Showdown Over Destroyed CIA Tapes This Week

[struggle4progress]

n a closed door hearing scheduled for Wednesday, Congress plans to ask why the CIA destroyed tapes showing interrogations of suspected al-Qaeda operatives ... But the chief witness, former CIA official Jose Rodriguez, the man who ordered the destruction of the tapes, threatens to invoke the Fifth Amendment and remain silent, unless he is granted immunity from prosecution for anything he tells Congress.

Former U.S. prosecutor Alan Baron says, "If he takes the Fifth Amendment, if there's a hearing, it's like putting on 'Hamlet' without the prince." Chuckling, Baron adds, "Who's going to care?"

It's not funny to Congress, which is in a dilemma. If it grants immunity to Rodriguez, that could block a separate investigation being conducted by the Justice Department ...

http://abclocal.go.com/kfsn/story?section=news/national_world&id=5862204

[babylonsister]

1. Good. They need to get back to business. There's too much

unfinished business out there.

[H2O Man]

2. I respectfully disagree.

There will be no "showdown." There may be some theater. Nothing more.

[annabanana]

3. I am thinking of one of Keith's commentaries....

The entire administration is now nothing more than an organization dedicated to the purpose of "covering the ass" of the criminals in charge.

They are throwing one roadblock after another behind them as they run toward Jan '09, their pockets full of our money. leaving the house and all it's remaining valuables in shreds behind them.

Nothing short of "inherent contempt" charges can stop them now.

[struggle4progress]

4. CIA tapes figure won't appear at Congress hearing

By Randall Mikkelsen

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A former CIA official subpoenaed by Congress over his role in the destruction of interrogation videotapes will not appear at a hearing by lawmakers this week, his lawyer said on Monday ...

"Mr. R (Rodriguez) has been excused from appearing on Wednesday," his lawyer, Robert Bennett, said in an e-mail ...

A congressional aide said top CIA lawyer John Rizzo is the only one now scheduled to appear at the closed-door hearing.

Rodriguez remains under subpoena and could be called back. "We have deferred his appearance because his lawyer indicated he would not answer any questions, the aide said ...

http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSN1444588020080115