Someone please explain to me...

[SteamWake]

What exactly is this supposed to accomplish?

Call me skeptical but anything involving the ACLU should have close scrutiny.

In a letter from the Justice Department to a federal judge yesterday, the Obama administration announced that the Pentagon would turn over to the American Civil Liberties Union 44 photographs showing detainee abuse of prisoners in Afghanistan and Iraq during the Bush administration.

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpu...adminis-3.html

[Schroeder]

To make sure it doesn't happen again?

[Platapus]

Because the ACLU followed the law and submitted a FOIA request?

[SteamWake]

Originally Posted by Schroeder

To make sure it doesn't happen again?

I thought that was the reason for the interigations in the first place.

[Platapus]

The last administration may not have been everyone's favourite but it was always good for a laugh

The Bush administration argued that releasing these photographs would violate US obligations towards detainees...

So it was OK to torture them, but we need to follow our obligations toward them. How about our obligations not to torture them?

The United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, Ratified 21 Oct 94

Article 2 Paragraph 2
"No exceptional circumstances whatsoever, whether a state of war or a threat of war, internal political in stability or any other public emergency, may be invoked as a justification of torture."

The Bush administration had also argued that releasing the photographs would violated the Geneva Conventions, which protect prisoners of war and detained civilians “against insults and public curiosity."

Excuse me, Mr. President. But the Geneva Conventions also protect these people from TORTURE! So Torture is OK, but suddenly we are concerned with protecting them from insults and public curiosity?

Make up your mind Mr. President. Is they or aint they covered by the Geneva Conventions

You can't just pick and choose what to follow based on what is more convenient.

hy·poc·ri·sy: The practice of professing beliefs, feelings, or virtues that one does not hold or possess; falseness.

I would seriously be laughing, if it were not so pathetic.

[AVGWarhawk]

Does the ACLU have any jurisdiction in this matter?

[Platapus]

The ACLU has the right to submit a FOIA, just like any of us.

[AVGWarhawk]

Originally Posted by Platapus

The ACLU has the right to submit a FOIA, just like any of us.

Does it mean then it will be granted?

[Platapus]

Originally Posted by AVGWarhawk

Does it mean then it will be granted?

That is up to the evaluation. There has to be a reason to refuse a FOIA. Just because someone may not like the ACLU is not sufficient reason.

The government takes the FOIA pretty seriously and we should all be thankful they do.

[SteamWake]

I dont know if FOIA covers classified documents.

Of course the president can un-classify anything he wants.

[AVGWarhawk]

Originally Posted by Platapus

That is up to the evaluation. There has to be a reason to refuse a FOIA. Just because someone may not like the ACLU is not sufficient reason.

The government takes the FOIA pretty seriously and we should all be thankful they do.

Interesting, first I have heard of this. Thx Platapus!

[Platapus]

Originally Posted by AVGWarhawk

Interesting, first I have heard of this. Thx Platapus!

Here to help

http://www.usdoj.gov/oip/foia_update...II_4/page2.htm

Be aware that each federal agency has its own FOIA procedures.

And no FOIA does not pertain to classified information. There is a separate procedure to request the declassification of classified information.

[AVGWarhawk]

Originally Posted by Platapus

Here to help

http://www.usdoj.gov/oip/foia_update...II_4/page2.htm

Be aware that each federal agency has its own FOIA procedures.

And no FOIA does not pertain to classified information. There is a separate procedure to request the declassification of classified information.

Ah, yes, Freedom of Info Act. I do not see the ACLU getting anything under this act.

[SteamWake]

Originally Posted by AVGWarhawk

Ah, yes, Freedom of Info Act. I do not see the ACLU getting anything under this act.

I do.

[AVGWarhawk]

Originally Posted by SteamWake

I do.

Problem is this, yesterday it was found that Pelosi and co are thick as thieves and were briefed on this in 2002. Of course she denies this. I'm thinking some more wrong buttons will be pushed and this will be brushed under the carpet. All of it.