We intrepid researchers at the History Commons (formerly the Center for Cooperative Research -- you know this site) have busted our collective asses to put together a 74-item compendium of everything we can find, so far, on the CIA tapes scandal, going back to 2001. (I can't take much credit for this one, I only contributed a few entries.) We want to make you aware of it, and give you an opportunity to contribute.
Here's the link to the CIA tapes timeline.
More below.
This is the e-mail we're sending out to our list.
In recent days, the revelation that the CIA destroyed some interrogation videotapes has become front page news. This scandal is likely to stay in the headlines for months to come—there are as many as ten new investigations being launched.
But why is there such outrage about the destruction of these tapes? Why is the Bush administration completely stonewalling any real investigation of the matter?
In an effort to answer these questions, contributors to the History Commons project are compiling a detailed timeline about the scandal. The timeline, which is so far 25,000 words in length, reveals that there is far more to the case than previously believed. Most of the destroyed videotapes appear to have been from the interrogation of al-Qaeda leader Abu Zubaida, which turns out to not only be a pivotal event for this scandal, but for the whole "war on terrorism." The CIA and White House have much to hide about what happened back then, and what Zubaida revealed.
The CIA tapes scandal has been reported in bits and pieces, but this new timeline brings together virtually everything that is known on the topic, allowing you to really understand what's going on. Because this scandal is so important, in the days and weeks to come we will be rapidly updating the timeline with all the latest developments.
Please take the time to read it. Yes, it's quite long, but it's important for every politically concerned citizen to learn about the complete disregard for the rule of law shown over and over again in the events portrayed here. And once you're done, please share the timeline with others, and please consider donating to our website so we can keep functioning. Our current fund drive has fallen far short of our goals, and unless we get a lot of help and fast we may have to stop all new work!
We're also asking interested readers to take a survey to help us revamp and redesign the site: History Commons survey.
Thanks for taking part.