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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2009
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Reid Resists Torture Commission

Senate leader rejects Pelosi, joins Obama in opposing panel

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(Newser) – Harry Reid will back President Obama in resisting calls to immediately create an independent commission to probe the CIA's harsh interrogation program, the New York Times reports. The majority leader, backed by other top Senate Democrats, said it would be "very unwise" to start establishing commissions or tribunals before the Senate Intelligence Committee completes its own investigation.

Reid—an outspoken critic of the interrogation program during the Bush administration—said forming a special panel now would smack of retribution and distract from the Democratic agenda. Reid's desire for a go-slow approach puts him at odds with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other prominent Democrats who have called for a 9/11-type independent commission to be formed, but he downplayed talk of a rift.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has called for the creation of a 9/11-style truth commission to probe the CIA's Bush-era interrogation program.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has called for the creation of a 9/11-style truth commission to probe the CIA's Bush-era interrogation program.   (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari)
"I think it would very unwise from my perspective to start having commissions, boards, tribunals until we find out what the facts are," said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.   (AP Photo/Lauren Victoria Burke, File)
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I don’t think there is a division among Democrats. Retribution should not be a part of what we’re
talking about.
- Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid

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11 comments
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cornelison
Apr 24, 09 3:17 AM CDT
If it's too inconvenient for politicians to investigate war crimes then they should resign from Congress. Using torture brings shame on the USA & the world is watching. Reply
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TerrifiedCitizen
Apr 24, 09 3:45 AM CDT
Will the Senate Intelligence Committee complete its own investigation in this century? The senate isn't exactly built for speed, except when expediency requires torture and you stand by while national and international laws are ignored and broken for convenience. Reply
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oldgoat
Apr 24, 09 3:52 AM CDT
I think that some of these congress people would worry about having to do some answering about what and when they knew about the tortures. Reply
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riffran
Apr 24, 09 4:33 AM CDT
agree..a move of potential self preservation, and plausable deniability....to minimize any possible political fallout Reply
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stormy7
Apr 24, 09 6:19 AM CDT
Accountability is not retribution. Time for you to step down Mr Reid. Reply
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