A Nation of Laws, Not Men

I'm headed to the Senate floor right now to speak about startling news from today's newspapers:

The Central Intelligence Agency in 2005 destroyed at least two videotapes documenting the interrogation of two Qaeda operatives in the agency's custody, a step it took in the midst of Congressional and legal scrutiny about its secret detention program, according to current and former government officials.

The videotapes showed agency operatives in 2002 subjecting terrorism suspects -- including Abu Zubaydah, the first detainee in C.I.A. custody -- to severe interrogation techniques. The tapes were destroyed in part because officers were concerned that video showing harsh interrogation methods could expose agency officials to legal risks, several officials said.

The news that these CIA tapes were destroyed came the very same week that we learned that as many as ten million White House emails were not preserved, despite a law that requires that they be kept, and at the same time as the president continued to insist that we grant the phone companies immunity for their role in the illegal wiretapping of American citizens.

I've already introduced the Torture Prevention and Effective Interrogation Act, legislation that requires the Army Field Manual standards to apply to all government interrogations, not only those conducted by the Department of Defense. Today's news is just another reminder that Congress needs to take action immediately to prevent this administration from continuing to make a mockery of our anti-torture laws.

I'm headed to the floor to demand answers. I hope you will demand them as well.

[UPDATE - KENNEDY STAFF]: Senator Kennedy's prepared remarks can be read here.

Comments

[Spartucus]

Dear Sen Kennedy: It seems only average citizens believe this country is about the "rule of law" and not ruled by men. Why else would Nanci Pelosi say that "impeachment" was off the table when she became speaker? Didn't she swear to uphold the consitution? Didn't all of you swear to uphold the consitution? If so, why haven't President Bush and VP Cheney been brought up on charges? Why hasn't Representative Conyers moved on the Kuccinich Impeachment bill? I constantly hear constitutional lawyers and professors from across the political spectrum list all the reasons why Bush and Cheney should be brought up on impeachment charges. It seems like daily there are more actions by these two war criminals that require impeachment hearings. Yet no impeachment hearings?? Same with the immigration issue. You were one of the main actors in formulating the last immigration bill. Perhaps if you and the rest of Congress had actually seen that your bill was enforced, we would not be facing the present immigration fiasco. So, instead of passing even more legislation that won't be enforced, why not start seeing that present laws are enforced. There is something terribly wrong with a nation that will let a president and vice president lie them into a war and not remove them, but throws away the key for some guy who sells pot. It is clear to me the political elite in this country are for the most part hypocrits and cowards. Unfortunately, we the people are complicit as well, as we stopped being citizens and became simply consumers. There are a few brave souls like Dennis Kucinch and a handful of others...but not enough to make a difference.

[rh654]

While, I believe, completely disgusting that they got rid of the taps by doing so there won't be anything leaked to the news and it won't show up on TV.

And without anything to show in TV the story won't go very far.

Besides the Democrats have shown over the last year that they have no guts to do a damn thing so I doubt anyone in the Whitehouse or CIA is staying awake worrying about anything.

[DMSmith]

If you truly believe what you say about being a nation of laws, then act like it.

I M P E A CH N O W ! ! !

[mkelch]

You are one of a handful of true patriots Senator Kennedy. This adminstration has been conveniently atomizing information for years. As to why it has become such a major issue now, I cannot imagine.

We must first face the fact that it is our own ignorance and fear that has allowed the corruption of our democracy. Is anyone honestly suprised that the CIA is destroying evidence of torture? This feigned indignation is almost laughable. The depths of government turpitude are only now beginning to be recognized. We have chosen to ignore them for years and their indifference for human suffering has grown as a result.

To expose and punish them has finally become polically expedient. And I believe we will all be happy when you do. More difficult will be to insure that our political system can never again interfere with this beautiful experiment called democracy. We are still a very young nation and obviously there is a great need for structural improvements.

[Markson]

So I guess the women are exempt from such discussions of impunity? Bastards! Always exempt from discussions of humanity.

/sarcasm

[epmahc]

I can't wait until january 2009 when gwb decides to declare martial law and suspend the election results and tells congress to go home . I see it happening . Do you really think that bush and cheney are going to give up their power to anyone , I seriously doubt it.

[ElkoJohn]

ah Sen. Ted, how 'bout a filibuster of the war funding, and ah, speak to your friend, Nancy P. about putting IMPEACHMENT back on the table (just kiddin' ;~)

[TomR]

----
Today's news is just another reminder that Congress needs to take action immediately to prevent this administration from continuing to make a mockery of our anti-torture laws.

I'm headed to the floor to demand answers.
----

With all due respect Senator Kennedy, why don't you head to the floor and demand impeachment hearings?

Honestly, what will it take for this to happen? Has Bush and Cheney not broken enough laws yet?

If not now, if not with this president and vice president, when would calling for impeachment ever be justified?

- Tom

[opines]

Senator Kennedy knows that the leadership of the Democratic party has been on-board for the invasion/occupation of Iraq and the attempted armed-robbery of its oil resources from its planning to date.

If the Dems continue to provide funding for this criminal, near-genocidal endeavor, why the outrage about destruction of documents?

Until Sen. Kennedy has the courage to call the occupation an ongoing war crime, and those who fund it war criminals, his 'outrage' over destruction of documents rings hollow.

[realpolitic]

If Senator Kennedy thinks we are a nation of laws and not men, he needn't apply for a job in the Bush administration's Department of Justice. There they know Bush and only Bush is the Supreme law of the land. Our great experiment with democracy is either on pause or has ended entirely. Bush asked us for our civil rights and we forfeited them without question. His Office of Legal Counsel said he was above all laws and no one fought back.

[Sundialsvc4]

I am quite sure that if you asked your colleagues in the House to introduce Articles of Impeachment they would do so.

The Constitution, throughout its text, makes it clear that it is framing a "supreme" system of laws for the land. Although the Branches of that government range from more than 500 people to just one, it is clear that here we have a system of Law and "any civil officer" of this government may be expelled from it for material violation of that law.

I agree with my fellow citizens: "Prove it." For once, PROVE it.

[BMSstudy]

A well written and interesting statement from Kennedy. Demanding that this country be run by honest men or stand for laws above their own interests and or desires. I would like to see someone demand the same in the memory of Mary Jo Kopechne.

[PatriotActor]

As long as men fail to enforce the laws, we remain a nation of men.

[FloaterBall]

Senator Kennedy, a voice in the wilderness.

[Benny59]

Senator Kennedy,

I would hope you might have someone from your staff follow the reply string on your post. I have not read it yet and I am sure there will be the ususal cries for impeachment and all that stuff. I HAVE A LEGITIMATE QUESTION:

Has anyone asked if a transcript was taken from the video tapes? Is that also gone?

It seems a transcript is made from everything­...includi­ng CSPAN coverage of a Senator burping...please ask the question.

Thanks