The CIA briefed me only once on some enhanced interrogation techniques . . . The only mention of waterboarding at that briefing was that it was not being employed . . . Those briefing me in September 2002 gave me inaccurate and incomplete information . . .[O]n February [5,] 2003, a member of my staff [Michael Sheehy] informed me that [other legislators] had been briefed that these techniques were now being used.
Nancy Pelosi, May 14, 2009 statement:
Much has been written about whether Pelosi knew about the initial torture of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and others. Over recent weeks we have been subject to leaks and statement by Pelosi and the CIA. What appears lost in the whole discussion, is that even if what Pelosi says is true, she is guilty of complicity in war crimes.
Yesterday, Testvet6778 stated
I was taught in Basic Training that "torture" was against the geneva convention and was at the top of the list of no-no's that could NOT be done anywhere at anytime and if anyone ordered you to do it, it was an "illegal order" and it was your duty to disobey it.
Simply put, while the question is open whether Pelosi knew that KSM was actively being tortured in September 2002, she was fully aware that torture had occurred by Feb. 2003. At that point she had a moral, and legal, obligation to act to stop it. It does not matter whether she was under orders from the government not to reveal classified information, for as Testvet says, it was Pelosi's duty to disobey an "illegal order."
It is also well known that torture continued to occur after Feb. 2003. As such, Pelosi's failure to follow the law, in part, resulted in the continued torture of prisoners under US policy.
Does this mean that Pelosi is as culpable as Bush, Cheney, and company? No. She is a lessor, though still major figure in this story of American moral failing. At a minimum, Pelosi must be impeached. Better yet, she should be investigated and tried. If what she has said publicly is true--she should be found guilty of complicity in war crimes.
Much has been written here about the attacks on Pelosi serving as a smokescreen to shield Bush, Cheney and company, and much of what has been said is true. But, Pelosi is not an innocent. She was actively, if belatedly, involved. Her six years of silence since 2003, while done for political expediency, were instrumental in allowing the continuation of torture by our government--in clear violation of the Geneva Convention.
We, as a democratic blog, cannot fall into the moral hypocrisy of the Republicans. It is time we call for Pelosi's resignation and a full investigation of Pelosi, Harman, Rockefeller along with Bush, Cheney, and company.