"2) an investigation would only demoralize the intelligence community;" --casual_observer

I'm thinking there would have to be a basis to suppose there is anything remotely moral about that unfettered under-the-scope agency/"family".

You're right, demoralize them if that would sanitize their immoral rendering, enhanced interogations and regime overthrowing.

In their Orwellian fog of confused morality anything is possible.

We Americans have been so demoralized the post 9-11 era- how indeed can we feel any sense of freedom or elation about what being American is?

"Perhaps he has some innate sense of law, justice and morality that makes it physically difficult for him to defend torturers."--overlander

The disease of conflicted conscience in such matters is one to which most of the law-for-others crowd seem immune. I can only conjecture there must be a reason for this.

Did the White House get both the anthrax and torture is good vaccine?

"a path that has transformed the United States from a country that condemned torture and forbade its use to one that practices torture routinely"

Not my quote, GMS.

But, he makes the point, I think, that America held higher ideals than most, but not without a degree of hypocrisy, to be sure. You are convinced as most here who have seen reams of evidence that the US has put out in the open ( a rare, grudging phenomena in the Bush era) that torture is a policy that's good for the safety of American citizens.

I do agree with you and that other guy at the same time.

Not my quote, GMS.

"GMS" meant "JoeMommaSan"

My apologies.

"Granted, the policies of Bush and Cheney regarding treatment of prisoners are reprehensible, but there is a special place in Hell for the likes of Chuckie Taylor."--Jeff_S

Can one be so sure, considering the undisclosed, redacted documents that managed to filter out (exempting those numerous interrogation videos that were erased by the CIA/military) that what one thinks we do is reality? I'd like to give our military and intelligence community the benefit of the doubt. Sadly, the evidence we do have will not permit me the luxury.

There actually are some things that are done to people that are as bad or worse than rape, burning and chopping limbs. Only until one is the recipient of such higher or lower forms of sophisticated means can he make moral equivalence judgments.

Know that if there is smoke, there is a blazing inferno of which those who bravely practice any cruelty upon their captives will work aggressively to insulate you from knowing.

You see, here on this blog and other "leftist" cesspools of American demagoguery you will see that hate is an emotion evocative of rabid, partisan, liberal-sounding affiliation.

Note all Glenn's yesmen/women like myself who feel inclined to comment vociferously on any lawless, hypocritical practices that would undermine the original intent of Founder principles of justice and equality for all (the aristocrats, too)- see the "venom" of attempts at rational thought with a modicum of emotion, but pleading our case nonetheless.

Accuse us of bigotry or of hate, but not of passivity toward what is American justice as an end.

"I'm happy living in my trailer"--Timothy3

Trailers- the summer hotbed of lowly abode and the cold drafts of humble furnaces.

"John McCain -- despite years of parading around as a righteous opponent of torture -- voted against the torture ban."-Glenn

While this former POW hero campaigned largely on his stalwart credentials as the bravest of America's warriors and the crowds cheered, we, who remembered McCain's posturing on banning torture and recent vote smelled a rat.

Ask yourself, whether for god, country or safety a true patriot having suffered five years (allegedly) of enemy imprisonment/torture would so bravely vote for Presidents and officers to torture and devise supra-cruel ways to continue doing so.

"Award"

"Mr. Greenwald: You get my Thomas Paine Patriot-of-the-Year award. Your writing has kept me sane in 2008. Keep it up. Thank you, and Happy New Year."--capierso

May I second that motion with the caveat that TP remains the standard and other pseudo titles like- "America First" fade into oblivion?

"Clintons policy of extraordinary rendition? -

Warrantless searches of public housing during the Clinton years? -" cited Groenhagen

What's extraordinary is the depth of illegal legalizing of such things the past 8 years with the intent of political gain suffused with "We will all die if the "Decider" can't do what he wants or else.

One pays attention to these things and one must agree that these are "extraordinary" matters beyond what "Clintons policy(ies)" ever envisioned.

Get help and attention elsewhere, Groen (the Hague)

WATERBOARDING For SISSIES

Lie on your now elevated back spewing innatenesses about resisting rigorous less infusion of water down your air passages while you daydream of commenting intelligently on the-better-than you blogs.

Lie on your now elevated back spewing innatenesses...

should read the "inanest" bravado

"Corporal" - that's too funny!- JKP1000

Black boots and rigid salutes leave me writhing, not with laughter.