The CIA torture tape destruction hearing is being held by the House Intelligence Committee.  These hearings are supposedly the House version of an investigation into the illegal destruction of evidence of a crime, torture, by CIA operatives which occurred in 2002.  The CIA even lied to the 9-11 Commission about the tapes, which were relevant to the commission's investigation, that might be considered not just perjury but obstruction of justice.

So, how is the House going about this important inquiry?  By apparently limiting the scope of their hearings to a questionable "rogue employee" in the destruction of the tapes. 

According to Jonathan Turley, legal commentator, expert on constitutional and statutory issues,  and eminent law professor at George Washington University,

"Democrats and Republicans offered a rogue employee theory to explain the destruction — and in the process, relieve themselves and the Administration of serious blame.

"The decision to give these investigations to the House and Senate Intel Committees was a curious move if the intention was a real investigation. After all, it was the ranking members of both parties on these committees who were informed of both the torture program and the plan to destroy the tapes but did nothing to disclose such illegality. So now we have a rather odd situation. The Justice Department has refused to appoint an independent prosecutor and will now effectively investigate itself (and as it is arguing in court that the CIA had a perfect right to destroy the tapes, see here). On the congressional side, the very two committees accused for failing to act will now investigate their own roles as well as the actions of the executive branch.

"Even with some stiff competition in the last few years, this may be the most impressive spin of a scandal in history.

"We now know that White House officials and Justice Department officials were aware of this plan to destroy evidence. According to sources, at least four top White House lawyers discussed the issue between 2003 and 2005.

"The disclosure puts the scandal literally next door to the President and, on the crime of torturing suspects, leads directly to his desk. Yet, the Justice Department insists that it can see no conflict in investigating its own chief executive and staff."

This is certainly Alice in Wonderland with Congress and the Department of Justice playing leading roles, not in finding the truth, but in covering it up with a nominal investigation.

Where are the Sam Ervin's and the Barbara Jordan's in the Senate and House with their integrity, strength, and absolute belief in and defense of the Constitution, willing to confront the high crimes and misdemeanors of the president?

And impeachment is still off the table.