“This investigation is very appropriate,” Democratic Sen. Maria Cantwell of Washington said Sunday on CNN’s State of the Union, “No one is above the law. This is not a political process. This is a legal process. It’s a legal process to find out whether the law was broken.”
Cantwell was answering Republican criticism – most notably from former Vice President Dick Cheney - that the recent decision by Attorney General Eric Holder to open an investigation into CIA interrogations was politically motivated and runs the risk of making the spy agency timid in tracking down terrorists who intend to do the country harm.
Related: CIA probe is political, Cheney says
“They’re making it so the people at the CIA are afraid to do anything,” said Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch, who sits on the Senate Intelligence Committee. “Frankly, it’s gone way too far,” Hatch told CNN Chief National Correspondent John King.
But Cantwell rejected the notion that pursuing an investigation of possible wrongdoing would make the CIA shy away from combating terrorism in the future.
“This is not about being timid. This is about being effective,” Cantwell said, “And if we want to be effective in the war on terrorism, we have to communicate to everyone that we are going to follow the law and we want their help in bringing about justice for the American people and to make them secure.”
“I applaud the Attorney General,” Cantwell added, “because I’m sure it’s a tenuous issue to be the chief law enforcement officer of this country.”
From CNN Politics
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Orrin Hatch, YOU have obviously gone way too far... isn't it time you just faded away...
Under this Administration, Our country will never be safe. These terrorists are not your average run of the mill, thugs. They'll cut your head off in a heartbeat. We must stop playing to them. After 9/11, the rules had to change. We can't afford to be weak.
"No one is above the law". Right. And, when the Republicans are back in power you can be sure the Dims will learn that lesson. Enjoy the sowing, idiots. You may enjoy the reaping less.
if ur guilty ur "likely" going to object
the cia is making it sound like this is their business! Hatch says "the CIA (agents) are afraid to do anything" (now) then it sounds likely that torture is going on every single day? is this all they do? get back to work cia and gather information the intelligent way
Good. Then this means that we will soon see Charlie Rangel in prison togs for blatant tax evasion, and Timmy Geithner and Tom Daschel will be right behind him. Too bad the statute of limitations has run out on President Obama and his admitted illegal marijuana and cocaine possession. Teddy K also escaped real justice in his manslaughter of Mary Jo, and so did Bubba in lying to a grand jury. We're also still waiting for Bill Richardson's indictment – let's get moving on that one, Ms. Cantwell.
The people who conducted the interrogations did so under the guidance of the Justice Dept's advice that what they did was legal. Now, a new administration comes in and their Justice Dept has a different legal opinion. How are agents in the CIA supposed to do their jobs if they don't know what this administration allows the next one might not try and prosecute them for. They would more than likely not do anything and that does endanger our country's security.
No one would ignore a police officer torturing a suspect. Why turn the other cheek for someone who should display more moral aptitude on a much larger scale.
The law breakers use the pathetic argument that they were "protecting the people". Thus once again using fear mongering as an excuse to take away our constitutional rights.
Of course, if we tried to impeach and remove all in Congress who did not and still do not adhere to their oath to "support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic", there would be few left standing in the halls of Congress.
We would also have an empty White House.
There is no dishonor in truth. We all pledge allegiance to the US and the flag. When one walks in righteousness, there is no need to fear.
Investigate and prosecute anyone democrat, republican or otherwise who violated THEIR OATH to honor the America and our laws
yeah no one is above the law in the land of "liberty and justice for all" Bill Clinton almost went to prison, President Bushes daughter went to jail. No one is above the law in America, wait.....unless your an illegal immigrant according to Obamas immigration "reform"
If you believe that the CIA should be able to obtain information "at any cost, and by whatever means necessary," then be aware of two things:
1. If we use torture, then we are no better than the terrorists.
2. If we use torture, then we are agreeing that it is O.K. to torture captured soldiers. That puts our troops at risk if they are captured.
What part of “The Rule of Law” do you rightwing-nuts not understand?
If Cheney and his Republican apologists think the ends justify the means, then there is no reason not to institute torture in the United States as well. So let's just drop the pretense of a civilized society, and go after "them" if we think "they" deserve it, or if property or a life might be saved by poking a few eyes out. Cheney is certainly the most dangerous man in recent American history to ever hold such high political office. He has no respect for human rights, the rule of law, or of anyone whom he views as the enemy (certainly that means most liberals and moderates). Thank fates he never will get the chance to impose his vision of society on the rest of us. He would certainly bring civil war.
The fact that a significant portion of this country is pro-torture speaks volumes about where our values have headed. There are government investigations of all kinds at all times – it keeps the system honest. An investigation does not necessarily mean an indictment or a prosecution. Shouldn't we take a look and see whether the did in fact act in our best interests? Besides, letting this go would set a very bad precedence and allow future abuse to go unhindered.
I also love how many think the government is going overboard when it tries to help people get health insurance (that's fascism!!! they cry), but the same people think it's ok to torture and detain people without trial (which really is fascism!).
Excuse me? Half this "President's" cabinet actually IS above the law! Only "republicans" seem to fit this new liberal description. Okay, make our day, and put them on trial. November 2010-slaughterhouse day.
Sure, what else do we expect from Cheney, he's trying to protect his behind.
Of course they are above the law. The laws, like taxes, are only for the little people. The only reason any of these people are ever prosecuted is if they anger enough of their colleagues. Then they are prosecuted as a show that they aren't "above the law".
Finally...maybe a little justice will be served. America DOES NOT TORTURE.
International interogation laws are there for a reason. No country is above the law. I hope they bring down everybody who broke the law.
Interesting how defensive Cheney and the republicans get about being investigated, especially if they have nothing to worry about. Hmmm...
Hey Cheney!!
If you can't do the time – don't do the crime!
when a nuke hits a american city, let see is it is the american way.. and where the fingers be pointing to. bunch of dumb sh..
My response to items of torture and inappropriate treatment of prisoners by the U.S. has alsways been the same: What would we say and do as a government if those being tortured or treated inappropriately were American citizens and/ troops in foreign countries? Would we hold those doing this to ours accountable to the laws involved?
"No one is above the law"? What about Ted Kennedy, who we've been canonizing over the past few days? He drove a young woman off a bridge, went off to leave her die, and didn't report the accident until the next morning. He never served a day in prison for that.
“No one is above the law."
CHANGE has come to Washington.
Any objections if we torture Cheney to find out what he has done to subvert our democracy?
After World War II, the United States and its allies executed a large number of German and Japanese officers and officials who had ordered the same thing Dick Cheney ordered. I am definitely not saying that Cheney should be executed, but if by American standards those Germans and Japanese were war criminals, then Dick Cheney is one too.