GAO blocks contract to Blackwater to train Afghan police

By GottaLaff



Here's an idea. Block Blackwater, period:

Federal auditors on Monday put a stop to Army plans to award a $1 billion training program for Afghan police officers to the company formerly known as Blackwater, concluding that other companies were unfairly excluded from bidding on the job.

DynCorp International Inc. protested because they weren't allowed to submit bids when training management went from State to the Army. Hey, somebody had to protest, and it's about time somebody was acknowledged.

Anybody. For any reason. At this point, the more blockage the better until these guys are blocked out of e-Xe-stence.

Now the bidding will begin again, and Blackwater will get another shot. Too bad.

But Carl Levin, who happens to be chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, is speaking out. Kudos to him:

Levin cited a history of allegedly abusive behavior by the contractor's employees, including misappropriation of government weapons and hiring of workers with criminal records that included assault and drug offenses. He also accused managers of the private security company of lying to win lucrative jobs in Afghanistan.

And yet they're still allowed to be part of the bidding process.

"If this contract is re-bid and Blackwater is among the bidders, I hope that the Defense Department will take a close look at the company to determine if it is a suitable contracting partner for the U.S. government," [Levin] said.

Let's hope that starts the ball rolling on why we have anything dealings with these thugs. State Department, are you listening? Hillary?

Bueller?

Feds: Blackwater Saves Taxpayers Money

By GottaLaff

I wouldn't care if they saved us billions, there is no justification for their existence. Period:

But a new government report says they may actually have saved U.S. taxpayers money. The State Department saves roughly $900 million a year using private firms to protect American diplomats in Iraq rather than relying on U.S. government employees, according to a recently published review by the non partisan Government Accounting Office.

Here are the reasons they give for the differences. Ready?

The state department did not have to pay overtime or provide benefits or vacation time to the contractors. They were not saddled with extensive travel and housing costs. And they did not have to outfit them with weapons and gear.

Seriously. Those are the reasons. Well, then, by all means, go with Blackwater, er, Xe, er, Blackwater, er, Murder Inc.

But wait, it gets even better:

The report noted that the State Department would have been "reluctant to hire third country nationals to provide security in Iraq because the department does not want to be perceived as hiring mercenaries."

I'm sorry, but did I just wake up in Crazy World?

Moral of the story: Money first... Except for Jan Schakowsky. She's smart that way:

Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), who has sponsored a bill to outlaw government contracts to private security companies, defended her bill against the report, told ABC News that money was not the biggest factor in assessing the value of contractors in war zones.

And with that, it's time to re-introduce my old primer, Blackwater for Dummeez. Consider it a refresher course on who these thugs are:

BLACKWATER FOR DUMMEEZ

What is Blackwater USA, boys and girls? Blackwater USA is an international security contractor founded in 1997 by Erik Prince and is based in the U.S, . state of North Carolina where it operates a tactical training facility that it claims is the world's largest. Wow!

Let's take a peek into their world, in their very own words, where they claim to be: "The most comprehensive professional military, law enforcement, security, peacekeeping, and stability operations company in the world".

Our leadership and dedicated family of exceptional employees adheres to an essential of core corporate values- chief among these are integrity, innovation, excellence, respect, accountability, and teamwork.

In doing this, we have become the most responsive, cost-effective means of affecting the strategic balance in support of security and peace, and freedom and democracy everywhere.

Blackwater's Federal Contracts

Year Amount Paid

2001 $736,906

2002 $3,415,884

2003 $25,395,556

2004 $48,496,903

2005 $352,871,817

2006 $593,601,952

Well, howdy-do, that's impressive!

Now! What do they do? Stuff that includes integrity, innovation, excellence, respect, accountability, and teamwork? Nah, they were just kidding. They do this:

The lead Suburban in our convoy loomed up behind an old, puttering sedan driven by an older man with a young woman and three children. As we approached at typical breakneck speed, the Blackwater driver honked furiously and motioned to the side, as if they should pull over. The kids in the back seat looked back in horror, mouths agape at the sight of the heavily armored Suburbans driven by large, armed men in dark sunglasses. The poor Iraqi driver frantically searched fora means of escape, but there was none. So the lead Blackwater vehicle smashed heedlessly into the car, pushing it into the barrier. We zoomed by too quickly to notice if anyone was hurt.

That's what they do.

Who's in charge? Just a dickens of a guy! Erik Prince! And what a resume has he!

Born: 6-Jun-1969 Religion: Born-Again Christian Race or Ethnicity: White
Sexual orientation: Straight Occupation: Business, Military Party Affiliation: Republican Executive summary: Founder, Blackwater USA Military service: Navy SEAL Team Officer (1993-96, Bosnia, Haiti)

Erik Prince is a multi-millionaire right-wing fundamentalist Christian from a powerful Michigan Republican family. His wealth came from his father, Edgar Prince (d. 1995, billionaire, started Family Research Council with Gary Bauer). A major Republican campaign contributor, he interned in the White House of President George H.W. Bush and campaigned for Pat Buchanan in 1992, finding time to intern for conservative congressman Dana Rohrabacher as well. Prince founded the security and mercenary firm Blackwater USA in 1997 with Gary Jackson, another former Navy SEAL.

Prince's sister Betsy DeVos is a powerful conservative in her own right. Married to the son of Richard DeVos (Republican bankroller and co-founder of Amway), she served as chair of Michigan Republican Party in the 1990s. His mom is Elsa Prince Broekhuizen (Republican Party funder, remarried)

Can you say mercenary? I knew that you could. Now why would I go and ask a thing like that? Here's why!

In the capital, American officials said a joint U.S.-Iraqi commission formed to look into last month's shooting incident in which Blackwater USA security guards killed at least 11 Iraqis had yet to meet. In addition, most members of an FBI team that also will investigate the Sept. 16 shootings have not arrived and probably will not get to Iraq until next week, said U.S. Embassy spokeswoman Mirembe Nantongo.

Why, there were more killings than we can count! There was the one where a drunk killed a guard on Christmas, and there was one where…oh never mind. Now remember, boys and girls, killing is bad. Killing for money is worse. And killing for money with no repercussions is worst of all!

No need to worry, because there's o-ver-sight. Can you say oversight? Yes, the U.S. Congress is on the job! Or are they...?

Darrell Issa: On the "Democrat side", this isn't about Blackwater. It's a repeat of the MoveOn dot Org attack on Petraeus' patriotism. They'll simply switch targets. I'm here to defend General Petraeus and our men and women in uniform.

Oooopsies! Well, kids, sometimes love can be misplaced. Erik Prince has a lot of love to share, too, but in the form of big fat checks:

Prince's latest donation was in July, when he gave $20,000 to the National Republican Congressional Committee. California recipients of Prince's $1,000 checks include Reps. Jerry Lewis and Duncan Hunter, a current GOP presidential candidate, and former Rep. Richard Pombo.

The former serviceman has given almost all of his donations to Republicans. There was, however, an exception in 2006, when he donated $5,000 to the Green Party of Lucerne County, Pa. That was a Republican ploy to ensure the Green Party's U.S. senate candidate got on the ballot in an effort to peel votes away from Democrat Bob Casey and help Republican Rick Santorum. The effort failed and Casey won.

What's a mercenary to do? He has to invest his hard earned wages somewhere, doesn't he?

Well, kiddies, that's enough for today. No go eat your supper before it gets cold. You can sit in front of the TV and catch up on the latest news. What could be more fun than all the dinner you can eat, and all the Blackwater you can stomach?

Cartoon of the Day

He's at it again. Click to enlarge, via.

State Department Still Unsure of Its Role One Year Later

By GottaLaff

(Image: Lance Page / t r u t h o u t; Adapted: marcn, mindfrieze)

I have a very smart friend, Allen McDuffee, who also happens to be extremely nice and a good writer. He has a new post up at Truthout. I'll share a little of it with you, and then you can read the whole thing here:

One year after Obama takes office and appoints Hillary Clinton secretary of state, the State Department struggles to determine whether it really wants to separate from the Pentagon.

At a December 3 closed briefing to a group of foreign policy journalists from the Knight Center for Specialized Journalism on the concept of "smart power" under the Obama administration, State Department spokesman Ian Kelly said that the Obama administration was taking "a more holistic approach to national affairs." [...]

Citing the Obama administration's mantra of the Three D's: Defense, Diplomacy and Development, Kelly said that implementing "smart power is a rebalancing of our foreign policy." Smart power - a concept that combines the hard power of the military with the soft power of diplomacy - has gained increasing acceptance in foreign policy and military circles as a reaction to right size the Bush administration's heavily militaristic policies.

Yet, while insisting on the smart power model as the right model for the United States, the State Department is still struggling with its relationship to the Pentagon, how it will "reimagine itself" and, ultimately, how hard and soft power will work together in practice.

It's the thought that counts.

More here.

Video- The Party Crashers Speak

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

I am just all broke up for their situation. Poor, poor things.

Video- White House Party Crashers

Seriously f'd up.

Video- President Obama Toasts Prime Minister Singh of India

What. A. Dress.

Video- First Lady Michelle Obama Discusses State and Official Visits

Some more background on the food and settings here.

ACLU sues Defense, State Dep't., DoJ, CIA for files on Bagram prisoners

By GottaLaff

Go get 'em, ACLU!

After months of asking politely and being refused, the American Civil Liberties Union has sued the U.S. Departments of Defense, State and Justice, along with the Central Intelligence Agency, to obtain files on prisoners in U.S. custody at the Bagram detention center in Afghanistan.

"There is growing concern that Bagram has become the new Guantánamo – except with hundreds more prisoners, held indefinitely in reportedly harsher conditions, with no access to lawyers or courts," said Melissa Goodman, staff attorney with the ACLU National Security Project, in a media advisory. "Yet the public is still in the dark when it comes to basic facts such as whom our military is holding there, for how long and on what grounds, and the rules that govern their detention, release and treatment. As long as the Bagram prison is shrouded in secrecy, there is no way to know the truth or begin to address the problems that may exist."

Sound familiar? It should (see bottom of post). I write about this nearly every day. Why? Because, as we say about the Rushpublics, repetition, repetition, repetition works. We need to pay attention to these injustices and not let up until we see real change.

But unlike the prisoners at Guantanamo Bay -- the US naval base in Cuba where over 200 "war on terror" detainees are still held -- the Bagram inmates have had no access to lawyers, no right to hear the allegations against them and only rudimentary reviews of their status as "enemy combatants."

President Barack Obama's administration argued in a filing with the US Court of Appeals in Washington that terror suspects at Bagram should not be allowed to challenge their decision in US courts, a right the Supreme Court has granted to Guantanamo detainees.

US District Judge John Bates ruled in April that foreign prisoners held at Bagram should also be provided that right, enshrined in the writ of habeas corpus. [...]

"When prisoners are in American custody and under American control, no matter the location, our values and commitment to the rule of law are at stake," said Jonathan Hafetz, staff attorney with the ACLU National Security Project, in an April press release. "Now that President Obama has taken the positive step of ordering Guantánamo shut down, it is critical that we don't permit ‘other Gitmos' to continue elsewhere."

It's time for President Obama to take positive leaps, not steps. From what I've been hearing from reliable sources, DoJ isn't doing the Gitmo prisoners any favors, either.

****

All my previous posts on this subject matter can be found here; That link includes one specific to only Fayiz al-Kandari's story here. Here are audio and video interviews with Lt. Col. Wingard, one by David Shuster, one by Ana Marie Cox, and more. My guest commentary at BuzzFlash is here.

If you are inclined to help rectify these injustices: Twitterers, use the hashtag #FreeFayiz. We have organized a team to get these stories out. If you are interested in helping Fayiz out, e-mail me at The Political Carnival, address in sidebar to the right; or tweet me at @GottaLaff.

If you'd like to see other ways you can take action, go here and scroll down to the end of the article.

Then read Jane Mayer's book The Dark Side. You'll have a much greater understanding of why I post endlessly about this, and why I'm all over the CIA deception issues, too.

More of Fayiz's story here, at Answers.com.

Whistleblowers Unveil More ArmorGroup Allegations

By GottaLaff

Original posts here and here.

Class-wise, this group ranks right down there with people like Joe Wilson. Maybe he'd consider signing up? Nah, Wilson could never pass the physical... although he'd most likely be into that whole pee thing:

In a press conference revolving around an unlawful-termination lawsuit filed against ArmorGroup, former senior company officials said ArmorGroup was aware of widespread fraud; intentional use of non-English speaking guards to save money at the expense of embassy security; operations of a shell corporation in order to win contracts intended only for American companies; and even involvement in prostitution — and that the State Department knew about at least some of the company’s illicit practices.

Oy.

Lots and lots more here.

"Animal House" ArmorGroup Forces Embassy Whistleblower to Resign

By GottaLaff

By now you're familiar with the "Animal House" style "hazing" that took place in Kabul (original posts here and here).

It looks like the wrong people are being forced out:

How is ArmorGroup responding to the allegations that it's Kabul embassy guards were engaging in a range of unbecoming conduct? The firm has so far declined to issue any comment. Behind the scenes, however, it has taken swift action, though not against those of its employees who engaged in or approved of lewd behavior, humiliating hazing rituals, and other practices that put the embassy at risk. Rather, says the Project on Government Oversight, the company has retaliated against one of the whistleblowers who brought these explosive allegations to the watchdog group's attention:

One of the whistleblowers who helped expose the guard scandal at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul has just been forced to resign after his company—whose client is ArmorGroup, North America (AGNA)—came to believe that he had reached out to D.C. for assistance. The company told POGO that the whistleblower’s resignation was voluntary.

However, information obtained by the Project On Government Oversight (POGO) strongly suggests he was pressured into resigning to avoid being fired, an action often referred to as constructive dismissal.

POGO is deeply concerned about the action allegedly taken against the whistleblower. He is being forced out at a time when three of the supervisors responsible for allowing the misconduct at Camp Sullivan have been allowed to quietly resign and escape accountability. As per our letter to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton of September 1, 2009, POGO calls on the State Department to take immediate action to protect both the physical and employment security of whistleblowers who have stepped forward with allegations of serious misconduct involving ArmorGroup, North America and others.

There is a lot more to read, and I suggest you do.

This is unacceptable on so many levels. The State Department better kick all the right butts on this one, or their credibility will be shot. This entire episode gets more appalling by the day.

It's time to for State to clean up ArmorGroup's act, and their own, immediately.

In fact, it's time to have a serious investigation into these so-called contractors. Blackwater/Xe and ArmorGroup have got to go, and our military needs to go back to doing the work they used to do.

Secretary of State calls for investigation of "Animal House" security contractors

By GottaLaff

Photos via Gawker. Follow the link for more frat party on crack photos.

Per a presser just now on MSNBC, the State Department is going to send a team to Kabul to investigate the Animal House style "hazing" craziness that I posted about here yesterday.

Liveblog:

The spokesman said they weren't aware of some of the activities, but knew there were issues with language, 14 hour days, employees verging on physical exhaustion. Then the pictures came out, of the groping, the peeing on each other, eating chips out of butt cracks, and everything else I mentioned earlier, including the prostitutes.

So, yes, an investigation has been ordered by Secretary of State Clinton.

But why did it take Gawker to spur an investigation of... security contractors? Why didn't POGO feel that releasing the information elsewhere would get the attention they needed in order to get someone to listen? Sad commentary, if, indeed, they felt the need to resort to Gawker to get this kicked this into the public eye.

Sadder still is what has been taking place at our embassy and how many thousands the guards over at the State Department facilities in Kabul pull in while so many of us can barely scrape up enough money for a mammogram or a life-saving medical procedure.

Security contractors in Afghanistan: Drunken brawls, prostitutes, pee on people, threaten subordinates

By GottaLaff

Will somebody please explain how the administration can justify renewing contracts with Blackwa-- er, Xe-- and now ArmorGroup? Between GmailFail and this, my head is exploding:

Drunken brawls, prostitutes, hazing and humiliation, taking vodka shots out of buttcracks— no, the perpetrators of these Animal House-like antics aren't some depraved frat brothers. They are the private security contractors guarding Camp Sullivan, otherwise known as the US Embassy in Kabul.

Oh, but it's not just hazing, it's "deviant hazing."

Guards have come to POGO with allegations and photographic evidence that some supervisors and guards are engaging in near-weekly deviant hazing and humiliation of subordinates. [...] The lewd and deviant behavior of approximately 30 supervisors and guards has resulted in complete distrust of leadership and a breakdown of the chain of command, compromising security.

Numerous emails, photographs, and videos portray a Lord of the Flies environment. One email from a current guard describes scenes in which guards and supervisors are "peeing on people, eating potato chips out of [buttock] cracks, vodka shots out of [buttock] cracks (there is video of that one), broken doors after drnken [sic] brawls, threats and intimidation from those leaders participating in this activity…." Photograph after photograph shows guards—including supervisors—at parties in various stages of nudity, sometimes fondling each other. These parties take place just a few yards from the housing of other supervisors.

Multiple guards say this deviant hazing has created a climate of fear and coercion, with those who declined to participate often ridiculed, humiliated, demoted, or even fired. The result is an environment that is dangerous and volatile. Some guards have reported barricading themselves in their rooms for fear that those carrying out the hazing will harm them physically. Others have reported that AGNA management has begun to conduct a witch hunt to identify employees who have provided information about this atmosphere to POGO.

Aw, come on, that's not so bad. Remember, BushCo and other Rushpublics claim waterboarding is tantamount to splashing water in someone's face. If torture could be compared to a frat party, so could this, right? Pfft. What's a little peeing between, er, on, friends?

These allegations, and many more, are contained in a letter sent to Secretary of State of Hillary Clinton on Tuesday by the Project on Government Oversight, which has been investigating the embassy security contract held by ArmorGroup North America (a subsidiary of Wackenhut, which is in turn owned by the security behemoth G4S). The contractor was the subject of a congressional probe earlier this summer that found serious lapses in the company's handling of the embassy security contract, which internal State Department documents said left the embassy compound "in jeopardy." Nevertheless, the government opted to extend the company's 5-year, $189 million contract for another year.

Xe what I mean? I think oversight needs a little oversight.

These allegations raise serious questions about why ArmorGroup has been allowed to retain this important contract, which gives the company the responsibility for protecting the lives of the hundreds of diplomats, officials, and others who work within the embassy compound. Also in question is the State Department's ability to provide adequate oversight of contractors under its jurisdiction.

I am refraining from any wisecracks about butt cracks. But I will not refrain from reiterating the seriousness of this insanity. I kid because I'm appalled. This is horrendous, and that these contracts continue to be extended is beyond belief.

I have a feeling that tonight, Keith Olbermann will not be refraining at all.

H/t: David Shuster

Obama okays team to interrogate terrorists

By GottaLaff

Thank you, President Obama:

President Barack Obama has approved the establishment of a special unit of terrorist interrogators based out of the FBI, U.S. officials said Monday, confirming a report in the Washington Post.

The interagency High Value Detainee Interrogation Group will be overseen by the National Security Council and “draw on interrogators from defense, intelligence, and law enforcement,” a senior administration official said.

The State Department will also play a more prominent role in overseeing renditions of suspected terrorists to other countries for interrogation, the official added. The department will help ensure that suspected terrorists are not abused or tortured.

The decision to place the FBI in charge of the interrogation of suspected terrorists — as opposed to the Central Intelligence Agency — represents a major shift in U.S. national security policy. [...]

“The CIA didn’t want to house this initiative. They’re glad to be out of the long-term detention business,” a U.S. government official said.

More, via NPR:

The administration has also decided that all U.S. interrogators will follow the rules for detainees laid out by the Army Field Manual, according to senior administration officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the decision. That decision aims to end years of fierce debate over how rough U.S. personnel can get with terror suspects in custody.

The new unit does not mean the CIA is now out of the interrogation business, deputy White House press secretary Bill Burton told reporters covering the vacationing Obama at Oak Bluffs, Mass.

Lots of news breaking today. On to the next story....

UPDATE: Listening to Thom Hartmann Show right now, and this touting of the Army Field Manual as the golden standard should still be troubling to us. It would apparently still allow torture and mistreatment, Appendix M specifically, per Marjorie Cohn (MarjorieCohn.com).

Obama: U.S. not giving Israel green light to attack Iran

By GottaLaff

Just in case there was any question:

The United States is "absolutely not" giving Israel a green light to attack Iran, U.S. President Barack Obama told CNN Tuesday.

"We have said directly to the Israelis that it is important to try and resolve this in an international setting in a way that does not create major conflict in the Middle East," Obama said, referring to Iran's nuclear ambitions.

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden on Sunday appeared to leave the door open for Israel to attack Iran if it saw fit.

"Israel can determine for itself — it's a sovereign nation — what's in their interest and what they decide to do relative to Iran and anyone else," Biden said on ABC's "This Week."

Obama said Tuesday that Biden had simply been stating a fact, not sending a signal.

"I think Vice President Biden stated a categorical fact, which is we can't dictate to other countries what their security interests are. What is also true is that it is the policy of the United States to resolve the issue of Iran's nuclear capabilities in a peaceful way through diplomatic channels," he said.

The top U.S. military leader, Adm. Mike Mullen, said later on Tuesday that he understands Israel's position. [...]

His counterparts in the Gulf also understand the Israeli stance, whether or not they agree, Mullen said. [...]

He said he hoped diplomacy would resolve the issue.

"I am hopeful that that dialogue is productive. I worry about it a great deal if its not," Mullen said.

The State Department took a similar line on Monday.

"Our goal here is to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. When I say 'our' it is just not the United States — it is the international community," spokesman Ian Kelly said. "Israel is a sovereign country. We are not going to dictate its actions. We also are committed to Israel's security and we share Israel's deep concerns about Iran's nuclear program."

Asked if this could be interpreted as the United States flashing a green light for Israel to attack Iran's nuclear sites, Kelly said, "I certainly would not want to give a green light to any kind of military action."

Harold Koh confirmed to State Department legal post

By GottaLaff

Took long enough:

After months of GOP stalling tactics and conservative fearmongering, Yale Law School Dean Harold Koh was confirmed by the Senate today to be the State Department’s top legal adviser. He passed by a vote of 62-35, with five Republicans voting to confirm — Sens. Olympia Snowe (ME), Susan Collins (ME), Richard Lugar (IN), Mel Martinez (FL), and George Voinovich (OH).

Hillary Clinton Eyes Gay Rights at State Dept.

By GottaLaff

Go Hillary!

Gay and lesbian diplomats and Foreign Service officers are anxiously awaiting sweeping policy reforms that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is reviewing. The two goals: making it easier for same-sex couples to travel to new posts with full bennies and letting a foreign partner met abroad come to the United States as a husband or wife would after a traditional overseas marriage.

Now about that marriage equality thing...

D.C. couple accused of spying for Cuba

By GottaLaff

Eeks:

Federal officials say a Washington, D.C.-area couple has been arrested and accused of spying for Cuba.

Officials say both are former U.S. government employees -- he from the State Department, she as a Congressional aide.

One official says the spying went on for more than two decades.

We expect to learn more details later today when a federal indictment is unsealed. For now, officials will not disclose the names or any other details.

More than 20 years? That's a whole lot of infiltrating.

Anonymous Senate hold put on Harold Koh; Anonymous as in Cornyn and Vitter?

By GottaLaff

The Party of No, the Party of Blockage, the Party of Obstruction, the Party of Losers, the Party of Fear of a Yale Law School Dean... is at it again:

[A]n anonymous senator has placed a hold on Koh’s nomination, a source told Talking Points Memo:

Koh, who if confirmed will serve as legal adviser to the State Department, was reported out of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee about three weeks ago, but has languished ever since — a fact which, I’d imagine, makes him thrilled that he resigned as Dean of Yale’s Law School in order to serve in government.

Recall that before the committee vote, Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC) also placed a hold on Koh’s nomination. That delay only lasted a week.

The Facebook group “We Support Harold Hongju Koh” and Jay Michaelson at the Huffington Post both write that the hold has been placed by Sens. John Cornyn (R-TX) and David Vitter (R-LA). ThinkProgress called both Cornyn’s and Vitter’s offices, but was unable to confirm that they are responsible for the hold.

Former Bush official on torture memos: "The legal reasoning seemed deeply unsound to me"

By GottaLaff

Phil Zelikow is on the Rachel Maddow Show right now. He was a BushCo State Department counselor, and a 9/11 Commission Executive Director. Zelikow raised concerns about the torture memos in May 2005. He authored his own memo rejecting the torture memos:

"The legal reasoning seemed deeply unsound to me... "

"I was absolutely astonished" by the torture memos."

Opinions were requested because there were questions about the legality of the activities in question (paraphrased).

"I'm just one point of view."

"They were using an interpretation of how to comply with that standards that I didn't think any lawyers outside the administration would find plausible."

"Others were entitled to hear an alternative p.o.v. and figure out if they wanted to reevaluate their opinion."

"I was told [they] were trying to collect these (alternative memos) and destroy them."

"Obviously you eliminate records because you don't want people to find them."

"Lawyers disagree all the time... Now it's up to our institutions to sort out if ... there was something more than that."

Rachel: Doesn't resonate: When you found out that they were collecting your critical memo and destroying it so there would be no evidence of it, it's hard to believe you weren't thinking about resigning.

"It was my job to fight this with every ounce of energy at my disposal... And that was their job. They didn't succeed in destroying all the copies... [We had differing legal views] They heard that argument, they chose to move on... We eventually changed the policy."

He agrees that the D.O.J. should sort this out, so he wouldn't give an opinion about prosecutions. He echoed President Obama, and wouldn't "pre-judge or politicize the issue". He reiterates that there were two points of view, and we should let our institutions do their job.