Not Pearl Harbor, but a day of infamy nonetheless

CIA career employee Gina Haspel was confirmed as CIA Director May 17 by a Senate vote of 54-45. Haspel's nomination was big news up till her confirmation because she participated in the US torture program of suspected bad guys in the hysteria known as the War On Terror following 911. She compounded her despicable conduct by drafting the memo ordering destruction of the tapes documenting US torture. Haspel didn't get prosecuted for her crimes. She didn't get fired. She didn't get shunned by a country claiming moral superiority in matters of humane conduct. Instead she was promoted to head the agency that conducted the torture in which she was personally involved.

Haspel's confirmation vote was bi-partisan; 6 Democrats joined 48 Republicans to celebrate rather than censure her. Within 24 hours Gina Haspel and her torturous path to CIA Director disappeared from the 24/7 news cycle. Next May 17 her name and her foul deeds likely will not be mentioned by a mainstream media which enables both perpetual war and its illegitimate child torture.

But to me, May 17 will remain ...a day of infamy.