RawStory: ACLU argues for release of new Abu Ghraib photos

[sabra]

http://rawstory.com/news/2005/ACLU_argues_for_release_of_new_Abu_Ghraib_ph_0830.html

ACLU argues for release of new Abu Ghraib photos
RAW STORY


The American Civil Liberties Union and the New York Civil Liberties Union will again appear before a federal judge Tuesday, August 30, to seek the release of Defense Department photographs and videotapes depicting the abuse of prisoners held by the United States at Abu Ghraib, RAW STORY has learned....

#
RUSH RELEASE... MORE DETAILS SOON.... / FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE /August 30, 2005

The ACLU today also released previously redacted government documents, including declarations by General Richard Myers, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Ronald Schlicher, former Deputy Assistant Secretary and Coordinator for Iraq in the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs of the Department of State, in which they argue that the photographs and videos should not be made public. General Myers also argues that "the democratic idea of public accountability... is misunderstood in other parts of the world."

"Accountability isn't 'misunderstood' by the world, it's misunderstood by the Bush administration and it hasn't happened. That's why the American public has a right to see these images for itself," said Anthony D. Romero, Executive Director of the ACLU. "Instead of hiding evidence of the military's misconduct and failure of leadership from the public, the government should appoint an independent counsel to uncover the full truth about the extent of the abuse and who is responsible."

The hearing, which will be open to the public, will address the government's legal arguments to prevent the public release of images depicting abuse. (Note: the hearing time has been changed to 3 p.m. Eastern. Further details are below.)

....

WHEN: The hearing will be held Tuesday August 30 at 3:00 p.m.

WHERE: U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, 500 Pearl Street, Courtroom 14D

[bananas]

1. More info on "Project Copper Green"

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4504791

[mike_c]

2. pig logic....

So "the democratic idea of public accountability... is misunderstood in other parts of the world" means that we shouldn't have it here? We really need an exploding head smilie!

[slay]

3. We have the right to know the truth. We have the right to know what's bein

g done to people of other countries in our names. Here's hoping they get them released.

[acmavm]

4. There ain't no way these clowns are ever going to release these

photos. They have too much to lose.

Does anyone seriously think that it will make the Iraqi's any more angry than they already are? Oh please, they already know what's going on, what went on. We, the land of the occupiers, are the only ones who will face what has been done in the name of 'freedom'. And WE are who they are hiding the pictures from. Because they don't give a fat rat's ass with the Iraqi people think. But they sure don't want Ma and Pa Kettle down on the farm in Podunk, Nebraska to see what's going on.

[paineinthearse]

5. This is a continuation of Larisa's HuffPo's piece from the wee hours

In DU at http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=4504791&mesg_id=4504791

"Larisa Alexandrovna: We just might learn some truth today"

Related, she's working her tail off, please read and comment on the HuffPo post (it has just 2 reader comments).

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/larisa-alexandrovna/we-just-might-learn-some-_b_6405.html

[jsamuel]

6. waiting impatiently

[matcom]

7. they will do it today

where it will receive ZERO COVERAGE

[SlipperySlope]

8. Please help me understand...

I agree with releasing the photos, from the general point that no information the government has should be kept secret from the citizens.

However; for the actual pictures in question, here is what I don't understand. What benefit will be obtained through the release of these pictures that cannot be obtained with the pictures that already exist?

Inquiring minds and all that...

[xynthee]

10. We've only seen the fraternity prank photos/videos

The new photos/videos are truly, truly horrible, e.g., they supposedly show rape and forcible sodomy of men, women and children. The old photos/videos really WILL seem like fraternity pranks after seeing the new ones.

It's time for Amurkins to see for themselves what war is all about!! I'm sick of people thinking we can have a nice, clean war where no innocent people suffer.

[riderinthestorm]

11. The pictures show much more serious offenses

Such as children being raped.

Clearly there is a fairly large and persistent percentage of people who continue to believe that this Admin can do no wrong, that Bush and Co. are on the "right track" in fighting the "war on terror", that the US is "helping" the Iraqi people....

These pictures show all of the above for the lies that they are.

If children being raped can't penetrate the psyche of the hardcore Bush supporters, then what will?

I see these pictures as another tool in ongoing efforts to pry Bush's sweaty grip from the minds of the sheeple, to perhaps enable folks to see the folly of this war and this Admin's deeply flawed policies.

And it doesn't hurt to continue to hammer home the message that torture is always wrong.

It also allows us to continue to bring up the fact that Bush elevated one of the architects of our torture policy to AG status.

Besides, those Camp Gitmo tee-shirts must end. Perhaps this will be another side benefit - their disappearance.

[Old Mouse]

15. we might be able to identify

more people and rank with more pictures, which could prove greater involvement of higher command, or of a organized doctrine or an official policy - proof of actual war crimes by Rumsfield et al.

[SlipperySlope]

18. good point - n/t

[Brundle_Fly]

9. With NO MSM Coverage....

This is a non story.

You'd think that the american people might be interested there is yet another scandal the White house is trying to hide/lie/sweep under the carpet from them.

Scandal counter ::526::

[Judi Lynn]

12. They shouldn't be given a pass on these crimes against humanity.

This mob of "law and order" maggots should NOT be given the authority to commit atrocities. NEVER.

Here's hoping they'll be held accountable. It sets a bad example, after all, for "the children" if they aren't going to be confronted over this. You know how much they care about the "rule of law."

[brettdale]

13. kick

kick

[evermind]

14. No ruling today, according to new Raw Story article

http://rawstory.com/news/2005/NowWaiting_Game_The_court_reserved_it_0830.html

Waiting game: No ruling on release of Abu Ghraib pics

Larisa Alexandrovna

The judge presiding over the Freedom of Information Act case on detainee abuse documents, including new videos and photos from Iraq's Abu Ghraib prison, did not make a ruling today, RAW STORY has learned.

The hearing this afternoon at 3PM EST discussed the substantive part of the case after months of Defense and State Department stalling, including an unprecedented use of the FOIA statutes.

<snip>

RAW STORY has acquired the opening statement of the ACLU's Amrit Singh, who argued the case on behalf of the coalition of various groups filing the FOIA request. These groups include Veterans for Peace, Human Rights First, and fourteen major U.S. news organizations.

A source close to the hearings stated that the government's case was presented unchanged, concentrating on: "the meaning of accountability abroad, as well as the reactions the release of the documents might incite."

(...continues with some testimony from Amrit Singh ...)

-------------


Raw Story are doing a great job in covering this. Google news isn't finding anything from MSM on what should be a major story..

[stepnw1f]

17. Thank You for the Update

I heard Larissa today on Tony Trupiano's show. She's a bit pessimistic, but there is a chance.

[Fire Walk With Me]

16. The politics of evasion.

Has there ever been a more evasive administration, across so many different issues?

[UnityDem]

19. delete

nt