The Gist

Dems Seek Special Prosecutor on Torture

Democratic congressional leaders are finally trying to hold the Bush Administration accountable for their widespread use of "enhanced interrogations," which is Bushspeak for torture.

"In a letter to Attorney General Michael B. Mukasey, the lawmakers cited what they said is "mounting evidence" that senior officials personally sanctioned the use of waterboarding and other aggressive tactics against detainees in U.S.-run prisons overseas. An independent investigation is needed to determine whether such actions violated U.S or international law, the letter stated.

"This information indicates that the Bush administration may have systematically implemented, from the top down, detainee interrogation policies that constitute torture or otherwise violate the law," it said. The letter was signed by 56 House Democrats, including House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers Jr. (D-Mich.) and House Intelligence Committee members Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) and Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y)."

Although Conyers' committee has investigated "enhanced interrogation" at Abu Ghraib, Guantanamo Bay and other places, his letter also asked the Justice Department to appoint a special prosecutor to look into the practices. Oh and while we're on the subject, it came to light today that Pentagon leaders urged interrogators to destroy evidence.