HOW TO BECOME A KING IN AMERICA
Like Colbert and his, "we know they are hardened terrorists because they are at Gitmo", BT puts his finger on the latest circularity to emerge from the Justice Department quadrant of the Bush Administration:
Here is the circularity in the analysis: Time and again the OLC memos conclude that the use of these interrogation techniques do not amount to the intentional infliction of severe physical or mental suffering (the torture standard) based upon the CIA’s own finding that these techniques don’t cross that line. But that is precisely the legal question the CIA (purportedly) is posing to the OLC: Do the interrogation techniques violate the anti-torture statute?
In the broadest sense, it appears that all you have to do is stir up some legal uncertainty, in order to transition from President to King, in America. Afterall, with a simpy OLC memo, you can do what you want, until the Court has ruled on it, at least, which may be a long time, if you get everything classified by the office of the Vice President or otherwise ... (including to make it impossible to get or present the evidence to bring the suit, as was done to librarians).
What is that phrase that Nixon reportedly uttered? "If it's secret, it's legal"? I think that's it. Check Legacy of Ashes.
