Was John Yoo Free-Lancing When He Approved the "Legal Principles"?
John Yoo bought off on the unsigned bullet points expanding legal approval for torture. But Jack Goldsmith made it clear to CIA that his approval did not equate to OLC approval.
Ashcroft versus CIA
John Ashcroft, like much of Congress, claims that CIA made false claims about the extent of his briefing.
Condi's Okay Came After OLC Approval
When Condi approved torture on July 17, 2002, John Yoo had already given John Rizzo a two-page letter broadly excusing torture.
Those Undated "Legal Principles"
The "legal principles" authorizing torture evolved in some interesting ways over time.
Abu Zubaydah's Psychological Profile
Abu Zubaydah's psychological profile was a complete whitewash of his condition. Surprise.
Where Is the "Legal Principles" Document?
The IG Report refers to a document called, "Legal Principles Applicable to CIA Detention and Interrogation of Captured al-Qa'ida Personnel." It's a critical document in the torture regime. But we've never seen it.
Societe Nationale Industrielle Aerospatiale, Or the Geneva Convention
ACLU releases the last of today's document dump.
Feinstein Issues Statement On IG; Misunderstands Army Field Manual
Senator Dianne Feinstein of California has issued an official statement "On Release of Documents Related to CIA Interrogation and Detention Program and Renewed Commitment to Army Field Manual Standard for Interrogations".
Cheney's Cherry-Pick
The two documents that Cheney wanted liberated sure do read like propaganda pieces.
IG Report: Working Thread
Spencer and the Windy have posted the documents.
Holder Announces the Investigation
And notes some will be unhappy that he has initiated the review. But doesn't consider those of us who smell a whitewash.
Durham to be Torture Special Prosecutor
Eric Holder will appoint John Durham as Special Prosecutor.
Panetta's Threats
Yet more rumors that Panetta is on his way out.
Reposted: The CIA IG Report's "Other" Contents
In preparation of today's IG Report release, I'm re-posting two of my earlier posts describing what we already know is in the report.
Reposted: The CIA IG Report on the Inefficacy of Torture
A re-post of my June post describing what we already know the CIA IG Report says about the inefficacy of torture.
Better than Clearing Brush ... Getting HELP from Kennedy?
Politico says it's not going to happen. But if Obama were to meet with Kennedy, it would provide a great opportunity for Kennedy to kick Obama's ass. And for Obama to pivot strategies and embrace the public option he has been promising all along.
Is DOJ Withholding the OPR Report Tomorrow to Frame a White-Wash Investigation?
Why isn't the OPR report on the list of documents to be released tomorrow?
Jello Jay Gets Into the Act
Following up on Henry Waxman's attempt to gather information, Jello Jay has started seeking info on the insurance industry as well.
Will the Release of SpecialOps Detainee Names to ICRC End our Policy of Disappearances?
DOD has changed their policies on detainees, which at least on paper means detainees can be kept in Special Operations camps for just two weeks before they will be identified to the Red Cross.
Republicans Are Really Good at Clearing Brush
If you follow me on twitter, you know that I've been anticipating the Republican attack on the Obama vacation by pointing out what Bush was doing 8 years ago (ignoring the PDB) or Cheney was doing 7 (claiming Iraq was close to having nukes). So I want to give Andrea Mitchell kudos for--as I hoped reporters would do yesterday--calling out this bogus attack.