CIA Does Not Have Transcripts of the Interrogations from the Destroyed Tapes Published 1, December 13, 2007
Administration officials are reporting that the CIA not only destroyed the tapes of the two suspects at the center of torture scandal, but they also did not allow transcripts to be made. This a very irregular practice given the importance of the suspects and further evidence to support a conspiracy to avoid or destroy evidence of torture.
The Administration has always stressed that it only ordered waterboarding for the most important suspects. Yet, after taking these extraordinary measures, they now claim that all tapes were destroyed and no transcripts made. This is particularly curious when they claim the interrogations were full of useful information.
In the meantime, Democrats appear to be struggling to avoid discussion in the criminal act before the obstruction and particularly the criminal actor. The original crime was torture and the man who ordered it was the President. Yet, Democrats are once again framing the controversy to avoid addressing torture, which is not only a war crime but most obviously an impeachable offense. They seem to be getting a great deal of support from the mainstream media, which continues to focus on the obstruction and avoids reference to torture — despite the fact that waterboarding is clearly defined as torture by U.S. and international courts.
The Democrats seem to want to investigate a cover-up while avoiding the crime being concealed — or at least ignoring its commission. This is akin to investigating the conspiracy to destroy evidence of murder but never discuss the homicide. After saving Mukasey from a showdown on torture, however, this may be more difficult for the Democrats despite disclosures recently that leading Democrats knew of the waterboarding.