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51 in Congress Call for Independent Investigation of Secret Detentions

Via Raw Story, 51, count them, 51 members of Congress have signed a letter authored by Rep. John Conyers (D-MI) asking Attorney General Alberto Gonzales to apoint a special counsel to investigate U.S. actions in the torture scandals and in maintaining secret detention facilities abroad. The question: Did the U.S. violate the War Crimes Act? The first paragraph:

We are writing to request that you appoint a special counsel to investigate whether high-ranking officials within the Bush Administration violated the War Crimes Act, 18 U.S.C. 2441, or the Anti-Torture Act, 18 U.S.C. 2340 by allowing the use of torture techniques banned by domestic and international law at recognized and secret detention sites in Iraq, Afghanistan Guantanamo Bay and elsewhere.

One of the last paragraphs:

The public interest demands we determine who is ultimately responsible for these abuses. While Private Lynndie England and other low-ranking officers have pled guilty, those who ordered and authorized their actions appear to have been protected by the military and this Administration. Because so many high level officials, including you, have been implicated in these events, the only way to ensure impartiality is through the appointment of a Special Counsel. Indeed, our nation's integrity is at stake. We must reassure the world that we will fairly and independently pursue legal violations wherever they occur.

Check the list of signers....our favorites are all there. I'm especially glad to see Colorado Reps. Diana DeGette and Mark Udall names on the list. If you see your Representative, send them off a quick thank e-mail.

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    Re: 51 in Congress Call for Independent Investigat (none / 0) (#1)
    by ppjakajim on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 12:59:03 PM EST
    Only 51? I thought the Demos had more than that.

    Excellent. An act of conscience and justice is not dependent on numbers or majority. The actions of this administration are war crimes, the only question is whether the criminals will be brought to justice. Kissinger is still loose, Pinochet is in trouble. You can never tell about these things.

    Re: 51 in Congress Call for Independent Investigat (none / 0) (#3)
    by john horse on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 12:59:04 PM EST
    If there was ever a case where there should be bipartisan support for an open independent investigation, this is it. After all we are talking about allegations of torture. This is about what our country stands for. The Republican party has become the party that either supports or covers up torture. It is a party that is about maintaining political power. It is a party that has become morally bankrupt.

    Re: 51 in Congress Call for Independent Investigat (none / 0) (#4)
    by DawesFred60 on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 12:59:04 PM EST
    conscious angel and john horse, it will never happen, until the big boys tell bush its ok to do a investigation and it would be under control so no bad news would come out of that investigation. after all we can't get out non government which would deal with bin laden if it could get something out of it. "come on boys" this government which is under the control of others is your real antagonist. anyway the usa will be dead within 10 years by bush and business order's. by the way torture in our jails and prison is as normal as iraq under saddam.

    Yes, I believe it is unlikely to happen, but if we just sit on our hands, we are good germans. I am a prisoner of war, I have no choice in resisting the militarism of this country, the illegal wars, the torture, the renditions, the violation of civil rights. You have to keep in mind that if Americans always sat by because the odds say there is no chance of success, we would all still be British citizens. So, stand up, be counted, speak truth to power. To some extent the need to speak is not about them, it's about us and who we are. 51? I am elated. 1 would make me happy. Guess what? The emperor has no clothes. Dubya, Rice, Alberto, Cheney and Rummy among others have committed war crimes, have violated our treaties including the Geneva and Torture Conventions. Can you say high crimes and misdemeanors? Doesn't matter if this never goes anywhere, let's speak the truth. Our country is in the hands of war criminals.