c.inquisition
Rookie
"Defense Department Files Secret Arguments in Further Attempt to Suppress Abu Ghraib Photos
July 29, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: [email protected]
NEW YORK -- The Defense Department has filed heavily redacted papers in a further attempt to suppress photographs and videos that depict the abuse of prisoners held at Abu Ghraib, the American Civil Liberties Union said today. The move is the government's latest effort to block the release of materials requested by the ACLU under the Freedom of Information Act.
"The government's recent actions make a mockery of the Freedom of Information Act," said Anthony D. Romero, ACLU Executive Director. "The Defense Department has long dragged its heels on coming clean about the systematic and widespread abuse of detainees, but denying the public the right to even hear its legal arguments for withholding information is a new low."
Last week, on the deadline of a court order requiring the Defense Department to process and redact 87 photographs and four videos taken at Abu Ghraib, government attorneys filed a last-minute memorandum of law and three affidavits arguing against the release of the materials. The government's papers cite a statutory provision that permits the withholding of records "compiled for law enforcement purposes," that "could reasonably be expected to endanger the life or physical safety of any individual."
However, the government has redacted significant portions of its public brief, including the conclusion. The government also heavily redacted portions of declarations submitted in support of the brief. One of the declarations is that of General Richard Meyers, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. ACLU attorneys have been provided with less-redacted court papers pursuant to a protective order that prevents them from disclosing the papers' contents to the public."
Read the full release (don't eat first) - http://www.aclu.org/SafeandFree/SafeandFree.cfm?ID=18842&c=280
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Pity these people can't identify the enemy. Or, maybe they have. Does anyone really believe that the ACLU is interested in what is best for America. They can't seem to figure out who is dangerous. And if they ever do figure it out, it is a good thing to know that they'll be able to vigorously sue Al Queda. Sheesh.
July 29, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: [email protected]
NEW YORK -- The Defense Department has filed heavily redacted papers in a further attempt to suppress photographs and videos that depict the abuse of prisoners held at Abu Ghraib, the American Civil Liberties Union said today. The move is the government's latest effort to block the release of materials requested by the ACLU under the Freedom of Information Act.
"The government's recent actions make a mockery of the Freedom of Information Act," said Anthony D. Romero, ACLU Executive Director. "The Defense Department has long dragged its heels on coming clean about the systematic and widespread abuse of detainees, but denying the public the right to even hear its legal arguments for withholding information is a new low."
Last week, on the deadline of a court order requiring the Defense Department to process and redact 87 photographs and four videos taken at Abu Ghraib, government attorneys filed a last-minute memorandum of law and three affidavits arguing against the release of the materials. The government's papers cite a statutory provision that permits the withholding of records "compiled for law enforcement purposes," that "could reasonably be expected to endanger the life or physical safety of any individual."
However, the government has redacted significant portions of its public brief, including the conclusion. The government also heavily redacted portions of declarations submitted in support of the brief. One of the declarations is that of General Richard Meyers, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. ACLU attorneys have been provided with less-redacted court papers pursuant to a protective order that prevents them from disclosing the papers' contents to the public."
Read the full release (don't eat first) - http://www.aclu.org/SafeandFree/SafeandFree.cfm?ID=18842&c=280
________________________________________________________________
Pity these people can't identify the enemy. Or, maybe they have. Does anyone really believe that the ACLU is interested in what is best for America. They can't seem to figure out who is dangerous. And if they ever do figure it out, it is a good thing to know that they'll be able to vigorously sue Al Queda. Sheesh.
