torture them and ultimately kill them. So the truth commission is how the administrative branch treacherously took on powers that exceeded the constitution limits and broke a fundamental element of any democratic society, no one should be ever be judge, jury and executioner.

[laocoon]

the judicial applies the law to specific cases and facts. that is the basic function and interpretation is a necessary incident of that function. court do not interpret except in the context of deciding how the law applies to specific and real controversies.

[LizM]

Why would Afghanistan and Iraq vets NOT care about these issues?! But, of course, I have always thought the troops should be more political...the more political, the better...especially after what has happened over the last eight years.

I think you and others need to keep these issues front and center for as long as it takes...just in case all of the investigations at DoJ and in Congress come off the rails, for one reason or another...and, just in case some sort of 'Truth Commision', doesn't get on the rails...and, just in case there is no accountablility at all, God forbid.

[demfriend]

We need to know there will be more done than sweep under the carpet/bed the torture done while Cheney oversaw it. He was in meetings about torture and making decisions long before he "briefed" the Congress members he supposedly did so how much was he involved? From the start. How much did he know? Everything. How much should he have to answer questions about it all in the front of Congress? He should have to answer all questions and be held totally accountable for this breach of the Geneva Convention. Starting with him and Rumsfield on the seats in front of Congress should be a begining to show the world we do believe humans are to be treated humanely. I am only one person who has asked their Congress people for answers as to why a special prosecutor has not been appointed to look into these issues. We as Americans whose family members are serving all over the world and are at risk because of these things done should have the rights to protecting those in uniform while they are protecting us.

[Emerald1943]

Thanks, Jon! You hit the nail on the head!

I don't understand why our MSM in this country really is not reporting the entire story on torture. There has been no mention of the torture deaths of detainees in our military prisons, nor have they covered the rape of children at Abu Ghraib. Seems to me that while they usually run the most sensational story to get positive ratings, they are either too intimidated or paid off not to cover these crimes.

There are poll numbers showing the country split on the issue of whether torture is warranted or not. I am appalled that anyone would think it was okay to use at any time. I believe that if the American people were told the "rest of the story", there would be such outrage that Washington would have no choice but to prosecute.

Please keep writing! Please keep this issue on the "front burner"!

[sviolette]

I see alot of people blaming the media for their lack of reporting on torture but then I see MSNBC evening news shows all reporting on this subject every night but nothing is happening. I believe we also got the article this blog is about from the so called MSM. How much of the investigation does the media have to do before the justice dept takes over?

[Rule Of Law]

pt. 2

...be a beginning. Coming clean about our history, before having our leaders making demands of others, would be ideal. Red or blue, it must be done if we are to be respected by our neighbors again.

[Rule Of Law]

I heard Hillary Clinton today demanding that the Chinese divulge all the facts around the Tienanmen Square massacre, and accept responsibility for it.

This while America wages wars in 2 and a half (Pakistan) countries and refuses to make public its history of torture, much less be held accountable for it.

Let's forget for a minute that we have a Dem administration in DC--the ruling party is unimportant. The point here is how great the hypocrisy of our Country. How dare we attempt to hold any other nation to rules we ourselves are not prepared to follow?

Did Cheney lie to Congress? Of course. He lied about 911, anthrax, Iraq, Osama, torture, spying, and Katrina. But we expected it of him!

Before we begin making human rights demands of other countries, we must get back to holding them dear for ourselves. This administration has a chance to set the example. Prosecuting Cheney et al would

[freethinkergirl]

Having a lot of family in Europe, I also agree. They constantly point our hypocrisy as to our demands on other nations while not adhering to international treaties ourselves.

We must hold Bush & Co accountable, soon, this will do so much for the respect of our Nation as well as our people from the rest of the world.

[Rule Of Law]

I would agree, but add that we must hold ALL of our leaders accountabl­e--regardl­ess of party.

[devildog21]

As usual Jon, hit the nail on the head; with the exception of this part:

"I see the appeal of moving ahead, and not looking back, when it comes to torture. Most people would like to just move on and forget about the past eight years. But, we can't."

I disagree that most people would rather not look back. If criminal acts were perpetrated in my country's name, I damn well do want accountability and I think a large majority of Americans would agree with me.

Problem is, with the Washington good 'ol boy network in place, you can rest assured that there will be no investigation, much less prosecution of anyone above the rank of sergeant.

[annie g]

With Cheney running around the country blaming everyone else for his crimes, looking back is like looking foward. We cannot allow Cheney and everyone else that helped to perpetrate these Wars to be allowed to destroy America even further. We had enough of it the last 8 years. Everytime Cheney opens his mouth it is the proverbial "another nail in his coffin". I hope the Justice Department has not brought charges yet because of the fact they need more information and not because they are not going to prosecute.

[Blueneck]

Day by day, leak by leak, disclosure by disclosure, the sheer weight of the evidence is going to come crashing down on 'ole Darth Cheney and the Obama Justice Department will have no choice but to open an investigation. (They should anyways, but politics being what it is...)

[FearlessFreep]

Once again, Obama is behind the curve.

[BBackSoon]

I prefer to see him as riding the curve on this one. I know I might be naïve but my thoughts are that Pres Obama cannot go directly after these guys because to do so would open a veritable Pandora’s Box of Investigations of the Previous Administration after every party change.

But if the ground swell of public opinion raises so high that the Obama Justice Department will be ‘Forced’ to investigate. This will remove or lessen the Political Revenge arguments.

But then again maybe Pres. Obama, whom I voted for might have some things he is going to want to keep hidden? I hope not, but. . .

[PierreLeClerke]

The evidence is already overwhelming. Any, I said any fifth grader could prosecute this case with a simple time line and get the death penalty for at least a hand full of these criminal profiteers.
The motive, as disgusting as it sounds is and always was $$$$$$$$$ !!!