Note how he calls it a Truth Commission, not a fact finding mission. There's a big difference between truth and fact. Everyone has his or her view of the truth based upon his or her opinions, beliefs, and feelings whereas facts are indisputable. So Patrick Leahy is out to find what he can in order to prove his truth, not to clarify facts. And he writes about his quest to find his truth in...wait for it...The Huffington Post. You can't be surprised:
We have just emerged from a time when White House officials often acted as if they were above the law. That was wrong and must be fully exposed so it never happens again.
Wait a minute. Is he serious? We've got Tax Cheat Geithner as head of the Treasury, and Barack Obama nominated a number of other tax cheats to cabinet posts before they had to bow out for breaking the law, yet here Leahy says we need a truth commission because the Bush Administration acted like it was above the law? What gall.
The Huffington Post community and the netroots played a vital role pursuing, demanding, and exposing the Bush-Cheney administration's numerous abuses. But there's still more we don't know, and more we must uncover, about the misdeeds of the past eight years.That is why I proposed the idea of a truth and reconciliation commission to investigate abuses during the Bush-Cheney administration. These abuses may include the use of torture, warrantless wiretapping, extraordinary rendition, and executive override of laws.
Wait again. This is ridiculous. We already know Barack Obama is continuing the use of extraordinary rendition, so why is Leahy griping about Bush? As for warrantless wiretapping, I haven't heard that Obama has ordered a halt to the terrorist surveillance program. And as for executive override of laws, give Obama time.
I have set up a petition at BushTruthCommission.com, and I hope you will sign it to urge Congress to consider establishing a truth and reconciliation commission to investigate the Bush-Cheney administration's abuses. We already have over 7,000 signatures, but we need to hit 10,000 signatures -- or more -- by next week, to build momentum behind this idea.
It is an idea that will cost more money we don't have to find a "truth" that is as partisan as the day is long.
Comments (18)
I'd like to second what <a ... (Below threshold)1. Posted by Peter F. | February 12, 2009 7:10 PM | Score: 12 (12 votes cast)
I'd like to second what Mr. Cheney said to Sen. Leahy a couple of years ago...
Oh, and tell Leahy how he can use his little Truth Commission to achieve that end.
1. Posted by Peter F. | February 12, 2009 7:10 PM |
Score: 12 (12 votes cast)
Posted on February 12, 2009 19:10
2. Posted by JLawson | February 12, 2009 7:16 PM | Score: 11 (11 votes cast)
Real bad idea, IMHO.
Look - every President is going to do something that isn't going to be popular. After Obama's tenure, are the same folks looking to roast Bush going to be willing to have a 'Truth Commission' on our economic problems, with an emphasis on how Obama's choices affected the issue? Or what if we get another 9/11, Obama goes to war - will there be a groundswell of support to impeach or 'investigate' him afterwards?
This is setting a really questionable precedent.
2. Posted by JLawson | February 12, 2009 7:16 PM |
Score: 11 (11 votes cast)
Posted on February 12, 2009 19:16
3. Posted by sam | February 12, 2009 7:21 PM | Score: 11 (11 votes cast)
Maybe the "Truth Commission" will also look into what Bill Clinton and his cohorts did.
3. Posted by sam | February 12, 2009 7:21 PM |
Score: 11 (11 votes cast)
Posted on February 12, 2009 19:21
4. Posted by Marc | February 12, 2009 7:32 PM | Score: 9 (11 votes cast)
Remind me again who it was that voted FOR the latest version (2006) of the Patriot Act that will ultimately end up being part of this "investigation?"
Ah, screw it to hell with the suspense, it was Barack Hussein Obama.
4. Posted by Marc | February 12, 2009 7:32 PM |
Score: 9 (11 votes cast)
Posted on February 12, 2009 19:32
5. Posted by Marc | February 12, 2009 7:34 PM | Score: 9 (11 votes cast)
P.S.
Bring it on Leaky Leahy.
5. Posted by Marc | February 12, 2009 7:34 PM |
Score: 9 (11 votes cast)
Posted on February 12, 2009 19:34
6. Posted by sam | February 12, 2009 7:38 PM | Score: 10 (10 votes cast)
Here's another of those "torture" thingys that the leftist traitors keep yapping about - extraordinary rendition.
Remind me again who started the practice. Let's go to the ACLU fact-sheet to find the answer:
"Beginning in the early 1990s and continuing to this day, the Central Intelligence Agency, together with other U.S. government agencies, has utilized an intelligence-gathering program involving the transfer of foreign nationals suspected of involvement in terrorism to detention and interrogation in countries where -- in the CIA's view -- federal and international legal safeguards do not apply. Suspects are detained and interrogated either by U.S. personnel at U.S.-run detention facilities outside U.S. sovereign territory or, alternatively, are handed over to the custody of foreign agents for interrogation. In both instances, interrogation methods are employed that do not comport with federal and internationally recognized standards. This program is commonly known as "extraordinary rendition."
The current policy traces its roots to the administration of former President Bill Clinton. "
6. Posted by sam | February 12, 2009 7:38 PM |
Score: 10 (10 votes cast)
Posted on February 12, 2009 19:38
7. Posted by sam | February 12, 2009 7:39 PM | Score: 7 (7 votes cast)
This is another of the fund-raising ploys of Pat Leahy. Keep those moveon dollars flowing.
7. Posted by sam | February 12, 2009 7:39 PM |
Score: 7 (7 votes cast)
Posted on February 12, 2009 19:39
8. Posted by GarandFan | February 12, 2009 7:52 PM | Score: 7 (7 votes cast)
I hope Leahy goes full bore on his "Truth Commission". The backlash is going to be huge.
8. Posted by GarandFan | February 12, 2009 7:52 PM |
Score: 7 (7 votes cast)
Posted on February 12, 2009 19:52
9. Posted by RobBert | February 12, 2009 8:07 PM | Score: 7 (7 votes cast)
There seems to be no checking for valid email addresses or names at the sign the petition page (Probably the same setup Obama used for donations).
Go get 'em
9. Posted by RobBert | February 12, 2009 8:07 PM |
Score: 7 (7 votes cast)
Posted on February 12, 2009 20:07
10. Posted by Michael Laprarie | February 12, 2009 8:31 PM | Score: 5 (7 votes cast)
Troof Commission.
10. Posted by Michael Laprarie | February 12, 2009 8:31 PM |
Score: 5 (7 votes cast)
Posted on February 12, 2009 20:31
11. Posted by Justice58 | February 12, 2009 8:45 PM | Score: -7 (9 votes cast)
Bring on investigations...
11. Posted by Justice58 | February 12, 2009 8:45 PM |
Score: -7 (9 votes cast)
Posted on February 12, 2009 20:45
12. Posted by HughS | February 12, 2009 8:57 PM | Score: 5 (7 votes cast)
That was wrong and must be fully exposed so it never happens again.
You can't make this stuff up.
When will Senator Countrywide set up the Truth Commission for the paperwork on his mortgage that he promised us last year? Sounds like he needs some extraordinary rendition to motivate him.
Good post Kim.
12. Posted by HughS | February 12, 2009 8:57 PM |
Score: 5 (7 votes cast)
Posted on February 12, 2009 20:57
13. Posted by GarandFan | February 12, 2009 9:37 PM | Score: 4 (4 votes cast)
Since Leahy is going to all this expense on the taxpayers dime, I hope he has the integrity to at least have some real kangaroos in his court.
13. Posted by GarandFan | February 12, 2009 9:37 PM |
Score: 4 (4 votes cast)
Posted on February 12, 2009 21:37
14. Posted by Brian | February 12, 2009 9:56 PM | Score: -7 (9 votes cast)
Everyone has his or her view of the truth based upon his or her opinions, beliefs, and feelings
Jeez, did Stephen Colbert pay you to write that? This is your attempt at comedy, right?
14. Posted by Brian | February 12, 2009 9:56 PM |
Score: -7 (9 votes cast)
Posted on February 12, 2009 21:56
15. Posted by epador | February 12, 2009 10:30 PM | Score: 5 (5 votes cast)
The new McCarthyism.
15. Posted by epador | February 12, 2009 10:30 PM |
Score: 5 (5 votes cast)
Posted on February 12, 2009 22:30
16. Posted by LiberalNitemare | February 12, 2009 10:38 PM | Score: 8 (8 votes cast)
Thing about democrats is they never look past the next three days when they try to judge the impact of these things.
If there is a "truth" commision for the Bush administration - you can bet your free condoms theres gonna be a truth commision for the Obama administration.
Who do you think will come out of it better?
16. Posted by LiberalNitemare | February 12, 2009 10:38 PM |
Score: 8 (8 votes cast)
Posted on February 12, 2009 22:38
17. Posted by ODA315 | February 13, 2009 2:13 AM | Score: 4 (4 votes cast)
I wonder if the commission will investigate a certain senator who divulged the name of an intel asset resulting in their death?
What do you say SENATOR Leahy?
PLEASE get your commission together ASAP and get to work.
17. Posted by ODA315 | February 13, 2009 2:13 AM |
Score: 4 (4 votes cast)
Posted on February 13, 2009 02:13
18. Posted by WildWillie | February 13, 2009 7:17 AM | Score: 0 (2 votes cast)
I am a very strong conservative and I want this. I am sure there are just as many democratic leaders that have been involved in every move and aspect of the GWOT and Iraq. So, Leaky should watch out, he is about to expose, again, the complicity of his leaders. ww
18. Posted by WildWillie | February 13, 2009 7:17 AM |
Score: 0 (2 votes cast)
Posted on February 13, 2009 07:17