GOPers Pull Out of Senate Intel Committee’s CIA Torture Investigation

[babylonsister]

:wow:

Is this their version of stamping their feet when they don't get their way? Now they can't criticize because they won't be part of the process. :nopity:

http://washingtonindependent.com/60963/gopers-pull-out-of-senate-intel-committees-cia-torture-investigation

GOPers Pull Out of Senate Intel Committee’s CIA Torture Investigation
By Spencer Ackerman 9/25/09 2:22 PM


Just announced by committee chairwoman Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.):

“I very much regret the fact that the Republican side of the Intelligence Committee has chosen not to continue to participate in the Committee’s study and investigation into the detention and interrogation of high-value detainees. However, that study and investigation is being pursued, additional staff are being hired, and the Committee is continuing the work with all due diligence.”

For a not-yet-online CQ piece, Tim Starks reports that Feinstein’s Republican counterpart, Kit Bond (R-Mo.), says the GOP pullout comes in protest of Attorney General Eric Holder’s decision to investigate torture in the now-defunct Bush-era CIA “enhanced interrogation” program:

“Had Mr. Holder honored the pledge made by the president to look forward not backwards, we would still be active participants in the committee’s review,” Missouri Republican Christopher S. Bond, vice-chairman of the Senate panel, said in an e-mailed statement. “Instead, DOJ sent a loud and clear message that previous decisions to decline prosecution mean nothing and old criminal charges can be brought anytime against anyone — against these odds, what current or former CIA employee would be willing to gamble his freedom by answering the committee’s questions?”

By definition, then, the Senate panel will produce a partisan report. But Bond has just forfeited his right to complain about that.

[polichick]

1. Guess they're afraid of what's being discovered. Too bad. nt

[zbdent]

10. no, it's a move which will allow them to claim that it was a partisan witch hunt

which fabricated the evidence of torture (which it won't) ...

and thus, it will be another tool for them to say that "we" never got over Bush being president, and that we hate America and want it to suffer yet another (Bush failure) terrorist attack ...

[MineralMan]

2. Good riddance to bad rubbish, I say.

Let them sulk in the corner until they come to reason.

[babylonsister]

3. I'm shocked. You know they will still kvetch, but no one has to listen to

them now. :shrug:

[MineralMan]

5. Well, they're morons. Nobody ever thought they were very bright.

I guess they think their absence will have some effect other than what's predictable. Dumbasses, each and all.

[malaise]

11. plus one

Fugg them

[Blue Meany]

4. Now they will say it's a partisan investigation without any

Republican input...

[Tippy]

15. I am sure they will do just that but voters seem to be paying a little more attention

This may backfire on them...letters to the editor ...asking why Republicans are shirking their duty might be be helpful...

[TheCoxwain]

6. I hope their peers in the finance committee follow suit ... and get out of the way

[williesgirl]

7. Will they also give back part of their salary since they're refusing to serve? rec'd

[babylonsister]

8. There's a good point; this is their job, yet they're refusing to do it.

How many times for the past 8 years did Dems have to stick around to vote on something repulsive?

[damntexdem]

9. Maybe they had a conflict of interest.

If they were in on the torture, it wouldn't be right for them to stay on the committee. ;-)

[babylonsister]

16. THAT doesn't sound far-fetched at all! nt

[Ruby the Liberal]

12. Does this mean that they are no longer privvy to the meetings?

I don't trust this...

[tanyev]

13. Good. That will make it easier to get something done.

[POAS]

14. Make it a real protest, leave the Senate completely!