Some (obviously) forgotten context regarding the release of the additional torture memos

[Solly Mack]

July 17, 2008

Ashcroft Suggests CIA Started Torturing, Then Sought Legal Cover

"But in a House Judiciary Committee hearing on Thursday, former Attorney General John Ashcroft raised the possibility that the CIA started torturing at least one detainee before any of the memos were even written.

If true, that would suggest that the CIA realized that the agency might be breaking the law and sought legal cover after the fact. Attorneys say that, hypothetically, this could make it easier to prosecute those who condoned or conducted the abuse before the torture memos were produced.

Intelligence agents from the United States and Pakistan captured suspected al-Qaida operative Abu Zubaydah on March 28, 2002. According to news accounts and congressional testimony, Zubaydah's interrogation began soon after his capture. His interrogation was reportedly particularly brutal, and he is one of three detainees confirmed to have been waterboarded."

U.S. may have waterboarded detainee before getting legal approval.

Abu Zubaydah and the CIA Tape Destruction

Zubaydah was water-boarded (tortured) a full 5 months BEFORE the Bybee memo giving the CIA "legal" cover.


CIA Videos Predated Bush Legal Memo

CIA admits waterboarding inmates

Waterboarded Gitmo Detainee Lawyers Up

"Meanwhile, in an overseas location, the CIA videotaped Zubaydah's interrogation, which included exposing him to waterboarding -- simulated drowning -- as a method of interrogation.

In 2005, the CIA destroyed the videotapes, an action currently under investigation by a U.S. attorney at the Department of Justice. "




The torture came first. Even if someone wanted to promote the bullshit excuse of "I was just following orders"....the torture came before the memos. The CIA was torturing people BEFORE the memos were written. So anyone claiming the CIA was only acting on what they were told was legal is - not exactly telling the truth.

NO (quasi, bullshit) LEGAL COVER.

Research it yourself. The torture came first.