Mike Isikoff and Dan Klaidman put up a post about an hour ago letting the first blood for the Obama Administration’s intentional tanking of the OPR (Office of Professional Responsibility) Report. In light of Obama’s focused determination to sweep the acts of the Bush Administration, no matter how malevolent, under the rug and “move forward” the report is not unexpected. However, digesting the first leak in what would appear to be a staged rollout is painful:
…an upcoming Justice Department report from its ethics-watchdog unit, the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR), clears the Bush administration lawyers who authored the “torture” memos of professional-misconduct allegations.
While the probe is sharply critical of the legal reasoning used to justify waterboarding and other “enhanced” interrogation techniques, NEWSWEEK has learned that a senior Justice official who did the final review of the report softened an earlier OPR finding. Previously, the report concluded that two key authors—Jay Bybee, now a federal appellate court judge, and John Yoo, now a law professor—violated their professional obligations as lawyers when they crafted a crucial 2002 memo approving the use of harsh tactics, say two Justice sources who asked for anonymity discussing an internal matter. But the reviewer, career veteran David Margolis, downgraded that assessment to say they showed “poor judgment,” say the sources. (Under department rules, poor judgment does not constitute professional misconduct.) The shift is significant: the original finding would have triggered a referral to state bar associations for potential disciplinary action—which, in Bybee’s case, could have led to an impeachment inquiry.
Michael D. is experiencing some difficulties and could use prayers.[This is not Padre Mickey but another Michael D.]
Well, it's official now: John Kiriakou, the former CIA operative who affirmed claims that waterboarding quickly unloosed the tongues of hard-core terrorists, says he didn't know what he was talking about.With that admission, claims that waterboarding works sort of evanesce.
...
"I wasn't there when the interrogation took place; instead, I relied on what I'd heard and read inside the agency at the time."
In a word, it was hearsay, water-cooler talk.
You and your prayer group definitely helped me through this tough time, but I believe deeply that God closed one door and opened another. I feel very blessed and I feel that this is going to be a very good year for me. K. and I went to see the surgeon last week and we have a new left hip coming on March 16th. We've been working on the wedding stuff to knock out some small tasks.[Emphasis mine]
I am sorry to have been away for so long. In some ways, the full impact of my loss didn't hit me right away. And then I suddenly felt overwhelmed and I reacted by shutting down. And, I think, this loss had a massive impact on my physical health as well as my mental status. Of course, things are far from perfect now. But I seem to be doing better. A blog posting is impersonal compared with emails to my various friends. I will be catching up with emails sooner or later. But it seemed more important to let everyone know how I was doing in general, sooner rather than later.Mark, dear friend, we are just delighted to know you are still with us and rest assured you are held in prayer.
My youngest son, Mark Hill (age 39), is in the Colorado National Guard. His battalion is being deployed to Afghanistan where he will be for more than a year. He will be in supply serving with a multi-service task force.Almighty God, we entrust all who are dear to us to thy never-failing care and love, for this life and the life to come, knowing that thou art doing for them better things than we can desire or pray for; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Please keep him in your prayers.
ALSO: You may know that Tad [Karen's husband] is having double knee replacement next week (2/3). The plan is a few days in the hospital, then 2 weeks in rehab facility, then home. Please keep healing prayers for him.
Been watching the postings on Facebook about Jim Tuck. In case you didn’t know Sharon and him were in an accident north of Bakersfield on Monday night. They hydroplaned and get a guardrail. Jim was posting on FB and said they came thru it with some issues, but not in the hospital. He had 3 broken ribs and bruises. On Thursday Sharon made postings that said he was in ICU at the VA hospital with 4 broken ribs and a punctured lung and going thru blood transfusions due to the loss of blood from internal bleeding. Sharon just made a post that he has requested everyone to pray for him extensively as he is in severe pain on 3 different fronts. They are also doing a cat scan on him tomorrow. Just thought I’d let you know.O God of heavenly powers, by the might of your command you drive away from our bodies all sickness and all infirmity: Be present in your goodness with your servant Jim, that his weakness may be banished and his strength restored; and that, his health being renewed, he may bless your holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
