The UK and the US Senate Torture Report - Blair Era Politics

Telegraph: Reports " Downing Street admits: CIA torture report redacted at request of British spies..No 10 confirms British intelligence officials discussed redactions to torture report 'on grounds of national security' "

Lets Get Real:

The press, both and left and right smell a good story,  thus they will roll with this story, they all seems to want to nail Tony Blair to the story, shows when your out of office there is no cover or respect.   This blog is hardly a New Labour or Tony Blair fan, but when it comes to national security this blog supports the actions of Tony Blair.    The press have short memories, after 9/11 and 7/7 the people wanted their Government to ACT, it did not matter if it was lawful, they wanted to be protected.   There is no information that points to the fact that Blair knew what the CIA was up to,  the British PM can not know everything MI6 or MI5 do to protect the people.   It is time to let sleeping dogs sleep. 

POTUS on CIA torture policy - Bush Era Politics

The White House: Statement by President Obama on the CIA torture report, " Throughout our history, the United States of America has done more than any other nation to stand up for freedom, democracy, and the inherent dignity and human rights of people around the world.  As Americans, we owe a profound debt of gratitude to our fellow citizens who serve to keep us safe, among them the dedicated men and women of our intelligence community, including the Central Intelligence Agency.  Since the horrific attacks of 9/11, these public servants have worked tirelessly to devastate core al Qaeda, deliver justice to Osama bin Laden, disrupt terrorist operations and thwart terrorist attacks.  Solemn rows of stars on the Memorial Wall at the CIA honor those who have given their lives to protect ours.  Our intelligence professionals are patriots, and we are safer because of their heroic service and sacrifices.

In the years after 9/11, with legitimate fears of further attacks and with the responsibility to prevent more catastrophic loss of life, the previous administration faced agonizing choices about how to pursue al Qaeda and prevent additional terrorist attacks against our country.  As I have said before, our nation did many things right in those difficult years.  At the same time, some of the actions that were taken were contrary to our values.  That is why I unequivocally banned torture when I took office, because one of our most effective tools in fighting terrorism and keeping Americans safe is staying true to our ideals at home and abroad.

Today’s report by the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence details one element of our nation’s response to 9/11—the CIA’s detention and interrogation program, which I formally ended on one of my first days in office.  The report documents a troubling program involving enhanced interrogation techniques on terrorism suspects in secret facilities outside the United States, and it reinforces my long-held view that these harsh methods were not only inconsistent with our values as nation, they did not serve our broader counterterrorism efforts or our national security interests.  Moreover, these techniques did significant damage to America’s standing in the world and made it harder to pursue our interests with allies and partners.  That is why I will continue to use my authority as President to make sure we never resort to those methods again.

As Commander in Chief, I have no greater responsibility than the safety and security of the American people.  We will therefore continue to be relentless in our fight against al Qaeda, its affiliates and other violent extremists.  We will rely on all elements of our national power, including the power and example of our founding ideals.  That is why I have consistently supported the declassification of today’s report.  No nation is perfect.  But one of the strengths that makes America exceptional is our willingness to openly confront our past, face our imperfections, make changes and do better.  Rather than another reason to refight old arguments, I hope that today’s report can help us leave these techniques where they belong—in the past.  Today is also a reminder that upholding the values we profess doesn’t make us weaker, it makes us stronger and that the United States of America will remain the greatest force for freedom and human dignity that the world has ever known. "

Lets GET Real:

This is Obama blaming Bush 43 again, lets see if he is open to have a Senate review his drone strikes, were innocent people have been killed, lets put the Obama Administration through the ringer, have the Republicans go through ALL Obama's drone strikes, they will find enough to make him wish he was a Republican.   The Democrats want to play hardball, well the Republicans should show them how it is played, censure the Democratic Chairwoman of the US Senate Committee who released this report, revoke her security pass.   Then make the Oval justify every drone strike and those innocent that have been killed.    A Senate Report is a double edge sword, time to hit the Obama Administration with its own report. 

What did Tony Blair know about US torture - Bush Era Politics

Telegraph: Reports " However intelligence sources who spoke to The Telegraph earlier this year alleged that both Mr Blair and Mr Straw knew in detail about the CIA’s secret programme after the September 11 attacks and were kept informed “every step of the way”. "

Lets Get Real:

Even the right wing press is having a go at Tony Blair for his actions while PM, this is very unfair, do these people even remember 9/11 and 7/7, people wanted security and did not much care what was done in their name.   The left and those on the right who never liked Tony Blair will have a field day with this row, there will be questions in the House, the blogs will go over every detail in an attempt to nail Bush and Blair.    The people should just be happy that there was no major terrorist attack in the US and UK after 9/11 and 7/7.   The modern era has no thought of looking back and understanding the pressures that leaders had to face at a time of real crisis, they want to be smug and can not bring themselves to say thank you for the safety that these leaders bought to the people.  We as people and voters have understand that on the whole we would have made the same choices.