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On tonight's Countdown Former White House Counsel for Richard Nixon, John Dean, joined Keith Olbermann to discuss the recently revealed 2004 Bush DoJ secret memo endorsing torture. As always, Dean gets at the heart of the Bush administration crimes, giving a stellar rundown on their shameless behavior, shameful interpretations of the Geneva Conventions and their attempts to persuade Congress to change the laws in order to gain immunity for their crimes -- to which Dean adds:

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Dean: "...Not only should the congress not cede to their requests, they ought to extend the statute of limitations for another five years, make it a ten year statute of limitations so people would have vulnerability if these can be surfaced and dug out, because it's the only way to make the point that indeed, these are real laws. Otherwise it's a joke to even have them."

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LibertyLover's picture

Keith Rules!

LibertyLover's picture

I agree with John Dean. Extend the statute of limitations... it may take that long to completely unravel all the cr*p that this administration has been doing in secret. And then We as a country need to hold them accountable -- not before any global tribunal --- that is the only way that we will be able to restore the good name of the United States to it's former self.

ski's picture

You know what's scary here: part of me was hoping that Ashcroft didn't resign as AG. Thank you, Keith, for providing this vital service.

Zlad!'s picture

LibertyLover @ 2:

I agree with John Dean. Extend the statute of limitations... it may take that long to completely unravel all the cr*p that this administration has been doing in secret. And then We as a country need to hold them accountable -- not before any global tribunal --- that is the only way that we will be able to restore the good name of the United States to it's former self.

There should be no statute of limitations for torture. Period. Not in the USA I want to continue to live in.

Right on!'s picture

Zlad! @ 4:

LibertyLover @ 2:

I agree with John Dean. Extend the statute of limitations... it may take that long to completely unravel all the cr*p that this administration has been doing in secret. And then We as a country need to hold them accountable -- not before any global tribunal --- that is the only way that we will be able to restore the good name of the United States to it's former self.

There should be no statute of limitations for torture. Period. Not in the USA I want to continue to live in.

You said it! I'm also curious about the international court in The Hague... is there a statute of limitations where they couldn't or wouldn't go after these asshats in the white house for war crimes?

Clytemnestra's picture

no statute of limitations for torture!

And Dana Perino (sp) is beginning to give me the willies

orion's picture

Now if the Dems weren't so spineless and had a clue they would do as John Dean suggests. I hope this comes to fruition so these thugs in the white house will see time in prison for their crimes - against the citizens and against humanity.

Dustin's picture

Im about as far left as you can get [NO YOU AREN'T-Sitemonitor] but i support torture is some cases

orion's picture

Clytemnestra @ 6:

no statute of limitations for torture!

And Dana Perino (sp) is beginning to give me the willies

As well she should. Dana is a Bush robot - crank her up, tell her what to say and she does as she is told. Her eyes are empty; her head is hollow. She's a "stepford Bushbot" and very scary.

orion's picture

Dustin @ 8:

Im about as far left as you can get but i support torture is some cases</blockquote

Other than sticking to the letter of the law of the Geneva Conventions, how can you support torture and call yourself a liberal? I think you're a bit confused.

kaT's picture

[deleted - off topic]

Groucho's picture

until these people are held accountable for their actions,
we are ALL just as guilty as they are.

Americans as the NEW "good Germans" referring of course
those who might have opposed the Nazis in the early 1930's
and didn't.. WE have enabled the torturers, we are guilty as well!!

WE owe it to the rest of the world, people.. if Dick Cheney
is allowed to retire, without prosecution, to go fishing with
those grandchildren.. well that would be a travesty of justice.

where is the outrage?? (must be something good on TV, huh?!)

what the hell ever happened to my country!!???

kaT's picture

Dustin @ 8:

Im about as far left as you can get but i support torture is some cases

History shows that torture doesn't work, it yields fasle information.

Gekke's picture

Talk about outrage wheres the C&L post of this story

Marine may escape Haditha charge

An investigating officer has said no murder charges should be brought against a US marine accused of leading a massacre of Iraqi civilians.

BaScOmBe's picture

kaT @ 11:

Well, the laws in this country are a joke under W.

I saw today where a bunch of illegal teenagers marched on the Capitol complex in Sacramento, CA. They openly admitted they are illegals and their parents are working illegally in the U. S. but then they DEMANDED that the legislature of CA change the law so they can get tax dollars from legal Americans to go to college.

It's not enough they invade our country, now they are trying to extort money from Americans. These people are just criminal thugs who need to go back to Mexico. Oh, of course, they were carrying big Mexican flags--love Mexico--but insist the U. S. owes them a free college education because they sneaked into our country illegally.

r u related to tancredo?

Cowboy Bob in Austin's picture

The only two POSSIBLE explainations for the White House response here are LYING or DIMENTIA...

That's our beloved federal government!
Horsethieves, bank robbers... and now despicable VERMIN too!

Zenrage's picture

Zlad! @ 4:

There should be no statute of limitations for torture. Period. Not in the USA I want to continue to live in.

There should be no statute of limitations period.

aquarius2's picture

Yes, well what the Congress SHOULD do and what the Congress WILL DO is an entirely different matter. I agree that the statue should be extended but does anyone think that the Bush cabal is going to allow that? He will do everything in his power to prevent being held accountable for anything.

Orangutan.'s picture

Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeldt, and all these criminals should be in jail. they are not working for America.

aquarius2's picture

C&L I really hate the width of that yellow line. It has been months and months and I still can't get used to it. Just an OT thought.

jr's picture

I wish congress would listen to John Dean. His books and his articles on the findlaw site rule

AConfederacyofDunces's picture

Absolutely, indict and imprison these war criminals.

...

Orangutan. @ 19:

Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeldt, and all these criminals should be in jail. they are not working for America.

Unindicted War Criminals George W. Bush, Richard Cheney, Donald Rumsfeldt, and all these criminals should be in jail. they are not working for America

William Wallace's picture

IMPEACH!

Orangutan.'s picture

Take Action. End this Madness. Take a little time.

Amnesty International

ACLU

You know the routine.

motorfingaz's picture

Dana Perino 15 yrs ago!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=WALIARHHLII&mode=related&search=

moniker's picture

That was Dana Perino 15 minutes ago!

Jenny&#039;O's picture

Dustin @ 8:

Im about as far left as you can get but i support torture is some cases

---------------------------
you are not far left or even left at all. matter of fact you're not center or center right. you are a ultra right wing nutter if you believe torture is "gee sort of o.k. sometimes".
you are though completely full of horse crap.

Right on!'s picture

motorfingaz @ 26:

Dana Perino 15 yrs ago!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=WALIARHHLII&mode=related&search=

Jeebus, could you get a stupider person... what a hoot!

Gekke's picture

Dustin @ 8:

Im about as far left as you can get but i support torture is some cases

Satans little helper :)

nebtet's picture

i'm wondering if there's some international agency connected with the Hague and war crime tribunals to whom we can address a petition asking that they please PLEASE take our shameful war criminals away for trial and incarceration. i mean, if our lawmakers and courts won't do it ... someone else will have to.

**sigh** i've been embarrassed by my country's attitude and actions for almost 7 years now. the weight on the shame is really beginning to wear on me.

JD21's picture

Go Dean. Extending the SOL on torture would in effect toll the time during which these Fox Republicans in office covered up their activities.

that's picture

The Geneva conventions open to interpretation? What does she think it is, a freaking religious text?

uncle joe mccarthy's picture

has dana really ever read the geneva convention?

lies out of someone so attractive are still lies

Mike the Canuck's picture

uncle joe mccarthy @ 34:

has dana really ever read the geneva convention?

lies out of someone so attractive are still lies

If you were to mention the Geneva Convention to her, she would prolly remark that a convention in NY State(yes I know guys, the Geneva convention was written in Geneva Switzerland) has no bearing on US foreign policy

Dustin @ 8:

Im about as far left as you can get but i support torture is some cases

Funnily enough that is pretty much the attitude of Joesph Stalin.

You are kidding ..... right?

jct's picture

I am proud of all of you whom spoke up and confronted Dana on her right wing talking point....

I give so ticked off when they say, "I am a Democrat, or I am a liberal, but I think...and then say their right wing talking point.....

They mistakenly think we are as dumb as they are....no we think for ourselves....I.....

Edwin's picture

that @ 33:

The Geneva conventions open to interpretation? What does she think it is, a freaking religious text?

I was wondering about that. Did she mean the whole works (Geneva Conventons), or one aspect of them? If it's the whole works, the Nazis are innocent. They interpretted them to mean gas and ovens were allowed, "to protect their country".

Anyway, pretty or not, she's one evil bitch. She drinking the Koolaid, shooting it up, inhaling it, and probably getting boned by someone too (but not Larry Craig.)

Edwin's picture

Dustin @ 8:

Im about as far left as you can get [NO YOU AREN'T-Sitemonitor] but i support torture is some cases

No, you're just a freak. Now beat it, you crumb!!

Robt's picture

John Dean stating that Bush will push his agaenda even if it takes his Presedential ratings down to zero.

This is very troubling. That is the threshhold of a dictator.

The Democratic majority best understand what is at stake. There isn't any blackwater gated communitees safe enough for them to live comfortably in the aftermath from the zombie brain eater we will become.

Beyonce Welch's picture

Why hasn't Bush & Cheney been impeached yet ? Beyonce Welch - Americans say " No " to Fascism !

Blue Buddha's picture

Sign #23,485,184 that this country is fucked: Someone who was a council to Richard motherfucking Nixon points out the abuse and illegal activity of the Bush administration.

ferrofluid's picture

I am sure Adolf and the dying Third Reich had immunity laws passed to shield its members,
we still had the Nuremberg trials after the end of WW2 and were hunting down small and large nazis until recently.
No matter what Bushco does to try to domesticaly limit their liabilitys,
once they step off a plane anywhere else in the world the become customers of the prosecutors and the international human rights laws.

Spicegal's picture

I have such incredible outrage fatigue. Seems like people in this country have gotten to the point of being numb. The Bush administration is allowed to engage in unlawful behavior and destroy this country's reputation, so what else is new? No one does anything about it. Dana Perrino has the audacity to go before the press and lie her little a$$ off. The only way for this country to heal and begin to restore our integrity is to hold these criminals accountable, and so far, that's not happening. We are undoubtedly on the brink of Orwell's 1984.

slippytoad's picture

Dustin @ 8:

Im about as far left as you can get [NO YOU AREN'T-Sitemonitor] but i support torture is some cases

Whenever, I mean WHENEVER, someone comes onto a board like this and prefaces a right-wing talking point defense with "I'm about as far to the left," or "I'm a lifelong Democrat," I tend to dismiss the entire rest of whatever it was they said.

You're a troll from some little green football field. Go back there and talk amongst yourself.

Restinpeace's picture

I bet Bush/Cheny get special video cuts of the torture, and jack-off watching it.

AR's picture

Dustin @ 8:

Im about as far left as you can get [NO YOU AREN'T-Sitemonitor] but i support torture is some cases

Once you support torture in any form for any situation, you are as far-right as it gets. Get a reality check.

slippytoad's picture

Zenrage @ 17:

Zlad! @ 4:

There should be no statute of limitations for torture. Period. Not in the USA I want to continue to live in.

There should be no statute of limitations period.

For a crime against the body of another person, I completely agree. You hurt a person, you visit violence upon them, you leave them with that for the rest of their life. You should not be able to hide them out for seven years and then swagger around in front of them as if you've just been very clever.

We choose civilization. We choose it over savagery and brutality. The fundamental basis of civilization is human dignity. The theft of dignity ought to be treated with as much legal seriousness as the theft of life.

Dave's picture

I've said it before that the whole Bush gang should be prosecuted [deleted - do not advocate violence here.]

An Average Joe's picture

Dave @ 51:

I've said it before that the whole Bush gang should be prosecuted [deleted] crimes against humanity!

No argument here!

George's picture

Dana Prunes-- Note the RepubLick Advertising-"Sex sells ".Most obtuse males don't care of what she is saying all lies,but dreaming of the possibility of porking her.
What next replacement are in the works for Dana--Goo-Goo-Annie in Drag ?

tyree's picture

Clytemnestra @ 6:

no statute of limitations for torture!

And Dana Perino (sp) is beginning to give me the willies

yes this gal gives femminity a bad rep, but then even the german army used some blood thirsty bitches in thier army,

patthemonkey's picture

Its a joke to even have these laws since they are unenforceable.

Well's picture

There is not need to "extent" what is already without limitation: There is no statute of limitations on war crimes. Who is arguing that abuse of prisoners -- as prohibited by Geneva -- is "not a war crime"?

Mugsy's picture

I'm desperately trying to wrap my head around the notion that "leaving office with a 60% approval rating" is "a waste".

The goal is to leave office with a single digit approval rating that would result from pushing though policies that no one likes??? What kind of masochist wants their President to push through as many unpopular and detrimental policies as possible???

www.buzzflash.net's picture

John Dean To Congress: Extend Statute Of Limitations On Torture Crimes

Former White House Counsel for Richard Nixon, John Dean, joined Keith Olbermann to discuss the recently revealed 2004 Bush DoJ secret memo endorsing torture.Dean: “…Not only should the congress not cede to their requests, they ought to extend the s...

[...] Watch Video [...]

Dr. Know's picture

The GOP, silly boy...

Jack Damage's picture

I gotta say, all things considered.. John Dean may be the only person in my lifetime that I have any respect for at this point who claimed to represent the republican perspective at some point in his own past... I'm not sure what his politics are now, but he still doesn't shy away from cold hard truths...... It was he after all, and a few others, who popped the sordid watergate bubble... I will always hold some respect for him for that alone. JD

Jack Damage's picture

I'm kinda coming around to the 'Ilsa of the SS' notion regarding Dana Perino... She actually looks way too smart to really believe the bullshit she spews if she gave it any critical thought... So, I can only come to the conclusion she must be a true kool-aider...
What is it about fucking blondes, bottle or otherwise and this facist bullshit ruining our country? What't the hell is that all about..that embrace of Bushco... No, really... Its like a closet neocon campaign to coopt and ruin the reputation of blondes everywhere.....JD

Eddybaby's picture

orion @ 10:

Dustin @ 8:

Im about as far left as you can get but i support torture is some cases</blockquote

Other than sticking to the letter of the law of the Geneva Conventions, how can you support torture and call yourself a liberal? I think you're a bit confused.

Actually, if the thumbscrews were being put on Bush, Cheney, et al, I think I might turn my liberal head as well.

Leftside Annie's picture

America is dead. George Bush and his gang of neocon thugs killed her.

Dead Hippo's picture

Dean goes on to make another critical point that is often missed and rarely, if ever, mentioned in the traditional media outlets:

Well, let me tell you, one of the thoughts in conservative thinking and circles today is that they felt very bad when Ronald Reagan left office with a 60 per cent approval rating. They thought: "That's just a waste!" They want their president to not be loved, to not be particularly respected. They want him to drive their agenda. And so Bush, as he heads on down with these kinds of policies that are being revealed, is doing exactly what the core of his party wants him to do. So, I don't... it may get down to single digits, and then he won't "die rich", so to speak.

So much for bipartisanship; what the Democratic Party needs in order to emerge from its present doldrums (and historically low approcal rates for its members of Congress) is the balls to push for flat-out partisanship in progressive issues.

swarmofkillermonkeys's picture

Leftside Annie @ 62:

America is dead. George Bush and his gang of neocon thugs killed her.

Nah. Not dead.

Being held down and raped maybe. Not that that is really better, mind you.

And most of the country is watching. Or perhaps saying, "Hey, somebody should probably help her," while standing around, arms crossed.

She lives, she is being hurt. Why aren't you helping?

smchris's picture

John Dean has certainly matured into one of our society's "wise old men". I believe he has said that he still considers himself a conservative and is focused on advocating for the rule of law and the constitution in his writing. But I have to think he would make for a fantastic ticket with Daniel Ellsberg on the speakers' tour.

Brian's picture

swarmofkillermonkeys @ 64:

Leftside Annie @ 62:

America is dead. George Bush and his gang of neocon thugs killed her.

Nah. Not dead.

Being held down and raped maybe. Not that that is really better, mind you.

And most of the country is watching. Or perhaps saying, "Hey, somebody should probably help her," while standing around, arms crossed.

She lives, she is being hurt. Why aren't you helping?

You think she lives, but it is just the purposeless twitching of a newly brain dead corpse. A corpse that will be cremated by global warming over the next few decades.

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