Liberal Coalition Says Forget the Truth Commission, Bring on the Special Prosecutor

Source: Talking Points Memo

Liberal Coalition Says Forget the Truth Commission, Bring on the Special Prosecutor
By Elana Schor - February 24, 2009, 10:08AM

Washington has been dominated for weeks by the debate over forming an independent "truth and reconciliation commission" to uncover details about human rights and civil liberties abuses committed during the Bush administration. Prominent Democrats from Sen. Patrick Leahy (VT) to Rep. John Conyers (MI) to Speaker Nancy Pelosi (CA) have indicated their support for the concept.

But one day after Barack Obama's Pentagon was lambasted by human rights groups for reporting that conditions are humane, a coalition of liberal advocacy groups is done with taking it slow. In a statement released this morning, the 20-plus groups ask Attorney General Eric Holder to directly appoint a special prosecutor to probe former Bush administration officials.

It remains to be seen whether today's statement will move minds in Congress, where the "truth commission" plan remains controversial. Still, this call is a perfect illustration of John Judis' recent message to the American left: Expand the playing field, and do not let the White House be the most left-leaning force in the capital.

The full statement is after the jump:

We urge Attorney General Eric Holder to appoint a non-partisan independent Special Counsel to immediately commence a prosecutorial investigation into the most serious alleged crimes of former President George W. Bush, former Vice President Richard B. Cheney, the attorneys formerly employed by the Department of Justice whose memos sought to justify torture, and other former top officials of the Bush Administration.

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Read more: http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/02/liberal-coalition-says-forget-the-truth-commission-bring-on-the-special-prosecutor.php?ref=fp4

http://prosecutebushcheney.org

Here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=5121644&mesg_id=5121644

eom

Commissions have a tendency to become whitewashes.

:dem:

-Laelth

to realize that the Democratic 'leadership' can't reconcile truth with reality; without exposing their complicity.