Why didn't the Bush administration and CIA get EXPLICIT approval from Congress?

Enrique

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Fri May-15-09 03:45 PM
Original message

Why didn't the Bush administration and CIA get EXPLICIT approval from Congress?

Everyone is saying Pelosi's actions and non-actions amounts to approval from her.

But no one is claiming that Pelosi ever verbally said "Ok, do it" let alone signed any document, or sent any letter.

If they thought she was cool with it, why not ask her to make it official, so there's no questions later?

My answer is, because they thought she would not sign off on it, or that she might not sign off on it. In other words they felt they didn't have her approval.

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

Warren Stupidity

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Fri May-15-09 03:48 PM
Response to Original message

1. Because that would have been publicly documenting war crimes?

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

Enrique

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Fri May-15-09 03:49 PM
Response to Reply #1

2. they documented their discussions among themselves

the memos for example. Asking Pelosi for the go-ahead wouldn't make a difference for that.

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

Fresh_Start

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Fri May-15-09 03:50 PM
Response to Original message

3. the law requires that select members are briefed

it does not give those members the right to overturn the decisions of the executive branch

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

Warpy

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Fri May-15-09 03:50 PM
Response to Original message

4. Short answer?

They knew they were breaking laws and violating treaties.

They need to be tried and imprisoned. It's the only way we will ever get the rule of law back.

As for the precedent of an incoming administration prosecuting the outgoing one, wouldn't that be an additional check on power?

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

Enrique

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Fri May-15-09 03:53 PM
Response to Reply #4

5. if they knew they were breaking laws, wouldn't they want cover?

wouldn't they want firm proof that the opposition said ok?

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

Warpy

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Fri May-15-09 04:03 PM
Response to Reply #5

6. That's what Addington, Yoo, Gonzales and Bybee were for.

They didn't ask for Congressional support because they knew they were unlikely to get it.

Remember, they wanted to keep this stuff quiet.

The trouble is that it's totally against the character of most of us and the real dirtballs insisted on souvenir photos.

They used the lawyers when the photos started to leak out.

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

DU AdBot (1000+ posts)

Tue May 07th 2024, 03:05 AM
Response to Original message

Advertisements [?]

Top

Powered by DCForum+ Version 1.1 Copyright 1997-2002 DCScripts.com
Software has been extensively modified by the DU administrators

Important Notices: By participating on this discussion board, visitors agree to abide by the rules outlined on our Rules page. Messages posted on the Democratic Underground Discussion Forums are the opinions of the individuals who post them, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Democratic Underground, LLC.