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2009-05-13 Home Front: Politix

Hoyer: Hearings Should Explore Pelosi's Interrogation Briefing

Orville Redenbacker can't possibly make enough popcorn ...

The House majority leader reluctantly agreed Tuesday that congressional hearings should investigate Speaker Nancy Pelosi's assertion that she wasn't informed, more than six years ago, that harsh interrogation methods were used on an Al-Qaeda leader.

Rep. Steny Hoyer, D-Md., called Republican challenges to Pelosi's assertion a diversion from the real question of whether the Bush administration tortured terrorist suspects. Nonetheless, he acknowledged the controversy should be resolved.

Queen Pelosi just took the first push towards the door ...

Democrats will hold a series of hearings on Justice Department memos released last month that justified rough tactics against detainees, including waterboarding -- simulated drowning -- and sleep deprivation. While Democrats want the hearings to focus on what they call torture, Republicans have tried to turn the issue to their advantage by complaining that Pelosi and other Democrats knew of the tactics but didn't protest. Pelosi was briefed in 2002 while on the House Intelligence Committee.

Hoyer, asked at a news conference whether Democrats were inviting political problems for themselves by holding hearings, said, "I think the facts need to get out.

"I think the Republicans are simply trying to distract the American public with who knew what when. My response to that is, look, the issue is not what was said or what was known; the question and focus ought to be on what was done."

But he added that the controversy over "what was said and when it was said, who said it ... is probably what ought to be on the record as well."

Hoyer also was asked whether he believes Pelosi's support has been undermined among Democrats. "No, I don't," he said.

'Course not. That's why he's lining up the rebels for the palace coup ...

Let's hope it drags out a long time - sufficiently long for the general public to realize just who and what the Dems in charge really are.

A Senate Judiciary subcommittee holds the first hearing on the interrogation policy on Wednesday, but has scheduled testimony unrelated to the Pelosi matter.

A CIA document made public last week shows that Pelosi received a briefing in September 2002 on the tactics used on Abu Zubaydah, an Al Qaeda leader and one of three prisoners subjected to waterboarding. Pelosi said she was told the agency was discussing its legal right to use the tactic in the future. "We were not -- I repeat -- were not told that waterboarding or any of these other enhanced interrogation methods were used," said Pelosi, D-Calif.

Posted by Steve White 2009-05-13 00:00|| || Front Page|| [11145 views ] Top

#1 I was down this morning, anticpating increase taxes for Social Security and Medicare, not to mention taxes on my medical insurance, etc.

This article brought a smile to my face and gives me something to look forward to! Excellent!

Posted by Bobby 2009-05-13 06:59|| 2009-05-13 06:59|| Front Page Top

#2 The Agency would have never undertake these measures without the proper legal and political oversight, ~~cover~~, etc. The donks so love being an active part of the intelligence process, neat briefings, luncheons with the DCID and staff, reports, trips, vids and photos. I am SO GLAD they were included.

Posted by Besoeker 2009-05-13 09:19|| 2009-05-13 09:19|| Front Page Top

#3 "I think the Republicans are simply trying to distract the American public with who knew what when."

I'd hardly call that a distraction. It's textbook discovery work in any legal matter.

Posted by eltoroverde 2009-05-13 10:11|| 2009-05-13 10:11|| Front Page Top

#4 Hoyer is out for blood. He wanted Pelosi's job, and Jack Murtha screwed him out of it. This is just the shiv he needs to bleed her politically, and if he can he will kill Murtha's career as well with "investigations".

Its a win-win for Hoyer and his cabal: get him as speaker, throw Pelosi out of the way, and stab Murtha for screwing him out of the speaker's chair.

Posted by OldSpook 2009-05-13 11:34|| 2009-05-13 11:34|| Front Page Top

#5 Let em be the first to say:

What did Speaker Pelosi know, and when did she know it?

Posted by OldSpook 2009-05-13 11:35|| 2009-05-13 11:35|| Front Page Top

#6 Sounds good to me, OS. I'm all for the donks eating each other.

Posted by DarthVader 2009-05-13 13:30|| 2009-05-13 13:30|| Front Page Top

#7 Rep. Steny Hoyer, D-Md., called Republican challenges to Pelosi's assertion a diversion from the real question of whether the Bush administration tortured terrorist suspects.

If this is what it takes to help get that bitch outta there, I'm sure they'll have no problem doing your dirty work for you Steny. Harrrrumph harrrrumph harrrrumph to you...

Posted by tu3031 2009-05-13 14:05|| 2009-05-13 14:05|| Front Page Top

#8 For Steny is an honorable man ... Hmmm, May already, seems like March 15th.

Posted by DMFD 2009-05-13 21:44|| 2009-05-13 21:44|| Front Page Top

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