Nominee for US intelligence chief rejects torture

[maddezmom]

Source: AFP

WASHINGTON (AFP) — President Barack Obama's nominee to head US intelligence Thursday flatly rejected torture, promised to end special interrogation regimes and refuse the unlawful surveillance of Americans.

Retired admiral Dennis Blair indicated major changes are in store for US intelligence agencies, which have been embroiled in controversy over secret prisons, interrogation practics, and warrantless wiretapping of Americans.

"Torture is not moral, is not legal, is not effective," Blair said at his Senate confirmation hearing.

Blair told the Senate Intelligence Committee he would welcome independent monitoring of the intelligence community "to prevent abuses and protect privacy and civil liberties of Americans."



Read more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5ja7-CTgDF3iv4XiU5NIad68XVCiA

[sakabatou]

1. Huzzuh!

[democrank]

2. Now this is more like it.

A return to principles. About time.

[chatnoir]

3. Had just read he won't call waterboarding torture

And came to LBN to find if it had been discussed yet when I saw the OP...

Obama CIA choice won't call waterboarding torture
Thu Jan 22, 2009 7:32pm GMT

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama's choice to head the CIA declined on Thursday to call waterboarding "torture," only days after his attorney general nominee condemned the interrogation practice as precisely that.

Retired Adm. Dennis Blair replied cautiously when pressed on the waterboarding question at a hearing on his nomination to be director of national intelligence.

The caution reflected a public debate over whether to prosecute CIA employees who used the simulated drowning technique. Torture is banned by U.S. and international laws.

"There will be no waterboarding on my watch. There will be no torture on my watch," Blair said, refusing to go further.

In contrast, attorney general nominee Eric Holder flatly told his confirmation hearing last week, "Waterboarding is torture." The statement was a break from years in which Bush administration officials rejected that characterization.

Michigan Democratic Sen Carl Levin told Blair, "If the attorney general designee can answer it, you can too,"

More at http://uk.reuters.com/article/usPoliticsNews/idUKTRE50L63F20090122

[CitizenPatriot]

4. perhaps he's trying to avoid being delayed in acceptance (holderized)

by not answering the question. i'd like to think that the fact that he has said he wouldn't do it says what he thinks of it.

[chill_wind]

5. Good for Sen Levin

"If the attorney general designee can answer it, you can too,"

Damn right.

[Freddie Stubbs]

6. Obama spy choice won't call waterboarding torture

Source: Reuters

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama's choice for top U.S. spy declined on Thursday to call waterboarding "torture," only days after his attorney general nominee condemned the interrogation practice as precisely that.

Retired Adm. Dennis Blair replied cautiously when pressed on the waterboarding question at a hearing on his nomination to be director of national intelligence, of which the CIA is a part.

The caution reflected a public debate over whether to prosecute CIA employees who used the simulated drowning technique. Torture is banned by U.S. and international laws.

Read more: http://uk.reuters.com/article/usPoliticsNews/idUKTRE50L63F20090122?24234

[EFerrari]

7. Blair has an East Timor problem where he apparently know about

an on-going massacre and continued to offer aid to the perps.

http://www.democracynow.org/2009/1/22/report_intel_nominee_adm_dennis_blair

[alarimer]

8. Dennis Blair should not be confirmed.

I have been following the coverage on him on Democracy Now and it is not good.