Destruction of videotapes Enhanced interrogation techniques

in december 2007 became known cia had destroyed many videotapes recording interrogation of prisoners. disclosures in 2010 revealed jose rodriguez jr., head of directorate of operations @ cia 2004 2007, ordered tapes destroyed because thought devastating cia , , heat destroying nothing compared if tapes ever got public domain. new york times reported according insiders, inquiry c.i.a. s secret detention program analyzed these techniques, might end criminal charges abusive interrogations. in op-ed new york times, thomas h. kean , lee h. hamilton, chair , vice chair of 9/11 commission, stated:

as legal matter, not examine c.i.a. s failure disclose existence of these tapes. others. know government officials decided not inform lawfully constituted body, created congress , president, investigate 1 (of) greatest tragedies confront country. call obstruction.

responding so-called torture memoranda scott horton noted:

the possibility authors of these memoranda counseled use of lethal , unlawful techniques, , therefore face criminal culpability themselves. that, after all, teaching of united states v. altstötter, nuremberg case brought against german justice department lawyers memoranda crafted basis implementation of infamous night , fog decree.

jordan paust concurred responding mukasey s refusal investigate and/or prosecute relied on these legal opinions

it legally , morally impossible member of executive branch acting lawfully or within scope of or authority while following olc opinions manifestly inconsistent or violative of law. general mukasey, following orders no defense!