Sen. Leahy proposes truth panel on Bush era abuses

Breitbart ^ | 2/9/09 | DEVLIN BARRETT

[xtinct]

WASHINGTON (AP) - The chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee is proposing a "truth commission" to investigate abuses of detainees, politically inspired moves at the Justice Department, and whole range of decisions made during the Bush administration. Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., said the primary goal of the commission would be to learn the truth rather than prosecute former officials, but said the inquiry should reach far beyond misdeeds at the Justice Department under Bush to include matters of Iraq prewar intelligence and the Defense Department.

Leahy outlined his suggestion for a "truth and reconciliation" commission during a speech at Georgetown University Monday.

"I'm doing this not to humiliate people or punish people but to get the truth out," he said.

The panel he envisions would be modeled after one that investigated the apartheid regime in South Africa. It would have subpoena power but would not bring criminal charges, he said.

Among the matters Leahy wants investigated by such a commission are: the firings of U.S. attorneys, treatment and torture of terror suspect detainees, and the authorization of warrantless wiretapping.

"Rather than vengeance, we need a fair-minded pursuit of what actually happened" during the Bush administration, Leahy said.

Some Democrats have called for criminal investigations of those who authorized certain controversial tactics in the war on terror. Republicans have countered that such decisions made in the wake of the 2001 terror attacks should not be second-guessed.

[Vaquero]

Sen. Leahy proposes truth panel on Bush era abuses

whats that, a show trial????

[pray4liberty]

This be nothing but a witch hunt that will give the Democrats a device to continually relate our current problems back to Bush and deflect examination of Obama’s failure, which they are apparently anticipating.

You're right with that assessment of wisdom and logic. Live long and prosper!

[top 2 toe red]

The public will not only see it but will know what it is. And the public will puke.

You have a helluva lot more faith in the stupid public that elected this bunch of nasty, lying crooks than I do.

[The Toad]

Hmmmmm...isn’t this the same Leahy that leaked state secrets? Funny stuff.

[Shethink13]

Clinton balanced the budget by taking the Social Security Trust Fund to balance the budget.

And by refinancing the debt with short-term low interest loans, leaving the ballooning rates for Pres. Bush.