Pelosi, others driven by political survival

Michael K. Casler, Las Vegas

Sunday, May 17, 2009 | 2:05 a.m.

Nobody except the participants know what was said in the CIA interrogation briefings that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and others attended. Unfortunately, you cannot believe what the participants tell you because of their self-interest. My belief is that the truth is where it was when President George W. Bush asked Congress for the power to go to war in Iraq if necessary.

Many members of Congress had grave reservations (expressed after the fact) about giving President Bush this power. They gave it to him because they lacked the courage of their convictions and were afraid that if they voted no and another 9/11 took place, they would be blamed.

It is highly likely the same scenario unfolded for Ms. Pelosi and others in the interrogation briefings. Just as it was understood that President Bush could use the power granted to invade Iraq, not standing up and fighting the approval of “enhanced interrogation” techniques could lead to their use on captured suspected terrorists.

The problem was the same. If you voted your convictions and these techniques were not allowed and another 9/11 happened, you would be blamed. The result was silence and tacit approval by Ms. Pelosi and others.

The real problem here is not just with Ms. Pelosi but the majority of Congress. They do not have the courage of their convictions and their first priority is to remain in office.

We really need to elect some people whose first priority is to do what they believe is right, regardless of possible consequences. We have precious few of those people in office today.