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Friday, May 15, 2009

TORTURE AND PELOSI

Sometimes listening to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi can be torture. It is right now as she tries to explain what the CIA did or did not tell her about torture policy or practice. She says that she was not briefed about actual use. The Republicans are trying to make a big deal about her supposed knowledge of the use of torture. However, what difference does it make?

Torture is a crime. It is a violation of our treaty obligations. We engaged in torture. The only question is who should be held to account and to what extent.

Whether Ms. Pelosi knew of actual or only intended use is of no consequence. Whatever the Republicans think she should have done about torture applies in either case.

Too bad all of this distracts from the important Obama agenda items such as health care reform and economic and energy issues. But as the Republicans push this diversion, thinking that somehow inaction by Pelosi excuses their defense of torture, they are just prolonging their losing strategy of defending actions that are against American values and against the law.

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