It looks as though the War on Terror™ is going to outlive us all. Bu$hCo doesn't want to admit it's data mining? Tell the FCC not to investigate. Bu$hCo doesn't like a law? Just tack on a signing statement and bypass the courts altogether. Bu$hCo doesn't like a lawsuit? Invoke the "state secrets privilege":
Last Thursday, a federal court in Virginia threw out a lawsuit against the government that had been brought by a German citizen named Khalid el-Masri. El-Masri alleged that the government had violated U.S. law when—as part if its "extraordinary rendition" program—it authorized his abduction, drugging, confinement, and torture. His captors allegedly shuttled him on clandestine flights to and from places like Kabul, Baghdad, and Skopje, Macedonia, during the five months of his detention. He was released only when the government realized it had kidnapped the wrong man. El-Masri has substantial evidence to back up his story, and German prosecutors have verified much of it. And, while the government has not confirmed that it took el-Masri as part of its extraordinary rendition program, it has not shied away from admitting the program exists; it has in fact trumpeted it as an effective tool in the "war on terror." So why then was el-Masri's lawsuit thrown out? Because the judge accepted the government's claim that any alleged activities relating to el-Masri were "state secrets."
Doesn't that give you a warm feeling all over?
read more: bush u.s. germany impeach bush el-masri iraq state secrets privilege secret prisons extraordinary rendition
I *do* have a warm feeling all over.
Has Mr. Gonzalez dropped the mirepois in our hot tub?
Posted by: Tata | May 23, 2006 at 10:58 AM
What? What? They, uhhhhhhh, gave Masri an all-expenses paid...uhhhhhh...tour through Europe! What's wrong with that, you commiepinkohippielibbyfag?
Posted by: actor212 | May 23, 2006 at 11:52 AM
And he had to pay court costs. Shit!
Posted by: Robot Buddha | May 23, 2006 at 12:55 PM
Yeah, I have a warm feeling. Must be the heat from the villager's torches as they prepare to storm the castle where the mad king dwells...
Posted by: cruelanimal | May 23, 2006 at 03:06 PM
I got a state secret, Bush is a mouth breather. Throw that out of court!
Posted by: Fred | May 23, 2006 at 04:24 PM
On Olbermann tonight, there was an interesting discussion about BushCo working around the law (and Constitution) with regard to data mining. Rather than do it themselves, they contract it out. That way they're not the ones doing it. Choicepoint was not specifically named, but you know, this is the first MSM mention I've even heard of this aspect--the buying of personal information from third parties.
I posted about this, what, two weeks ago. So did you.
Blogenfreude, a question: if you do something illegal, you will be held accountable if you're caught. Now what if you hire someone else to do it--to act as your agent in carrying out whatever activity--aren't you still committing a crime in the eyes of the Law? If it can be proven that the NSA hired a third party to mine data--or to supply already-mined data--knowing that it was gathered without warrants and without the permission of the individuals being surveilled, then the NSA broke the law, no less so than if they'd done the surveilling/mining themselves. Right?
Posted by: litbrit | May 23, 2006 at 07:48 PM
Doesn't that give you a warm feeling all over?
Not all over. Just down my legs. This is scary stuff.
Posted by: abi | May 23, 2006 at 07:51 PM
I have a warm feeling, the kind I get in my stomach just before . . . Oy.
Posted by: The Heretik | May 23, 2006 at 09:08 PM
C'mon, admit it: secrets are fun!
Besides, no one likes a secret-teller...or as I like to call them, "leakers!"
Posted by: Rex Kramer, Danger Seeker | May 23, 2006 at 09:19 PM
Now what if you hire someone else to do it--to act as your agent in carrying out whatever activity--aren't you still committing a crime in the eyes of the Law?
Depends on the law - usually you cannot cause someone to do something you are not permitted to do yourself. I honestly don't know what the situation is with FISA and other laws.
Posted by: blogenfrede | May 24, 2006 at 07:55 AM
LitBrit,
Isn't that essentially the Enron defense?
And weren't Skilling and Lay just roundly smacked down for doing just that?
Posted by: actor212 | May 24, 2006 at 08:28 AM
actor212, it sure sounds similar. But the thing that's different is the criminals here are the government. They probably have all sorts of exceptions for that.
You know, gotta protect the 'merican people and all.
*gag*
I wish I could find my buddy Bob's phone number. He was an ADA in Miami under Janet Reno and is a dear friend I haven't had contact with in ages. He was also head of the Organized Crime and Public Corruption Unit. Aaaarh, the perfect resource for answers to all this stuff! WHERE is my damned phone directory...
Posted by: litbrit | May 24, 2006 at 10:48 AM
actor212, it sure sounds similar. But the thing that's different is the criminals here are the government.
Enron wasn't running the country?
Posted by: actor212 | May 25, 2006 at 10:54 AM