Pelosi, Obama battle over CIA accountability, reports Time magazine.
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1999599,00.html
The issue is the Intelligence Authorization Act
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intelligence_Authorization_Act
which has zeroed out every year since 2005.
The annual measure, first introduced in 1991, seeks to enforce a long-ignored proviso of the Constitution that requires regular accountability of ALL -- which would include CIA -- expenditures. Pelosi wants staffers of Congress's General Accounting Office to be able to examine the CIA's books. At present, such employees, who hold appropriate security clearances, are able to look at classified Pentagon programs.
Pelosi also wants the CIA to tell all members of congressional intelligence committees about significant covert actions. She maintains that she was misled about the CIA's "enhanced interrogations" of al Qaeda captives and others.
Interesting how the U.S. Constitution is repeatedly such a pain in the neck to spooks and presidents.
The masterminds of truly fiendish torture regimens are getting off without even a wrist slap, reports the Public Record.
http://pubrecord.org/torture/7897/zubaydah-against-torture-architect/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=zubaydah-against-torture-architect
There is no doubt that U.S. torturers cast a very large doubt over the possibility of fair trials for the captives and that the government gravely damaged its credibility concerning its 9/11 storyline.
When do 'hate speech' laws become censorship?
http://info.ifex.org/View.aspx?id=212156&q=218059680&qz=554007
Arson strikes Russian journalist's home.
http://info.ifex.org/View.aspx?id=212127&q=218035168&qz=2dca5f
Muslim woman startled at lack of understanding of her point in the Mohammed cartoon controversy.
http://blog.dawn.com/2010/06/22/the-extremist-mindset/
Mexican reporter fired after drug article draws threats.
http://info.ifex.org/View.aspx?id=211936&q=217817940&qz=2161c2
Was Helen Thomas badly misquoted?
http://citizenjeff.com/2010/06/kooky-rabbi-misquotes-helen-thomas/
The fact that Pelosi is demanding that Congress exercise its Constitutional right to hold the CIA accountable is the best news I've heard all year. It's awesome to hear that Congressional Democrats are doing something right for a change. Of course, I'd be happier if she would introduce a bill abolishing the CIA (and about 16 other agencies that spy on Americans). But I understand the importance of being realistic. I right about my own close encounter with US intelligence in my recent memoir THE MOST REVOLUTIONARY ACT: MEMOIR OF AN AMERICAN REFUGEE.
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