As related earlier by Moe Lane, the Obama DOJ has exonerated Yoo and Bybee. And just like clock work, enter Sen Patrick Leahy (D-VT)

Leahy condemned the report’s findings Monday.

“The deeply flawed legal opinions proffered by these former [Office of Legal Counsel] officials created a ‘golden shield’ that sought to protect from scrutiny and prosecution the Bush administration’s torture of detainees in U.S. custody,” Leahy said in a statement. “In drafting and signing these unsound legal analyses, OLC attorneys sanctioned torture, contrary to our domestic anti-torture laws, our international treaty obligations and the fundamental values of this country.”

If senators had known about Bybee’s role in creating these polices before his confirmation to the lifetime appoint to the federal bench, he would never have been confirmed, Leahy asserted.

“The right thing to do would be for him to resign from this lifetime appointment,” he added

It must be awful living in a world where everyone is conspiring against you … even the Obama DOJ.

Sen. Leahy should reconsider his desire to focus on this non-issue while the people of Vermont struggle with a depressed economy.

Or not.

Another option is for Sen. Leahy to continue down this path of irrelevance, thus opening the door to his Republican challenger Len Britton. Len Britton is a local small business owner who has stepped up to the challenge of 2010. He intends to be a true citizen legislator who has no intentions of staying in D.C. any longer than absolutely needed.

When I asked the Britton campaign for a response to Sen Leahy’s intentions this was the reply:

The world changed after the events of September 11, 2001 and we were in
certain uncharted waters. I agree with the findings of President Obama’s
Department of Justice – this matter should be concluded now. Washington
insiders should stop playing politics and start focusing on the issues that
matter most to Americans – out of control spending, fixing the economy and
most importantly putting Americans back to work

That is an appealing contrast, no?

Aaron B. Gardner

P.S. While Len and I disagree on some social issues he is far and away better than Leahy on those same issues and unquestionably a fiscal conservative. Len also has my personal endorsement for the VT Senate seat in 2010.