Poppy Bush Not Joining Other DCIs Opposing Investigation of W Bush’s Torture

[kpete]

Poppy Bush Not Joining Other DCIs Opposing Investigation of W Bush’s Torture
By: emptywheel Friday September 18, 2009 1:10 pm

There are a number of fascinating details in this letter from seven former living CIA Directors opposing DOJ's torture investigation--starting with the fact that Poppy is one of just two living CIA heads who didn't sign (the others are Carter's Stansfield Turner and close Poppy ally Robert Gates who, as Secretary of Defense, also has to weigh how our torture puts service men and women at risk). (h/t Ambinder)

Michael Hayden
Porter Goss
George Tenet
John Deutch
R. James Woolsey
William Webster
James R. Schlesinger

But that's not all.

Note that these men are asking the President to intervene in a DOJ investigation.

***We respectfully urge you to exercise your authority to reverse Attorney General Holder’s August 24 decision to re-open the criminal investigation of CIA interrogations that took place following the attacks of September 11.

They're not asking Obama to pardon those CIA officers under investigation, which would be a proper request of the President; they're asking Obama to spike an investigation the Attorney General has deemed necessary. They are, in short, asking for legal process to be set aside for, ultimately, a political decision.

more:
http://emptywheel.firedoglake.com/2009/09/18/poppy-bush-not-joining-other-dcis-opposing-investigation-of-w-bushs-torture/

.........................

DOJ Defends Torture Probe
By Spencer Ackerman 9/18/09 4:15 PM

Just after the release of the ex-CIA directors’ letter condemning Attorney General Eric Holder’s torture inquiry, here comes this statement from Justice Department spokesman Matthew Miller:



The Attorney General works closely with the men and the women of intelligence community to keep the American people safe and he does not believe their commitment to conduct that important work will waver in any way.

Given the recommendation from the Office of Professional Responsibility as well as other available information, he believed the appropriate course of action was to ask John Durham to conduct a preliminary review. That review will be narrowly-focused and will be conducted by a career prosecutor who has shown an ability to handle cases involving classified information. Durham has not been appointed as a special prosecutor; he will be supervised by senior managers at the Department.

The Attorney General’s decision to order a preliminary review into this matter was made in line with his duty to examine the facts and to follow the law. As he has made clear, the Department of Justice will not prosecute anyone who acted in good faith and within the scope of the legal guidance given by the Office of Legal Counsel regarding the interrogation of detainees.

http://washingtonindependent.com/60087/doj-defends-torture-probe

[spanone]

1. these guys got some balls...makes me think they're all guilty

[Old and In the Way]

2. It must be pretty bad when such a defense of crimes is made.

I suspect that they fear an independent investigation will lead directly back to the WH. While Poppy may not have signed it, he probably dictated the letter himself. He's got a legacy to worry about.

[aquart]

3. Tell them to read the constitution BEFORE they use it for toilet paper.

Makes a lot more sense that way.

[blm]

4. Poppy NEVER highlights his CIA biz...and... these guys WORKED for him the last 40 years.

Still are.