Pelosi. one paragraph. from Thinkprogress.

[underpants]

What Did Pelosi Know About Torture And What Could She Have Done About It?
http://thinkprogress.org/2009/05/08/pelosi-torture-briefing/
While it remains unclear what Pelosi knew and when she knew it, it should not be forgotten that Pelosi did not write the memos authorizing the use of torture or carry that torture out; the Bush administration did. Further, the CIA briefed Pelosi without staff, told her their practices were legal, and forbade her from discussing the meeting with colleagues. As such, Pelosi could not work to “outlaw the practices.” Marc Ambinder notes that the only way Pelosi could have registered her objections at that time was to “walk out of the briefing, telling those CIA officials who came that what she just heard did not constitute a formal briefing.” The result? The CIA would have simply tried to re-brief her at a later date, but the Bush administration would have continued to carry out torture anyways.

[liberalmuse]

1. Sanity. Thank you.

I'm not a huge Pelosi fan, but I'm also not buying into the 'pub propaganda on this.

[underpants]

4. Not a huge fan either

and I don't make excuses but this is the most accurate synopsis I have read yet. There was surely some political coverage for herself in this but it was a top secret briefing-there wasn't much she could do other than end her career.

[babylonsister]

2. I'm not convinced she should be blamed either. That's exactly

what the rethugs are doing, too.

[madokie]

5. I think Nancy was set up for this point in time

the bush cabal of war criminals knew there was a pretty good chance this conversation was going to happen once they were no longer in the wh so they were just getting their alibi's in order.

[peacetalksforall]

3. I think they may have had the briefing, but only because she was first in line if

anything happened to Dick and George and it may be written. What we need to find out whether what's written, if anything, requires her to zip her mouth. It would seem that the leader of the House of Representatives should have legal representation. They are now in a position to say anything. They are after all the expert of expert liars. They could have wna dwould have energetically cheated the country by breaking our law even in a situation like this one. They are play actors - good ones. And they play at telling the truth. And they play at cya - theirs.

[Truth2Tell]

6. The CIA doesn't have the legal authority

to "forbid" the minority leader of the House from doing anything.

She was told about CRIMINAL ACTIVITY ferchissakes. Criminal activity IS NOT COVERED by secrecy laws. How hard is it for people to get this through their heads?

This nonsensical meme that Congress members were somehow legally prohibited from disclosing this information is some of the biggest bullshit I've ever seen on DU. And that's saying something.

[Rage for Order]

7. Contrast Pelosi's actions with those of Lt. Ehren Watada

How many times did I read on DU that soldiers should just refuse to deploy to Iraq, even if it meant jail time? In fact, many here claimed it was a moral imperative. Yet those same individuals do not think that the person third in line for the Presidency should be held to a similar standard. In case anyone needs a refresher on Lt. Watada:

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/44492717.html

The Justice Department is dropping its appeal of a judge's decision that blocked the Army from retrying a Fort Lewis lieutenant who refused to deploy to Iraq.

Army spokesman Joe Piek said Wednesday that Fort Lewis officials learned late last week of the department's decision in the case of Ehren Watada, who claimed the war was illegal and publicly denounced President George W. Bush when he skipped his deployment in 2006.

Watada's first court-martial ended in a mistrial, over his objection. A federal judge ruled last fall that the Army could not try him again on key charges, including missing troop movement, because it would violate his constitutional right to be free from double jeopardy.

The Justice Department initially appealed to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, but later asked the court to dismiss the matter. The court did so Wednesday.

"Because there are no longer any criminal charges pending against Lt. Watada, and because (his) military service has been extended far beyond his normal release date, he anticipates that he will soon be released from active duty," his attorney, James Lobsenz, said in a news release. "He plans to return to civilian life and to attend law school."

[ProSense]

8. Nothing shows that she was told.

She says she wasn't. Also, the discrepancies in what Goss has been saying and the CIA accounts indicate that the documents may not be accurate.

The Repubs are running for cover

[Truth2Tell]

9. My point is only that IF she was told

she would be complicit. Based on her previous behavior I suspect that she was, but I will wait and see to be sure. And yes, the Repubs want to use this divert from their own far worse crimes. But that's no reason to avoid cleaning our own house as well.