Abu Ghraib photos and video refused. So DOD files a letter saying

[cyberpj]

they will give reasons in a private memo and 3 declarations to be filed with New York's district court - as to why they can't release the photos and video to ACLU.....

WHEN? Another slimy move at the last minute and they don't even pretend to say when this will be done.

And then Bush goes on vacation and congress recesses for a month!

So we all just sit around and wait for them to decide to do this next step which only they deem is necessary?

What's up with that? Why doesn't the court get to state a DATE?


In a letter filed at the eleventh hour, the Department of Defense claims that photographs and videos of abuse that the court had previously ordered redacted for future release "could result in harm to individuals" for reasons that will be set forth in a memorandum and three declarations that the government will file under seal with the U.S. District Court of the Southern District of New York.

http://www.aclu.org/SafeandFree/SafeandFree.cfm?ID=18811&c=206

[peacetalksforall]

1. harm to people = pnacers and generals or presidents and vps?

[BOSSHOG]

2. Its quite pitiful

when bush has to order organizations as large as the DOD not to do something to keep his approval ratings from falling below 40%. He must lead a sad, pitiful existence. But, it is all of his own making, even if he doesn't think so.

[cyberpj]

7. I'm sure Rummy ordered this - while telling Junior it would work. nt.

[Vincardog]

3. The executive Branch and the DOD no longer believe in the Rule of LAW

If they refuse to play by the rules why should we?

[HereSince1628]

4. Harm to Individuals? Yes, lots of harm to the Administration

Imagine how many people could be harmed in an International War Crimes Trial held with them in abstentia.

Of course, Rummy is going to claim that this will incite violence around the world and than untold numbers of people will die in terrorist attacks if the pictures make it to the public.

[uppityperson]

8. They will inflame passions

Terrorist attacks will happen IF the administration shoves these under the rug and refuses to accept responsibiity. Of course people are going to get pissed and want to hurt the administration. Of course they will take it out on "innocent" people. The way to avoid this is to take responsibility for the atrocities and arrest everyone involved for warcrimes. As if. So, technically, Rummy would be right. But it will happen if they do not release them anyway. Which is why they need to be out there.

[asjr]

5. As long as we, the taxpayers, pay their

salaries they are beholden to us. The WH seems to have conveniently chosen to ignore that fact.

[cyberpj]

6. Here are some NAMES from a previous article re the JUDGE and US ATTY

Don't forget.. they've already stiffed this judge once. Should we be starting a letter writing campaign?


Pentagon to release new abuse photos
The Abu Ghraib images will mask victims' identities
Eric Rosenberg, Hearst Newspapers
Sunday, June 19, 2005

In issuing his order, U.S. District Court Judge Alvin Hellerstein of New York City gave the government until June 30 to get the photos ready by removing information in the pictures that might identify the victims.

David Kelley, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, has asked Hellerstein for an extension -- until July 22 -- to get all the images, both video and pictures, ready for release.

The Bush administration is likely to pay a public relations penalty for failing to release all of the Abu Ghraib images sooner.

"There would have been short-term discomfort and pain but then it would have been over with," Nikolas Gvosdev, a senior fellow in strategic studies at The Nixon Center here and an analyst of the Abu Ghraib abuse scandal. "These pictures may all be of the same event but they might convey the impression that the abuse is ongoing."

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2005/06/19/MNG0NDB1GU1.DTL&feed=rss.news