This is so shameful it is beyond description:
"At a hearing today with Attorney General Eric Holder, Republican
members of the Senate Judiciary Committee suggested that any potential
criminal investigation into the CIA's harsh interrogation methods might
not easily be contained.
Both Lamar Alexander of Tennessee and Richard Shelby of Alabama pressed Holder on the CIA's "rendition" program that moved terrorism suspects from one country to another.
Didn't that happen during the Clinton administration?
Yes, Holder said.
"How many did you approve?" they asked.
Holder said he'd check the record.
The clear suggestion was, if any criminal investigation is opened, Republicans would push to get it expanded beyond events during the Bush administration. Alexander, for example, asked several times whether members of Congress, who were told about the interrogation methods, should also be investigated."
Both Lamar Alexander of Tennessee and Richard Shelby of Alabama pressed Holder on the CIA's "rendition" program that moved terrorism suspects from one country to another.
Didn't that happen during the Clinton administration?
Yes, Holder said.
"How many did you approve?" they asked.
Holder said he'd check the record.
The clear suggestion was, if any criminal investigation is opened, Republicans would push to get it expanded beyond events during the Bush administration. Alexander, for example, asked several times whether members of Congress, who were told about the interrogation methods, should also be investigated."
Sorry? Are Alexander/Shelby saying that if you investigate our (Republican's) current crimes, then we will investigate alleged crimes from nearly a decade ago when you (Democrats') had the presidency? Yes, that is exactly what they are saying. Now I have a few questions for Lamar Alexander and for Richard Shelby, who should both be marched out of government and escorted back to whomever is putting pressure on them:
1. If Clinton committed crimes, why did the Republicans not go after him then (aside from the oral sex issue), when he was in office?
2. Are you saying, Mr. Alexander/Mr. Shelby, that the rule of law means that you won't investigate Democrats as long as they don't investigate Republicans?
3. What is your oath of office Mr. Alexander/Mr. Shelby? Do you recall?
4. Where are you willing to draw the line Mr. Alexander/Mr. Shelby? Can we go all the way to Iran Contra as well or further? Or how about BCCI or even to Operation 40? Because I sure as hell don't mind. Let's rip it all open then, shall we? In fact, how about we keep going after the Jack Abramoff scandal which should have nabbed Mr. Shelby already, but for some reason did not (perhaps a Canary had something to do with it?).
2. Are you saying, Mr. Alexander/Mr. Shelby, that the rule of law means that you won't investigate Democrats as long as they don't investigate Republicans?
3. What is your oath of office Mr. Alexander/Mr. Shelby? Do you recall?
4. Where are you willing to draw the line Mr. Alexander/Mr. Shelby? Can we go all the way to Iran Contra as well or further? Or how about BCCI or even to Operation 40? Because I sure as hell don't mind. Let's rip it all open then, shall we? In fact, how about we keep going after the Jack Abramoff scandal which should have nabbed Mr. Shelby already, but for some reason did not (perhaps a Canary had something to do with it?).
If Mr. Holder should find criminal activity on the part of former President Clinton, then so be it. Either we are a nation of laws or we are a failed experiment in democracy.
