There's The Matter Of Torture, Senator

This Boston Globe story notes that Sen. Patrick Leahy wants Attorney General nominee Michael Mukasey to answer a range of questions about how Bushco operates, from the warrantless wiretaps to the firing of the prosecutors who didn’t do the bidding of Abu G and the Senate Repugs.

(Hmm, “Abu G. And The Senate Repugs”; does that sound like a name for a punk garage band playing at the Khyber in downtown Philly or something? Just wondering…).

However, as important as those other issues are, the story only makes a passing reference to torture, or, as the Globe puts it, “interrogation methods with captured terrorist suspects” (a matter which, along with just about everything else, is “off limits” as far as White House lawyer Fred Fielding is concerned).

Gee, Fred, Vermont is lovely this time of year. What else is Leahy supposed to talk about, then? The onset of the fall foliage season?

One day we will be governed by adults again (and of course, White House spokesperson Dana Perino says that, “we don’t torture,” which is kind of like me saying, “I don’t type” – maybe I’m just a little unruly because the Phils are getting pummeled by the Rockies at this moment).

All attempts at snark aside, I should note this article in today’s New York Times that tells us…

(Two) memos were disclosed in Thursday's editions of The New York Times, which reported that (a February) 2005 legal opinion authorized the use of simulated drownings and freezing temperatures while interrogating terror suspects, and was issued shortly after then-Attorney General Alberto Gonzales took over the Justice Department.

That secret opinion, which explicitly allowed using the painful methods in combination, came months after a 2004 opinion in which the Justice Department publicly declared torture ''abhorrent'' and the administration seemed to back away from claiming authority for such practices.

I sincerely hope Sen. Leahy makes it clear to Mukasey that this typical disregard for something like humane practices for suspects in our custody will be fought vigorously, if for no other reason then because it would subject our people abroad to the same treatment (at least, Leahy can politely suggest this before the Senate rolls over and gives Bushco what it wants yet again).

As noted here, I’m definitely not a fan of Mukasey, but he may be as good as we’ll get from this bunch (shouldn't get a free pass, though he'll likely get one). And while I respect those who say that a new AG should not be confirmed until this administration comes clean with what the Judiciary Committee wants, I think the more practical thing to do is get someone in there to replace Abu G. who could end up doing some good.

And besides, though we should fight Dubya & Co. on this until the end, we should realize that they will never give Leahy what he wants anyway.