Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Undermining Our National Security


In 2004 the CIA Inspector General issued a report documenting alleged detainee abuse by CIA interrogators and contractors. The DOJ’s career, not political, prosecutors then examined that document and other incidents from Iraq and Afghanistan for legal accountability. In one case, the DOJ decided to prosecute, and has already obtained a criminal conviction of a CIA contractor. Furthermore, the CIA has also taken their own disciplinary action against others involved in the incidents. As Heritage senior fellow Peter Brookes explains, Attorney General Eric Holder’s decision to re-investigate the CIA will have a chilling effect on the morale at the agency and will leave officers in the field wondering whether they should be more concerned about getting terrorists or getting lawyers.

Anyone familiar with Holder’s history should not be surprised by the politicization of the Justice Department under his leadership. In 1999, Holder promoted clemency for 16 members of FALN and Los Macheteros, terrorist organizations linked by the FBI to more than 130 bombings and six murders. Then in 2000 Holder played a prominent role in the pardon of Marc Rich, whose ex-wife gave considerable sums to the Democratic Party ($867,000) and the Clinton Library ($450,000).

Now, as the head of DOJ, Holder’s political decisions are undermining core rule of law concerns including the integrity of elections, ethical governance, and national security. Holder reports directly to his boss, President Barack Obama. Someone needs to be held accountable.

Let's see. Would there be a connection between the sharp rise in casualties in Afghanistan and the fact that detainees are read their Miranda rights, our soldiers are required to discuss ROE (Rules of Engagement) with lawyers prior to attacking known combatants, and the prosecution of those providing intelligence in the field?

3 comments:

J Dub said...

Just another in a long line of things that chip away at our national security. W wasn't perfect, but I'd take him any day over this crap.

Mike West said...

Next thing you know soldiers will need permission before shooting.

Brodad Unkabuddy said...

They already do!