Interrogation Memos Released – Is Need for ‘Transparency’ Greater than Security?

by Pam Meister

Memos detailing the Bush administration’s legal guidance for the interrogation of terror suspects were released yesterday, despite the CIA’s concern that national security may be compromised.

According to Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, the decision to release the memos was related to Freedom of Information Act lawsuit filed by the ACLU, which argued that officials should be held accountable for “torture” of terrorism suspects. Of course, there will be redactions, yada yada, and – wait for it – President Obama will take yet another opportunity to use his teleprompter to make a statement. (I hope he pays that teleprompter well.)

Maybe the Obama administration could just hold an Open House in Washington, similar to the open houses held at public schools each fall. However, instead of featuring students’ work for proud parents to look over, they could just spread out all of the memos from the Bush administration for anyone with an interest to look at while serving cookies and punch. Beats smuggling them out of the National Archives in your socks.

So let’s see: In less than three months in office, President Obama has apologized to the world for American arrogance; bowed down to the Saudi king; is considering dropping a key American insistence that Tehran shut down its nuclear facilities in order to get Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to the tea table; Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has blamed Mexican drug cartel violence on Americans’ “insatiable need” for drugs; DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano now refers to terrorism as “man-caused disasters;” and the War on Terror – an incorrect moniker to begin with – is now being referenced to as an “overseas contingency operation.” Overseas contingency operation? Couldn’t they come up with anything snappier, like “American imperialist domination”?

Meanwhile, the National Security Agency has been intercepting phone calls and e-mails made by Americans at a rate that goes beyond limits set by Congress last year. Interestingly enough, news of this “’over-collection’ of domestic communications of Americans” comes during the same week we learn of a report by the DHS that warns law enforcement officials that “right wing extremists” might be recruiting and planning. It’s most likely a coincidence, but not one that inspires confidence.

Back in Bush’s day, this was called “warrantless wiretapping” and “domestic spying.” Today it’s the “over-collection of domestic communications.” And where are the civil rights protesters who salivated over Bush’s actions? What a difference an election makes.

My title asks if the need for transparency is more important than our security. Perhaps the question should be, is political expedience more important than our security?

Kentucky Fried Chicken is famous for jealously guarding the secret recipe for its “finger lickin’ good” chicken, which represents the company’s stock in trade – but to the Obama administration, our national security secrets merit less care than the Colonel’s Original Recipe chicken. Pass me a leg, mashed potatoes with gravy and one of those biscuits, please. I could use some comfort food about now.