President Obama ‘Morphing Into His Predecessor’ Blocking Transparency and Prosecution of Torture (mp3/Video)

International human rights lawyer Scott Horton on AntiWar Radio, human rights investigator John Sifton on Democracy Now! (DN!), constitutional scholar Jonathon Turley with Rachel Maddow and ACLU attorney Amrit Singh with Anderson Cooper on Obama’s decision to further hide Bush Administration crimes of toruring and murdering detainees.

A lot on this topic in recent days on The Wire. As a quick comment: this is not a matter of opinion. The so-called ‘torture debate’ as to whether or not information should be released to the public, Bush Administration officials should or shouldn’t be prosecuted, and whether or not torture was ‘effective’ in “keeping Americans safe” is a bad sign for the common sense of the day — not that there are people who disagree with me, but the fact that this debate exists as what’s perceived as anywhere near serious legal discussion.

America is not supposed to be a democracy. The U.S. (theoretically) is a republic where government officials take an oath to govern by the rule of law, not the arbitrary whim of public discourse, their advisors, or personal prudence.

I’d like to invite people into the real discussion. Abandon the bullshit partisan debates on this issue because it is not a political issue where you decide whether or not you approve of strategists, politicians, and personality-based commentators. This is a legal issue. The two sides of this ‘debate’ are legal v. political. Listen to the legal scholars:

Scott Horton on AntiWar Radio

14 May 09 | AntiWar Radio

The Other Scott Horton, international human rights lawyer, professor and contributing editor at Harper’s magazine, discusses the Senate Judiciary Committee’s hearings on torture memos, the blatant U.S. coverup and blackmail attempt to prevent Britain from releasing information on Binyam Mohamed’s torture, the too-convenient suicide of 9/11 conspirator Al-Libi and how the argument for an independent torture investigation keeps getting stronger. (29:58):

The Other Scott Horton (no relation[to the host of AntiWar Radio]) is a New York attorney known for his work in emerging markets and international law, especially human rights law and the law of armed conflict. He is a contributing editor at Harper’s magazine and writes the blog No Comment.

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Human Rights Investigator, Attorney John Sifton: Torture Investigation Should Focus on Estimated 100 Prisoner Deaths

14 May 09 | DN!

We get reaction to the Senate hearing on torture from private investigator and attorney John Sifton, executive director of One World Research, which carries out research for law firms and human rights groups. Sifton has conducted extensive investigations into the CIA interrogation and detention program. He says any investigation of Bush administration torture and rendition should include an estimated 100 homicides of prisoners in U.S. custody.

Guest:

John Sifton: private investigator and attorney based in New York. He is the executive director of One World Research, which carries out research for law firms and human rights groups. He was formerly at Human Rights Watch as the Asia Division researcher and then senior researcher on terrorism and counterterrorism. He has conducted extensive investigations into the CIA interrogation and detention program, and his latest article published on The Daily Beast is called “The Bush Administration Homicides“.

Part One (h/t: mediagrrl9 – 8:51):

Part Two (h/t: mediagrrl9 – 7:51):

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ACLU Attorney Amrit Singh on Obama’s Flip-Flop on Release of Torture Photos (h/t: C-SPAN Junkie – 9:11):

Jonathon Turley on MSNBC’s The Rachel Maddow Show – 13 May 09 (h/t: C-SPAN Junkie 7:35):

RELATED:

• Turnabout: Obama Blocks Release of Torture Photos; Pelosi was Told of Torture Use (13 May 09)
• Rights Groups Slam President ‘Torturer Supporter’; U.N. Tells Obama to Stop Abuse (14 May 09)
• Obama Threatens the U.K. to Keep Torture Evidence Concealed (12 May 09)
• Was Tortured CIA “Ghost Prisoner” Murdered? (14 May 09)
• Accountability for Torture: Questions and Answers (13 May 09)
• AUDIO — Detainees Tortured to Link Saddam to al-Qa’ida (6 May 09)
• AUDIO — Scott Horton: Election of Obama Hurt the Peace Movement (29 Apr 09)