Dialing Back Dick: It's Time to Look Back and Scale Back the Enhanced Powers of the Bush Oval Office

For many, like me, torture is illegal. It is not effective in garnering credible information that keeps us safe from terrorism. It ruins our reputation in the world. It foments anti-American sentiment and violence. It actually creates new terrorists by furnishing recruiting propaganda for groups like al-Qaeda.

Similar arguments can be made about the many other tactics, techniques, pieces of legislation, and foreign policy agendas used in the past 8 years.(i.e. warrantless wiretapping, suspension of habeas corpus, Patriot Act I and II, preemptive war based on unsubstantiated and fabricated information, etc.) All of which were carried out and rammed down our throats in the name of "keeping us safe" from the terrorists.

Yes, for 8 years we were told to trust the likes of Dick Cheney who hissed that torture, warrantless wiretapping, the suspension of habeas corpus, the Patriot Act, etc. had all been necessary tools in our nation's arsenal against terrorism. Torture, warrantless wiretapping, the Patriot Act -- they all saved lives and prevented another 9/11.

Really?

Let's see the proof.

Now that we have a Democrat President and Congress, perhaps it is time to show proof to the American people about just how effective Bush tactics really were in keeping us safe. No roadblocks should exist for a Congress and President who want to right the wrongs and clear up the abuses of the past 8 years. So let's start with transparency, de-classification, and lots of accountability if need be. Sunlight is the best disinfectant.

Specifically, what is the proof that torture kept us safe for 8 years? Let's see the documents of the interviews detailing and revealing the threats and imminent plots that were averted.

And if State Secrets is to be wielded as the excuse to not release such information, it should be strenuously argued that any secret information gathered years ago is now out of date and no longer operational or tactical in nature. Clearly, any sources and methods mentioned 7 years ago would already have been capitalized upon and out of circulation. In other words, national security should no longer be an excuse for blocking the free flow of such information.

So let's throw the facts on the table and release the records. Wouldn't you like to see and judge what Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, Ramzi Binalsheibh, bin Attash, and the many others had to say? Wouldn't it be interesting to assess whether the information gathered and relied upon should have been deemed credible and reliable in nature? Because what if it wasn't?

What if every piece of information gathered through torture was absolute bunk? Have you considered the ramifications?

Admittedly, we cannot go back and erase what happened from history but we can learn from what happened. In particular, the Bush torture practices and policies warrant serious public examination--an examination where accountability should flow to those who issued and/or crafted the Orders not those who merely followed along. Because that is the best way to learn lessons from the past and ensure that similar mistakes are not made by future Administrations.

Remember one of VP Cheney's key goals back in 2001 was to strengthen the Office of the President. And so he did for 8 long years leaving our Constitution and country in shambles. Well, now it's time to dial back the works of Dick Cheney.

Recall the eloquent speeches made by the Democrats while in the minority. They cried out against Cheney's power grab and spoke of the danger that such absolute power posed to the precious balance of powers established by our Founding Fathers.

Now that the Democrats are in control, they must dismantle the absolute, unchecked power transferred to the Oval Office during the Bush years. Cheney's work needs to be undone. Because such boundless Executive power is dangerous in any Administration--and not just the outwardly reckless, agenda-driven Republican ones. We must not forget that.

No, we must not simply "move forward."

Hearing that sentiment took me back to President Bush, VP Cheney, and their Republican counterparts soon after the 9/11 attacks when many of us were looking for a healthy examination into pre-9/11 intelligence failures and were refused. At the time many Americans were too blinded by their fear to dissent.

Today, as we await the historical inauguration of Barack Obama, let's not be blinded by our hope. All failures--especially those of leadership-- must be examined. People must be held accountable. And, transparency must become the norm.

Comments

[ntmessage]

It will take years to figure out and undo the Cheney legacy in Washington and across every intelligence department in the union as well as abroad and not forgetting every sovereign power.
Seems like one of the highest priorities, not just to prove what we already know, but also to analyze and understand what he did so we can understand what we are really up against. It will not be easy, minefields, false leads and dead end trails and set-ups will be everywhere.

[freehtenet]

When Louis Freeh appeared at the Eric Holder hearings and was praised by Patrick Leahy it reminded me of my simple conspiracy theory (only my second ever) prompted by Kristen Breitweiser's "Wakeup Call": Freeh resigned from the FBI three months before 9/11. Geo Tenet wasn't that smart. Both men were Clinton appointees but Freeh's hatred of Clinton was almost palpable(even at the Holder hearings he termed the Marc Rich pardon as corruption implying Holder was putty in corrupt Clinton's hands) and if Tenet isn't near the pol he loves he loves the pol he's near (classic yesman/panderer).

I think they (FBI and CIA heads) conspired to ignore the 9/11 perpetrators even though they knew what was afoot, and remembering Watergate and knowing how to do it, destroyed all evidence. Furthermore I think they were in on the Millennium Plot which was foiled by a smart woman at the Canadian border. Purpose of both plots: Embarrass Clinton and make Bush a hero. Had the Millenium Plot succeeded it would also have allowed Bush to win without Sandra Day O'Conner's help.

Since I got this from Kristen's book I would especially like to know her views. As for a day of judgment I also think the CIA and the mob used Oswald to kill Kennedy and you'll note that they got away with that little caper.

[getrealalready]

Ms Breitweiser,
I think this is an excellent post. I'm just confused why you didn't consider Leon Panetta's shared beliefs when you analyzed your concerns about his "spook qualifications." After all, it's the insiders who look the other way regarding torture and the Geneva Convention.

[Cleever]

Getrealalready,

Your ignorance on this topic is breath taking.

Educate your self:

http://www.upi.com/Emerging_Threats/2009/01/12/Analysis_Obama_picks_outsider_for_CIA_job/UPI-17231231812114/

Getalifealready!

[scott63]

I find it almost adorable this notion that now with Obama and the democrates in power no more torture, please, do you really think everything that goes on in the CIA comes across the Presidents desk or will be passed by old Leon for his approval? Wake up, there are worlds within worlds at the CIA, things done constantly off the grid, deals will be cut and detainee's will be shipped off for questioning to countries with less fragile sensabilities.

[vigilantwarrior]

"there are worlds within worlds at the CIA, things done constantly off the grid"

Yes--"plausible deniability". So why bother with the charade of a "Republic" at all?

Was this done "off the grid", too?

http://michaelfury.wordpress.com/2008/08/20/the-ghost-in-the-machines-the-mystery-of-the-wtc-hard-drive-recoveries/

[RobinSeattle]

Kristen, let's just start with curtailing the Imperial Vice Presidency that Cheney constructed and then we can move on to reimposing checks and balances on the President.

[superbowl3]

Weather you like Bush or not and I am pretty sure everybody reading this does not, you can not take away the fact that Bushes tough tactics have kept us safe for the last 8 years. I only hope and pray that Obama can do the same. I think his pick to run the CIA is a huge mistake. It only proves once again that Democrats are weak on defense. If we get attacked in the next four years, Obama can kiss the four years after that goodbye. I hope Obama stays strong and doesn"t cave to the far left. We don"t need a wimp running the country when we are in 2 wars.

[drumz]

The worst attack on our soil in the history of our country occurred on bu$h's watch. He ignored the PDB on 8/7 about planes being hijacked which was 34 days prior to the attack. So tell me again how he has kept us safe? And his tough tactics got what intelligence or convictions? How many out of the thousands incarcerated and tortured, huh? Come on tell me?

[DeWayne]

The Bush-Cabal has not kept America safe, if you follow the Shadow-gov (like Cheney) back through the last 40-50 years, you discover these radical imbeciles have had a hand in setting up and/or supporting and often training every enemy America has fought in the last 40-50 years.

Name one manufactured Terrorist group we are fighting today, and it is almost certain these are CIA-assets (there is essentially no difference between Pentagon and CIA in this situation) that belong to the demented previously called as Shadow-gov.

This goes back to the "Stay Behind" NATO military, that during the Cold War Western-gov's used (as in Italy) killing their own citizens, and blaming on Communists.

The greatest terrorist threat to America today, are found within our own government.

[cliffstep]

All due respect , but that's an absolute statement , not a "fact that Bushes tough tactics have kept us safe..."
A number of variables may have contributed to this state of safety , and Bush was certainly one of them - for good or bad - but not the only one. Perhaps not even the major variable.
So , you have mis-characterized fact as , what is , for you , truth. Which is subjective.
I hope Obama does cave in to the far left , and doesn't run a country that's in two wars. Or one.

[JinChicago]

were the citizens of new orleans 'safe' during katrina and after?

safety is not just for people who dont want to be hurt by terrorists....

[USAFree1]

Dear Kristen,

I really like and respect you; however, you were a Republican for too long. It's not Democrat President and Congress. It's Democratic President and Congress. Democrat is a noun, and Democratic is an adjective. The term Democrat used as an adjective is a pejorative used by the Republicans to insult us Democrats.

Sincerely and with love,
Kitty Hegemann

[anelder]

This wasn't an english test. At most your response is pompous at least it is foolish.

[mpell]

Apparently the rules of English usage have eluded you. If it were an English test, you wouldn't pass.

Kitty was very politely making a correction. What have you got against accuracy?

[SethBLiNK]

Glad to see you are so steadfastly against torture, Ms. Breitweiser. If that's the case though... why were you so rough on the naming of Panetta as head of the CIA last week. Don't you see that his appointment is a clear signal that torture will no longer be acceptable?

[GreatNews27]

Personally, I'd love to see Bush, Cheney, Addington, Libby, Rice, Tenant, Rumsfeld declared 'enemy combatants' and sent to Gitmo forever. Snap! That's it! Make Gitmo the 'White Collar Crime Colony'. Send Madoff, Cunningham, Abramoff and the rest of the Republican crime family to Gitmo to 'await' trial. A trial in 2042. Perfect!!!

[drock973]

I have a feeling that the Democrats attitude towards executive power is about to change.

[CyrusBeaucephus]

Don't count on it, GOPer. Your intuition doesn't work too well anymore

[DeWayne]

drock973...
I would like to have the same hope (Democrats will change things), however concerning the DEM/GOP Hierarchy that are two cheeks on the same arse, both DEM and GOP parties have been passing along an un-Constitutional "Emergency War Powers" to the Executive-Office for the past 65 years.

Both DEM/GOP Presidents have used this 'Power' for many other things other than making war un-Constitutionally (without Constitutionally Congressional mandated Declaration of war).

The DEM/GOP Presidents using this power to 'make law', and here the Constitution says only Congress has the power to make-law. However as long as both DEM/GOP hierarchy kiss arse, it makes little difference.

[drock973]

You may have misunderstood my comment.

What I'm saying is after years of criticizing Bush/Cheney for expanding and abusing the powers of the executive branch, now that their guy is in there I wouldn't be surprised if they suddenly embrace it.

[klevenstein]

Bravissima!

[JEP57]

If Barack Obama and the Democrats dismantle or weaken things like Homeland Security, the Patriot Act, surveillance on terrorist operatives, and tough interrogation techniques (other than outright torture), and we have another attack on our shores because of it, it won't be good for them. Not only will Obama have a tough time getting re-elected, there could even be a recall petition because Americans won't put up with being unsafe. Trust me on this.

[girlwild]

We don't have "recall petitions," we have elections and impeachment. And if Congress didn't have the cojones to impeach Bush/Cheney et al for shredding the Constitution, then what makes you think that the Congress would impeach Obama? The modern day Congress only impeaches for lying about extramarital sex.

The United States of America is better than any patriot acts, warrantless wiretapping and torture will presume to make us. It's failed US policy and the Bush/Cheney administration will be reviled down through US and world history.

Might does not make right. Repeat as necessary. War is not the answer. Repeat as necessary.

[CyrusBeaucephus]

ha ha I bet you are afraid. Remember that the man is supposed to have palled around with terrorists, eh? We have a long history of "recalling" Presidents, Jethro. Especially those who uphold the Constitution. Yup Yup we sure do, Cletus, I agree with you 100%

[anelder]

When did you stop researching things. "palled around with terrorist(s)"
It was singular terrorist to begin with and down the line this was looked at from all sides and debunked.

You do sound like a true red republican. One who hears a soundbite, that suits you, and runs with it to the bitter end.

[SethBLiNK]

If, if, if, if.

Barack Obama could go AWOL for the next 8 years and be a better President than Bush.

[cliffstep]

I trust you , Jep. Now , let's try exactly that.

[DeWayne]

JEP57
What you are worried about is what the CIA calls "Blow Back", meaning the US-Gov pokes a stick into Third World nations and people's eye's only so long, before one of them gets angry.

Now I believe disbanding the Presidents 'Private Military' (Covert CIA ParaMilitary), and getting Cheneys arse-kissers out of the Pentagon would be a good first step toward peace. Of course the US Corp-Gov would need a little tweaking also, like some very long prison terms.

Believe it or not, the consensus of opinion around the world is not against US citizens (whom they believe the most ignorant in the world), they find the blood-suckers in our Corp-Gov difficult to stomach.

It all comes back to the mentally unbalanced that have manufactured essentially (all) of America's enemies... although 80% importation of all US Consumables from primarily Third World slavery has not made a lot of friends.

[MajorKong]

I happen to like Barak Obama, but I still don't trust him or anyone else to wield the kind of power claimed by the executive branch under Bush/Cheney. It's simply too dangerous.

[vigilantwarrior]

We still don't know what Cheney was doing on 9/11, when or why. The Commission Report (which Cheney did his best to block) makes no sense. Without the tenacity of the Jersey Girls we would lack even that document to compare with reality.

http://michaelfury.wordpress.com/2008/12/18/clock-stoppers/

[vigilantwarrior]

I salute your steadfast moral courage, Ms. Breitweiser.

"Let's see the proof", indeed.

http://michaelfury.wordpress.com/2008/08/16/black-box/