Holder throwing in the towel on CIA investigation?

American Thinker ^ | September 19, 2009 | Clarice Feldman

[jazusamo]

Tom Maguire, citing the Washington Post, reports that AG Eric Holder seems to be winding down the much ballyhooed and widely criticized decision to investigate the CIA interrogators:

The WaPo reports that, having finished with the grandstanding and puffery, Attorney General Eric Holder's investigation into the already-investigated detainee abuse cases is narrowing and winding down.

Beyond the obvious problems - in addition to demoralizing the CIA they are investigating the foot soldiers, not the generals who ordered the policy - it turns out that technicalities of law, jurisdiction and evidence make prosecutions and convictions difficult.  That is hardly a surprise to the rest of us, but apparently it is news to Holder, who did not read the reports explaining the decisions not to prosecute before reopening the investigations:

Before his decision to reopen the cases, Holder did not read detailed memos that prosecutors drafted and placed in files to explain their decision to decline prosecutions. That issue has rankled GOP lawmakers and some career lawyers in the Justice Department, who question whether Holder's order was made based on the facts or on his political instincts.

But a government source asserted that Holder was briefed on some of the details by advisers and that the attorney general was troubled by the material he read. Authorities have not pointed publicly to new evidence or witnesses that would strengthen the cases under review.

This only makes him seem more incompetent. Tom thinks maybe he'll now have time to re-open the decision to drop the voter intimidation case against the Black Panthers.

I have a different view. I think that like Charles Gibson he's decided to play dumb rather than concede that he made a stupid judgment call to appeal to the party's left wing, a call which has drawn almost universal condemnation.

Either way, he looks foolish. If we accept the "government source's" version of the events, it's a good thing he decided to cut his losses early on this one. He would be well advised to seek new legal counsel though, because whoever told him reopening these cases was the thing to do is an idiot.

[jazusamo]

Whether incompetance or political bias and anti-Americanism on Holders part it has to come to an end.

[OSHA]

I love the sound of DUmmie heads exploding!

[jazusamo]

I hear you! :-)

[alecqss]

They still have heads?!!

[ProtectOurFreedom]

... technicalities of law, jurisdiction and evidence make prosecutions and convictions difficult.

Well, we certainly can't expect the nation's top cop to be up on the nuances of law, jurisdiction and evidence, can we?

[The Sons of Liberty]

I think it is time to investigate Holder. 0bama’s thugs have not been vetted at all and I sure we won’t have to look far to find some serious dirt. I think the CIA could “unofficially” point out where to look.

[roaddog727]

Exploding or imploding? Perhaps both - like a stellar black hole.

LOL!

[Vaduz]

Agree and the trick to take the heat of Obama failed.

[Ladysmith]

They still have heads?!!

Not sure... How can you tell?

[McGruff]

Need anymore proof Obama lies?

[jazusamo]

Exactly! Holder is incompetent but Zer0 brought him on to do his dirty work and he seems to be doing it.

[Paladin2]

Holder is apparently an idealillogicallog.

[Rennes Templar]

This administration is getting more pathetic by the day.

[Paladin2]

Holder was apparently acting stupidly.

[Brilliant]

The only way to stop the Dems is with bad polls.

[muawiyah]

Holder's incompetence blew the investigation into the assassination of Mary Caity Mahoney, a former White House intern working at a Starbucks near the White House.

[jazusamo]

Great post! It was a blatant lie on Zer0’s part.

[sport]

Nope, just delaying it.

[Freddd]

Well and people like me calling our Representatives and the White house and telling them ‘LEAVE OUR C.I.A. ALONE’!

[RushLake]

Maybe somebody sidled up to Panetta and said, “You might want to take a look at these pictures and documents sir.” Maybe Panetta said to his boss, “Sir, I think it could be very damaging to you personally and the future of your (lack of) administration if these pictures and documents gained general circulation in the world. Its up to you sir.”