GOP beats back sneak attack on CIA interrogators
Earlier today while the nation was focused on health care Oba-Kabuki, Andy McCarthy sounded the alarm on a Democrat sneak attack on CIA interrogators:
The Obama Democrats have outdone themselves.
While the country and the Congress have their eyes on today’s dog-and-pony show on socialized medicine, House Democrats last night stashed a new provision in the intelligence bill which is to be voted on today. It is an attack on the CIA: the enactment of a criminal statute that would ban “cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment.”
The provision is impossibly vague — who knows what “degrading” means? Proponents will say that they have itemized conduct that would trigger the statute (I’ll get to that in a second), but it is not true. The proposal says the conduct reached by the statute “includes but is not limited to” the itemized conduct. (My italics.) That means any interrogation tactic that a prosecutor subjectively believes is “degrading” (e.g., subjecting a Muslim detainee to interrogation by a female CIA officer) could be the basis for indicting a CIA interrogator.
The act goes on to make it a crime to use tactics that have been shown to be effective in obtaining life saving information and that are far removed from torture.
Well, House Republicans were on the ball and tonight, they forced the intel bill that contained the stealth measure to be pulled:
A controversial bill that would have levied criminal punishments on intelligence officers for harsh interrogations was pulled Thursday evening.
House Republicans charged Democrats with trying to sneak a provision into the intelligence authorization bill that would establish criminal punishment for CIA agents and other intelligence officials who engage in “cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment” during interrogations.
Democrats inserted an 11-page addition into the bill late Wednesday night as the House Rules Committee considered the legislation.
The provision, previously not vetted in committee, applied to “any officer or employee of the intelligence community” who during interrogations engages in beatings, infliction of pain or forced sexual acts. The bill said the acts covered by the provision would include inducing hypothermia, conducting mock executions or “depriving the [detainee] of necessary food, water, sleep, or medical care.”
The language gave Congress the discretion to determine what the terms mean, and it would have imposed punishments of up to 15 years in prison, and in some cases, life sentences if a detainee died as a result of the interrogation.
Republicans criticized the language and the way it was introduced.
“This will fundamentally change the nature of the intelligence community by creating a criminal statute governing interrogations,” said Rep. Pete Hoesktra (R-Mich.).
He added that it had appeared “out of nowhere” in a manager’s amendment.
The Dems lied, transparency died.
Shout about this one from the rooftops.
And hey, you remember that White House Chief Technology Officer who dared Tea Party activists to challenge the Democrats on transparency? Let’s see a blog post condemning these backroom, disclosure-undermining tactics on the White House blog, shall we?
***
GOP Rep. Pete Hoekstra comments here.
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Looks like Republicans are finally singing for their supper!
You bet!
The “I hate America” democrats are becoming quite obnoxious and tedious. It’s good to see the beltway GOP members have awakened. There is hope for them yet…
The Dems have become a subversive party…sounds like Rahm Emanuel and BHO.
Yes there is hope, but remember, this is the house. these people are in constant campaign mode, they serve two year terms. If they did this out of conviction, then great. If they did this out of “I need to save my job”, which is what 99% of the a$$hats ruling us do, then thanks, but go get a real job give up all of your lifetime perks and get back to me when you think losing as much money to the government as the working stiffs do is a good thing.
We have witnessed the emergence of a very effective generation of new Republican leaders. Unfortunately, we will be forced to do some nasty GOP corruptosaur slaying in November to clear the leadership decks ourselves so that they can ascend to the leadership where they belong. The Gangs of McCain are like a bad disease.
Suddenly, 2012 is looking better. But we are going to have to find our resolve to beat back the Bennetts, Levins and Hannitys who are suddenly obsessed with us “GOP-haters”. They’ll just have to make new friends.
To those of you in the “Intelligence Community”, who are out there “DOING” what needs to be done, there ARE Americans here at home trying, as best we can, to cover you backs!
Thank you and God bless each and every one!
Obama should have another summit to discuss. He has his poses already planned, including the thoughtful one with his middle finger scratching his face.
Maybe the venue should be at Gitmo,inviting the radical Islamic terrorists who want to kill us. Oh, wait, he never says the two words:”radical Islam” and rarely the dreaded word, “terrorist.”
Thank God for men like Andrew McCarthy.
*Remember, the Democrat Party is the “Death to America” Party, and they prove it day after day after day; Don’t tell them, but there is a stealth party awaiting them in the primaries and in November, and yes, it will be torture for them, as they join the ranks of the unemployed.
There is a difference between Republicans and Democrats. Let’s encourage the Republicans to make that difference larger. Much larger.
There is a difference between the two parties.
One is erratic; the other hostile. One can be the ship of fools; the other is the confirmed Domestic Enemy.
One may be salvaged. The other must be hammered down on their knees in November, and once there, kept there.
“There are a few bad Republicans, and no good democrats.”
Wisdom.
Repeat after me…Democrats can’t be trusted with national security. Repeat again. And again. And again. And…
So a bunch of left wing jihadi sympathizers in Congress would have determined whether Abdul had enough sleep or not, and prosecute any who denied fluffing his pillow?
And they whine about being painted as weak on security?
I blame this squarely on the American press. Bad Government can only stand in the dark, day light would destroy it.
We are certainly in need of a shakeup at the CIA, but not the field officers that are vital to our security.
Like the Washington DC civil service, the CIA is filled with left-leaning democrats, many of which were appointees.
These bureaucrats decide where the intelligence dollar goes, and what is deemed important.
“Democrats” does not cut it.
I want the names of the people who inserted the provision.
Shine a light on them. November is coming……
Why? Democrats fits just fine. Even if they were not the actual ones who inserted it, they still support the intent.
Ammo for the person running against them in the Fall.
National Security is a winner in many places.
WOW, good for them. Looks like a small spine may be slowly growing.
Another strangely missing segment from nine out of ten MSM outlets.
Exactly right. I’m sure Paris Hilton found her stint in jail without MTV to be cruel, prison food inhuman, and the prison jumpsuit extremely degrading. Muslim extremists, who stop breathing during waterboarding and have to be revived, would probably consider the mouth-to-mouth resuscitation that was used to save their lives as the most degrading part of the whole experience.
Democrats love to put vague language in their bills. This is so they can condemn members of Republican administrations while exonerating Democrats who do the same thing. It sure works for congressional ethics rules.
Vague laws are unfortunately the order of the day in this country.
You would think that if you were going to charge someone with a criminal offense, it should have to be made abundantly clear what constitutes an offense.
RWR
http://www.rightwingrocker.com
Either party could completely stomp the other permanently by becoming the party of the Constitution and making it stick.
Furthermore, if another party does ultimately rise up from this foolishness, its success will be largely determined by the degree to which it stands on the Constitution.
RWR
http://www.rightwingrocker.com
This sounds like a reincarnation of the Church Committee.
Like I say, the intell services can use my bathtub anytime if our sheltered clueless Congress ever nixes waterboarding.
I wish there was a “MilBlog” web site which dealt with our intelligence agencies so I can post my expressions of deep appreciation for these unsung shadow heroes.
James Greenidge
Queens NY
Whoever drafted that provision and those that approved of it/signed off on it are people who hate the United States of America. They need to be exposed for being part of the terrorist ignoramuses. We have to get these people out of office. If they want to protect terrorists go live with them and be a shield for them. PLEASE!
Just like Islam isn’t a religion of peace, but an idealogy bent on destroying western culture, the liberal Democrats are an un-patriotic wing in this country also bent on destroying the American way of life.
Both should be treated as enemies of the state.
incredible. Haven’t any democrats been killed by terroists?
Why do dumb-old-craps hate this country so much?
I am all for extending my right hand in a geture of peace. That’s the Christian thing to do. However, it works much better if you’re holding a .357 magnum in your left hand.
I do not know but it seems to be in their very DNA-from birth they are an unhappy, bitter lot. That there are people who think we can “reach” them and make compromises baffles me even more.
THIS is who they are and what they think:
Nice choice of backup plan there tre
The Reps made a reasonsble argument and the Dems responded by doing the correct thing. That does not eliminate the crassness and wrongness of the late insertion of additional provisions into a bill.
Part of the problem is our system allows managers to do such things. This is how earmarks get into bills, as well.
What’s the problem? Find and engage “moderate” Taliban/al Qaeda – offer them a new energy efficient Chevy if they’ll play nice – “Peace in our time!” (Moderate being the ones who don’t behead and urinate on their enemy’s corpses)
OT – From TMZ this a.m.
Nice. Better get a real job there, Studley Dooright.
I watched some of the statements on the floor of the senate on this. The righteous indignation by the democrats is truly hard to listen to as it is all but puke inducing. These people are as twisted as it gets. As one republican senator put it, dems have forgotten who the good guys are, and who the bad guys are. A terrorist gets taxpayer funded attorneys and Miranda rights, while a CIA interrogator doing his job in good faith can get 15 years in prison exploiting a terrorist’s phobia???????! It gives people with common sense vertigo.
Is this H.R.2701? If so, there’s more that should be scrutinized.
This is why I was baffled at Beck’s CPAC speech. Are there issues with the GOP? Of course; however, the stark differences on matters of national security are worthy of mentioning.
Imagine showing up for a street rumble and your backup or “friends” are only there to be witnesses for the rival gang!
My government is absolutely out of its mind!
It should be degrading to the terrorists to know that Nancy Pelosi is fighting their battles for them!
On February 25th, 2010 at 10:26 pm, hunter said:
“a$$hats ruling us”
speak for yourself hunter…
This points out in sharp contrast, the difference between conservatives and progressives! And progressives aren’t looking too good right now…in fact, they are looking even sleazier than ever! A bunch of evil, corrupt, lying, cheating fools who want to destroy our ability to defend ourselves against a hideous enemy. I am definitely seeing a glimmer of hope in the GOP currently in Congress! If they keep this up until November, they might just keep their jobs! I think they know that. Perhaps it is the threat hanging over their heads that is putting them back on track. Whatever the reason, they need to stay true to the conservative values and continue to represent THE PEOPLE!!
I want these mooslum-loving a-holes dragged out of congress in handcuffs. This crap has to stop! They will get someone killed. If it has to happen, I hope it is one of their loved ones, not one of ours. Enough said.
Yes it does! And it is setting up this country the way the stupidity of the Clinton administration did, with the likes of Gorelick, et.al., that lead to no intel before 9/11.
And I agree with Flyoverman. I want the names of these scums so they have to answer for this on the campaign trail.
Who put this in the bill? I would like names to go after,for nov.
I’m suffering a little cognitive dissonance here. Was it really Democrats that were in charge during WWII, and that passed the National Security Act of 1947 that created, among other things, the CIA? Was that an anomaly, or did they change to America-hating subversives since then?
Every morning when I wake up, it takes just a couple minutes before I am hit yet again with the realization that our government has been taken over by radicals who want to destroy our beautiful way of life. Every day. I try to forget, and for a few hours each night, I am able to. But reality hits again in the morning. In spite of that, I thank God every day that there are millions of true Patriots out there who are fighting for us. Michelle Malkin is one of those patriots! And WE are some of those patriots!! I saw four young women on Greta last night who are from the Tea Party, representing various parts of the country. They were amazing!! These beautiful, conservative, articulate, highly intelligent women are our hope for the future and I believe we are in good hands. Keep praying folks. God IS listening!
JFK, by today’s liberal standards, would have been considered well right of Joe Lieberman. Dems lost their collective minds starting in the late 60′s. Now the 60′s flower children have grown up (ie: meaning they have gotten older, not matured) we are all the worse off for it. I caught a few clips of the movie “Woodstock” last night, and thought I saw Nazi Pelosi, and Barbara “Call me Senator mo-fo!” Boxer in their younger days (they weren’t cute then either), saying how the bands were groovy as they took another bong hit.
Off-topic, and I apologize, but where the heck is Al Gore? I am serious. Has anyone heard from him? With another monster snow storm hitting the east coast, I can’t help wondering about manbearpig and what he is doing.
Hear, hear!
Lying to Apple Shareholders, last I read.
http://news.cnet.com/8301-31021_3-10459872-260.html
Thanks for the information! Very interesting…I can see why he is basically “hiding”. Glad to hear some people are calling him out!! This will get worse for him.
All those drugs destroyed millions of brain cells and now we have the results currently serving in the WH. That is why there is no sense to anything they do. THEIR BRAINS ARE FRIED!!.
It was Jim McDermott of WA.
The real travesty is that Rush has likely incited sales of Macs ten-fold over anything Gore has, yet Steve Jobs won’t give Rush the time of day, much less a thanks.
James Greenidge
Queens NY
sneaky, lying bastard dems!
Yes, the only problem with the provision was the fact that it was inserted late.
Your timeline of events somehow misses the whole point of this post.
Good grief, you served a red wine with the chicken – you will fry for that mister!
Just called Hoekstra’s office 202-225-4401 to urge him to publicize the names of all involved.