Hello Friends :)
As some of you know, I am in DC as we speak, because some of you, very generously, helped me get here, to particpate in an anti-torture conference : http//advocacydays.org I can in a couple of days early, and have had a truly blessed time. The lovely and talented mimi offered to host me, and she has been a completely generous and thoughful hostess. She has made my trip much, much easier in many ways.
Yesterday, I spent the day on Capital Hill going from Senate office to Senate office, asking that the Senators in question support the release of the 6,000 page report now before the Senate Intelligence Comittee on the CIA's use of torture since 9/11, using techniques, including walling and waterboarding, as specifically signed off by George Tennant. I have copy of the document he signed in my possession, and it is very interesting to me that he has largely slipped under the radar. The good news is that the overwhelming numbers of staffers that I met with told me that their bosses are working dilgently to have the report released.
Why is the release of the report so important ? EVERY adult American is obligated to know what was done in your name, by whom and where, and who authrorized it. I believe that the release of the report and the fury I hope it will engender in the American public will help to get torture and legal accountability for the torture inflicted by the United States since 9/11 back on the National Table. Not releasing the report, or releasing an Executive Summary, would be treating adult Americans as children. You are NOT not children and you have a responsibility.
Looking at the list of Senators on the Intelligence Committee, I think we have some opportunities. I would urge those of you in Calfornia to contact Senator Feinstein and urge her vote for the release of the FULL report. Ther rest of the current Democratic members of Intelligence Committee are: Jay Rockefeller (West Virginia), Ron Wyden (Oregon), Barbara Mikulski (Maryland), Mark Udall (Colorado), Martin Heinrich (New Mexico), and Angus King (Maine). If you are in their districts, in particular, please, please contact their offices and urge them to vote for release of the full report. Now, the Repubican members of the Committee are much less friendly to our postion: Saxby Chambliss (Georgia), Richard Burr (North Carolina), James Risch (idaho), Dan Coats (Indiana), Marco Rubio (Florida), Tom Coburn (Oklahoma) and Susan Collins (Maine). I think that there is a REAL opportunity here to push Senator Collins. Please, please, please, if you live in Maine (yes, I'm talking to you, Bill in PortlandMaine (( a shout out to the cause in Cheers and Jeers would be really helpful)), Common Sense Mainer, and, of course, commonmass) contact her office and make the case. The more she hears from us, the more likely she will be to bend and vote for the release of the full report. Thank you !
Last night, I had the extreme pleasure of meeting up with a few wonderful Kossacks for dinner and lively conversation :) It was GREAT ! You all ROCK ! We could have talked for hours more :) Thank you to mimi, who organized and hosted the meet up, and to everyone who came. Yes, photos were taken, and a full write should be posted by mimi, sometime today or tomorrow.
This trip has born real fruit for my mission, stopping torture as the law, policy and practice of the United States, and pushing to ensure that those responsible at the highest levels are held legally reponsible. I am so grateful to everyone who has helped this happen. Some of the smaller expenses (like baggage charges, getting business cards made, and other essentials) have added up, and I would be grateful for just a little more monetary help, to make the trip even more successful.
It is nearly time to go and formally check in to the conference, and then on to the Strategy Meeting for the National Religious Campaign Against Torture (one of the conference's sponsor organizations. More as I get time.
Thank you, Everyone, as always, for your support. I can't do what I do without you.
Standing for justice and accountability,
For Dan,
Heather
It would help to add my paypal address: chacounne@gmail.com
Thanks again. You make it possible.