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Paul Krugman: Before I do some economics posts, I think I ought to say something about the torture memos — namely, that there is now no way to view the…

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The nation’s paper of record reviews the latest batch of torture papers and reaches the fairly obvious conclusion that a thorough investigation of this disgraceful episode should start with the…

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Much of the discussion of the newly released torture memos has focused, appropriately enough, on their content. But the circumstances in which they were prepared and the process that led…

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Why did Jane Harman, the congresswoman from Venice, California, so well known for her devotion to intelligence, and particularly counterterrorism matters, who was poised to assume the chair of the…

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En Viena hay diez muchachas, un hombro donde solloza la muerte y un bosque de palomas disecadas. Hay un fragmento de la mañana en el museo de la escarcha. Hay…

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On Thursday the spirit of George Orwell visited America, three times. The first visit can be found in four memoranda prepared by Bush Administration lawyers which gave the actual go-ahead…

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A number of readers have written to ask why I have no post up discussing the new OLC memos. Be assured it’s in the works—check back later. Being on the…

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Tomorrow (Thursday, April 16) the 2009 Ridenhour Book Prize will be awarded to Jane Mayer for her definitive account of the Bush Administration’s descent into torture. The award ceremony is…

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Evan Perez and Siobhan Gorman at the Wall Street Journal: The Obama administration is leaning toward keeping secret some graphic details of tactics allowed in Central Intelligence Agency interrogations, despite…

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Spanish prosecutors decide to seek indictments against Alberto Gonzales, John Yoo, David Addington, Jay Bybee, William J. Haynes II and Douglas J. Feith on charges that they conspired to introduce…

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The Republican Party finds itself as thoroughly out of power as at any point in modern times. It has a new role: that of the opposition party. But the G.O.P.…

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Charlie Brooker (of BBC Four’s Newswipe program) takes a look at the role of the news anchor/commentator on both sides of the Atlantic. Brilliant all around, and the take on…

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On February 14, 2007, the International Committee of the Red Cross delivered a confidential report to John Rizzo, then as now the acting general counsel of the Central Intelligence Agency.…

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Lord, who createdst man in wealth and store, Though foolishly he lost the same, Decaying more and more, Till he became Most poore: With thee Oh let me rise As…

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Wyatt Mason’s weekend reads are part of the rhythm of my life, but this week’s offering is a particular delight. Start with his post from Friday, Frederick Seidel, “A Poet…

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Effets de la gourmandise sur la sociabilité. La gourmandise est un des principaux liens de la société; c’est elle qui étend graduellement cet esprit de convivialité qui reunite chaque jour…

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Listen to sonata No. 10, “The Crucifixion,” by the Bohemian composer Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber, taken from the Rosary Sonatas (1676)…

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It’s funny how those who criticize sweeping exercises of presidential power suddenly take a different stance once they become president. Take Barack Obama. As a senator and constitutional law professor,…

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Yesterday CIA Director Leon Panetta emailed thousands of subordinates his hearty greetings for Passover and Easter. Appropriate to the season, perhaps, his message was filled with talk of torture, foreign…

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Selections from Johann Sebastian Bach’s St Matthew Passion (1727) BWV 244 performed by the Münchener Bach-Orchester and the Münchener Bach-Chor, Karl Richter, conducting, Julia Hamari, solo soprano. No. 1: Opening…

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In its submission to a San Francisco district court, the Obama Justice Department states that any disclosures concerning the relationship between AT&T and the National Security Agency would “cause exceptional…

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Attorney General Holder has responded to widespread public and judicial criticism of the lapsed ethics standards of the Justice Department by appointing a new head of the Office of Professional…

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Listen to a performance of the Lamentations of Jeremiah, composed in 1565 by Thomas Tallis, from a 1995 recording by the King’s Singers. The work was composed to be performed…

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One of the mysteries of the Obama Administration so far is why it is so protective of the crimes and secrets of the Bush era. Coming to office on pledges…

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The president ran a vigorous counter-terrorism program. With super-secret clearances, he caused terrorists and their helpers to be “disappeared” and tortured for intelligence value. Several of them died in the…

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Late on Friday, the Obama Justice Department filed an astonishing document with a San Francisco court. Seeking the dismissal of Jewel v. National Security Agency, a suit brought by persons…

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The Associated Press reports on the tongue-lashing administered by Judge Sullivan to the Justice Department prosecutors in his court this morning as he dismissed the case against former Alaska Senator…

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