In 1946, the United States prosecuted two Justice Department lawyers for a peculiar crime. They had written memoranda which, in disregard of international law, facilitated the torture and abuse of prisoners. They were sentenced to ten years in prison, less time served. That was in the days when the Justice Department lived up to its name. The case is called United States v. Altstoetter. It would be a good case for Michael Mukasey to read; his underlings could benefit from a reading, too, since the time is approaching when it’s going to have some direct impact in their own lives.
At least the Senate Democrats did one thing right. Jim Webb went in over the Christmas holiday for 10 seconds to call to order an empty room. But that prevented a recess and a recess appointment by Bush of the man he wants to make permanent head of the Office of Legal Counsel, Steven Bradbury. Bradbury is the guy who was installed as "acting" head to replace Daniel Levin when Gonzales took over. Daniel Levin, it seems, had begun to question waterboarding.
Too bad the Dems couldn't have found someone willing to keep recess at bay all the other many times Bush pulled that stunt.
....but hey, Clinton did it, too. (Score: Clinton, 139. Bush - in his first six years - 167.)
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