Nadler: Obama’s Torture Comments Prove Probe Is Required By Law

[kpete]

Source: The Plum Line

The Plum LineGreg Sargent's blog
Nadler: Obama’s Torture Comments Prove Probe Is Required By Law

First up: Dem Rep Jerrold Nadler, who just told me in an interview that Obama’s comments leave the administration only one legal option: Investigate, and if necessary, prosecute.

“President Obama said, `They used torture, I believe waterboarding is torture,’” Nadler said, speaking of Obama’s comments about his predecessors. “Once you concede that torture was committed, the law requires that there be an investigation, and if warranted, a prosecution.”

Nadler and other House Dems have already called on the Attorney General to appoint a special prosecutor to look into potential torture crimes. Yesterday’s comments from Obama, Nadler says, make it clearer still that this is the only legal path open to the administration — in part because Obama seemed to acknowledge that his predecessors had violated “international law.”

“The president stated in so many words: Waterboarding is torture, the previous administration has admitted that it waterboarded, and torture is a violation of international law,” Nadler said. “Once this is admitted, there must be an investigation. It forces the Justice Department on this path.”


Read more: http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/probes-of-bush-administration/nadler-obamas-torture-comments-prove-probe-is-required-by-law/

[JitterbugPerfume]

1. I love Jerold Nadler

[WheelWalker]

2. They wanted to dance; now, they'll have to pay the band.

k&r :kick:

[Zhade]

3. Indeed. Otherwise, Obama is a criminal too.

NT!

[pleah]

4. John Dean pretty much said that on Olbermann tonight. n/t

[pleah]

5. K&R

[chill_wind]

6. K & R. It's coming together, it looks like.

eom

[truthisfreedom]

7. Hmm. I guess we may get our justice after all.

And bush will have to run to South America to hide.

[No Elephants]

9. They have a great entrapment defense against America.

[hdayejr]

13. Cheney will still be here...

Get his Orange jump suit ready....

[Senator]

8. K&R

[No Elephants]

10. I think I'm in love!

[marshall]

11. I feel sorry for Pelosi

She knows she's in a pickle over this investigation, but it's beyond her control to "move on". Still the truth must come out and measures taken to keep the transparency of our government in place.

[robinlynne]

12. Obama did NOT say "they used torture". he did not say those words.

It makes a difference. He did say I believe waterboarding is torture. In other words, he danced around it, and did not say it directly. I'm sure he thought it through carefully in order NOT to say "they tortured".

[Overseas]

14. K&R !! //nt