Sen. Feinstein's Definition of Transparency

Se. Feinstein (D-CA) has further (un)distinguished herself with the NY Times revelation that the CIA destroyed in 2005 "at least two videotapes documenting the interrogation of two Qaeda operatives in the agency’s custody." The Times adds, "the tapes were destroyed in part because officers were concerned that video showing harsh interrogation methods could expose agency officials to legal risks, several officials said."
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As a member of both the Senate Intelligence and Judiciary Committees, Feinstein must have known about the tapes (along with fellow Intelligence Committee member Sen. Rockefeller who said, "we were provided with very limited information about the existence of the tapes"), yet not a word about them was uttered--or any other substantial, tough questioning with sufficient followup during Michael Mukasey's confirmation hearing.
On this issue, silence.
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Mukasey said (during the hearing) regarding torture:
"I was asked at the hearing and in your letter questions about the hypothetical use of certain coercive interrogation techniques. As described in your letter, these techniques seem over the line or, on a personal basis, repugnant to me, and would probably seem the same to many Americans. But hypotheticals are different from real life, and in any legal opinion the actual facts and circumstances are critical."
Hypotheticals. The CIA tapes contain no hypotheticals. The show interrogation/torture (why else destroy them?).
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So what to make of her remarkable statement in support of Mukasey's nomination, that voting against him would allow "the Administration to avoid the transparency that confirmation hearings provide and diminish effective oversight by Congress"?

Transparency and oversight. Hallmarks both of Feinstein's career.