I guess I don't understand

[Jenny_Jackson]

"The United States does not torture." G.W. Bush

Now my confusion - If Bush isn't lying, then what is there to hide?

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15539945/

By Carol D. Leonnig and Eric Rich

Updated: 4:23 a.m. PT Nov 4, 2006
The Bush administration has told a federal judge that terrorism suspects held in secret CIA prisons should not be allowed to reveal details of the "alternative interrogation methods" that their captors used to get them to talk.

The government says in new court filings that those interrogation methods are now among the nation's most sensitive national security secrets and that their release -- even to the detainees' own attorneys -- "could reasonably be expected to cause extremely grave damage." Terrorists could use the information to train in counter-interrogation techniques and foil government efforts to elicit information about their methods and plots, according to government documents submitted to U.S. District Judge Reggie B. Walton on Oct. 26.

The battle over legal rights for terrorism suspects detained for years in CIA prisons centers on Majid Khan, a 26-year-old former Catonsville resident who was one of 14 high-value detainees transferred in September from the "black" sites to the U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. A lawyer with the Center for Constitutional Rights, which represents many detainees at Guantanamo, is seeking emergency access to him.

‘Alternative interrogation techniques’
The government, in trying to block lawyers' access to the 14 detainees, effectively asserts that the detainees' experiences are a secret that should never be shared with the public.

Because Khan "was detained by CIA in this program, he may have come into possession of information, including locations of detention, conditions of detention, and alternative interrogation techniques that is classified at the TOP SECRET//SCI level," an affidavit from CIA Information Review Officer Marilyn A. Dorn states, using the acronym for "sensitive compartmented information."

Gitanjali Gutierrez, an attorney for Khan's family, responded in a court document yesterday that there is no evidence that Khan had top-secret information. "Rather," she said, "the executive is attempting to misuse its classification authority . . . to conceal illegal or embarrassing executive conduct."

Joseph Margulies, a Northwestern University law professor who has represented several detainees at Guantanamo, said the prisoners "can't even say what our government did to these guys to elicit the statements that are the basis for them being held. Kafka-esque doesn't do it justice. This is 'Alice in Wonderland.' "

Kathleen Blomquist, a Justice Department spokeswoman, said yesterday that details of the CIA program must be protected from disclosure. She said the lawyer's proposal for talking with Khan "is inadequate to protect unique and potentially highly classified information that is vital to our country's ability to fight terrorism."

Feds fight access to lawyers
Government lawyers also argue in court papers that detainees such as Khan previously held in CIA sites have no automatic right to speak to lawyers because the new Military Commissions Act, signed by President Bush last month, stripped them of access to U.S. courts. That law established separate military trials for terrorism suspects.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit is considering whether Guantanamo detainees have the right to challenge their imprisonment in U.S. courts. The government urged Walton to defer any decision on access to lawyers until the higher court rules.

 

[cloudy]

Anyone that believes a single word that comes out of Bush's mouth is either as idiotic as he is, severely deluding themselves, or needs help for their denial problem.

The fact that Bush lies is nothing new.

 

[TheeGoatPig]

Anyone that believes a single word that comes out of Bush's mouth is either as idiotic as he is, severely deluding themselves, or needs help for their denial problem.

The fact that Bush lies is nothing new.

My father needs help with his denial. Unfortunately, he on't take any offered.

 

[OhMissScarlett]

Anyone who doesn't believe the US is torturing prisoners should read this article, which appeared in a recent issue of Rolling Stone. It made me sick. I can't believe Bush has the audacity to lecture other countries about human rights.

 

[cloudy]

Ever since I became (very) familiar with the Leonard Peltier case, my faith in our justice system (which was shaky to begin with) has been nil.

If anyone still believes that our government, our justice system, is fair, all they have to do is read up on it, and that was in the 70's.

*points to link in sig*

 

[Stella_Omega]

yep-- Bush is a liar. Hopefully, that makes it easier to understand.

Not easier to accept, of course

 

[rgraham666]

But lying works.

In fact most people prefer lies to the truth.

Lies are very often warm, wonderful things that make you feel better.

The truth is very often the opposite.

And, as in this case, lies are a good way to avoid responsibility. Another thing that makes people feel better.

 

[Antfarmer77]

Here's a list of the U.S. Presidents that haven't lied to the American people:



Look for future updates.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

Haven't you all heard? The new techniques for interrogation of prisoners are now under the control of those aliens at Area 51.

Oh and they also control all the politicians in the US.


Oh and torture doesn't get you much in the way of reliable information but whackin' them up on scopalomine might. Or maybe there is a new drug which will make them into blathering idiots.

 

[ChristopherMaxwell]

Tony Blair is no better, of course. Lying chap. I'd call him a bugger or a bastard, but most of those are nice folks.