Four CIA chiefs said 'don't reveal torture memos'

[seemslikeadream]

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/four-cia-chiefs-said-dont-reveal-torture-memos-1671068.html

By Pamela Hess
Sunday, 19 April 2009


Former CIA directors General Michael Hayden (above), Porter Goss, George Tenet and John Deutch fought the White House over release of embarrassing documents


Four former CIA directors opposed the release of classified Bush-era interrogation memos, officials say, describing objections that went all the way to the White House and slowed disclosure of the records. Former CIA chiefs Michael Hayden, Porter Goss, George Tenet and John Deutch all called the White House in March warning that release of the so-called "torture memos" would compromise intelligence operations, current and former officials say.


President Barack Obama ultimately overruled the objections after internal discussions that intensified in the weeks that followed the former directors' intervention. The memos were released on Thursday.

Mr Obama's involvement grew as the decision neared, and he even led a National Security Council session on the matter, four senior administration officials said. White House adviser David Axelrod, who said he also talked to Mr Obama about the pending release of the memos in recent weeks, said the ex-directors' opposition was considered seriously but did not impede the decision-making process. "The CIA directors weighed in and it slowed things down," Mr Axelrod said on Friday.

[EFerrari]

1. I'm really glad Obama has Axelrod. n/t

[Stinky The Clown]

2. "Please don't rat me out, Mr. President"

Who cares what these criminals think?

Michael Fucking Hayden?

Porter Fucking Goss?

George Medal of Freedom Tenet?

John Fucking Deutch?

[malaise]

5. Ding ding we have a winner

That is all

[Grateful for Hope]

10. Yup

You said it all.

[bottomtheweaver]

3. This is very encouraging.

I'm willing to settle for small steps in the right direction as long they ARE steps and not meaningless talking points.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

4. Panetta chimed in, too,

asking Obama not to release them.

It's all for show, anyway - they have to put up the pretense of "backing their guys," and so these statements are issued. It's one big pretend game, that's all.

[Canuckistanian]

6. I think there was a real battle over this

Something about shouting matches between DOJ officials and CIA administrators. It was a few weeks back.

NOBODY at the CIA wants this kind of attention, because it will mean investigations, prosecutions, resignations or firings.

This is going the shake the agency to it's core.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

12. Honestly, I don't believe any of it ............

Without names named, there's no danger of anything happening. And I don't believe any "reports" coming out of Washington, especially when the CIA is involved. It's all done with smoke and mirrors to get people to believe exactly what they want people to believe.

Naw, the agency is solid and intact and nothing is going to happen to anyone there. Life goes on, because the CIA owns the whole game, and the President is smart enough to know it............................

[Hekate]

7. President Obama continues to deliver, imo. nt

[Politicalboi]

8. Yes rat these bastards out

They claim the terrorist will learn to become tolerant to their methods. Yes learn to hold your breath longer. Harden your head. And learn to love bugs. See that's all they have to do and we are helpless. Damn Obama!

[azul]

11. Like the terrorists won't respect the US if we don't torture.

Are we failing their test of our rule of law?

[tularetom]

9. Tells me all I need to know

Bet their assholes were sucking up all the upholstery on their chairs when they learned about it.

Do the mothafuckas good to worry about it for awhile.

And then have their asses thrown in jail.

[mohinoaklawnillinois]

13. If we don't get organized and start putting the pressure on

the corporate media and the demented cretins that ordered this, the rule of law, as it stands right now, isn't worth a flying f***.

Jane Hamsher and Glenn Greenwald have some good ideas for people. Check them out and start doing what needs to be done. We have to have those cretins, all of them, held accountable for their actions. If this allowed to stand, no prosecutions for war crimes, what exactly was the point of those hearings in Nuremburg all those ago. The Allies won, so let's prosecute the Nazis and the Japanese that committed crimes against humanity but if the Americans do the same thing, that's OK. I DON'T THINK SO....

That is exactly what will happen if the corporate media and the right wingers in this country, get their way and I for one do not want to live in a country that has one set of rules for the "elite" and another for regular, ordinary citizens.

:mad: :mad:

[DCKit]

14. Yet they had no problem with the outing of Valerie Plame, the destruction of her entire operation...

and the contacts and assets who were put at mortal risk.

That's some agenda they've got. Completely unAmerican and shit, but it's an agenda.

[mohinoaklawnillinois]

15. Exactly.....

n/t

[HughMoran]

17. Which of those 4 outed Valerie Plame

I'm not defending those jerkoffs, I'm just missing the connection - who's "they"?

[DCKit]

21. Read it again Huge. But now that you bring it up....

it could've been a conspiracy among the former bosses. With a little WH help, of course.

[bananas]

18. I was just about to post that. nt

[HughMoran]

16. Sounds like Obama was pretty involved and stuck by his principals

I find it hard to believe that he would pursue this issue so vigorously and simply cave on prosecution of torture. Personally I think the prosecution should be done by Congress and the justice department as it was pointed out that it would be inappropriate for him to directly pursue a previous administration - especially one of the opposing party.

[Psychic Consortium]

19. HM You are correct. nt

[GeorgeGist]

20. A Corrupt Intelligence Agency ...

is more dangerous to friends than to foes.