Political Quotes

“It seems that every week there is a new revelation about how this administration has engaged in activity that is not consistent with American laws or values when it comes to the issue of torture. Last week, CIA Director Michael Hayden acknowledged that Central Intelligence Agency officials destroyed videotapes of detainees being subjected to so-called 'enhanced interrogation techniques.' These techniques reportedly include forms of torture like waterboarding. The New York Times reported, 'The tapes were destroyed in part because officers were concerned that video showing harsh interrogation methods could expose agency officials to legal risks.' The CIA apparently withheld information about the existence of interrogation videotapes from official proceedings, including the 9/11 Commission and the Federal court hearing the case of Zacarias Moussaoui. General Hayden asserts that the videotapes were destroyed 'in line with the law,' but it is the Justice Department's role to determine whether the law was broken. Last week I asked Attorney General Mukasey to investigate whether CIA officials who covered up the existence of these videotapes violated the law. To his credit, the Attorney General has begun a preliminary inquiry. This week there is a new revelation. The CIA has already acknowledged videotaping interrogations of detainees in CIA custody.”