Bush Could Pardon Spies Involved in Torture

[tekisui]

Senior intelligence officers are lobbying the outgoing president to look after the men and women who could face charges for following his orders in the war on terrorism.

Many fear that Barack Obama, who has pledged to close the Guantanamo Bay detention camp and put an end to the policy of extraordinary rendition, could launch a legal witch hunt against those who oversaw the policies after he is sworn in on Jan 20.

Most vulnerable are US intelligence officers who took part in intensive interrogations against terrorist suspects, using techniques including water boarding, which many believe crossed the line into torture.

A former CIA officer familiar with the backstage lobbying for pardons, said: "These are the people President Bush asked to fight the war on terror for him. He gave them the green light to fight tough. The view of many in the intelligence community is that he should not leave them vulnerable to legal censure when he leaves.

"An effort is under way to get pre-emptive pardons. The White House has indicated that the matter is under consideration."

In addition to frontline CIA and military officers, others at risk could include David Addington, Dick Cheney's former counsel, and William Haynes, the former Pentagon general counsel who helped draw up the regulations governing enhanced interrogations.

more...

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/barackobama/3464442/George-W-Bush-could-pardon-spies-involved-in-torture.html

[windy252]

1. Here it comes n/t

[pocoloco]

2. Duh......

Wonder if that would help the spineless dumb fucks realize how important impeachment was!!

[TankLV]

3. It would be "JUSTICE" not "a witch hunt"...!!!

Why is it always a "witch hunt" to prosecute REPUKE CRIMINALS?!!!

[FarCenter]

4. This is the reason that there is no need to legalize torture

If there really is a genuine need to do it (the hypothetical ticking nuclear bomb scenario), the agents can torture the suspect.

If they are considered to have done what was necessary and in the national interest, the president can pardon the agents.

[Swamp Rat]

5. There is NEVER "a genuine need" to torture because it simply does not work.

[Lil Missy]

6. Oh, "witch hunt" my ass.

I think this is just a diversion to cover asses at the top, where the responsibility really belongs.

And the sad truth is that bush is so unpopular and disgraced that he has nothing to lose now, and will probably grant the sweeping pardons.

Worst fuckin' President in history, and the most criminal and crooked.