Attorney General-nominee Eric Holder Jr. says waterboarding is torture.
At his Senate confirmation on Thursday, Holder issued a clear answer to a question that two previous attorney generals have deftly avoided.
Holder unequivocally said the harsh interrogation tactic that has been used by the CIA is torture.
At his Senate confirmation on Thursday, Holder issued a clear answer to a question that two previous attorney generals have deftly avoided.
Holder unequivocally said the harsh interrogation tactic that has been used by the CIA is torture.
It probably was going to happen in any case, but this pronouncement means that Bush will be compelled to pardon all CIA interrogators and their supervisors for any crimes committed while questioning prisoners. Otherwise, those employees would be subject to prosecution and, worse from Bush's perspective, might take plea deals in exchange for rolling over on the higher-ups. Bush always takes care of his friends, so he can't let that happen. Also, institutionally the Bush family has a deep connection to the intelligence world through GHWB's short stint as DCI, the oil industry and military contractors.
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