Categories
Join Us At:
|
One Small Step Towards Accountability for TortureYesterday's L.A. Times reported Attorney General Eric Holder is expected to appoint an independent prosecutor to investigate CIA abuses committed during the interrogation of detainees in U.S. custody. For those of us who have been calling for accountability for torture, this is good first step, and we eagerly await further details about the scope of the investigation. 
The news, however, was met with some skepticism on the blogs. Digby at Salon and McJoan at DailyKos questioned the efficacy of an investigation that may only target CIA agents who went beyond the scope of the OLC memos. Writing about our Tortured Logic video, Andy Worthington writes: Remember, if Eric Holder fails to act, it will send a clear message that the President, the Vice President and their closest advisors can break the law with impunity — and shape America into a nation that tortures — so long as they're voted out of office at the end.Christy Hardin Smith at Firedoglake: The torture memos produced by the OLC were never meant to be seen and parsed by the public.Jeff Kaye writes: "The effect of watching the video is remarkable, as we hear out loud the monstrous legal justifications for the unjustifiable." If you haven't already, check out the video, send it to your friends, and most importantly, please send it to Attorney General Holder. Let him know that the time has come for a top-to-bottom, comprehensive investigation into Bush administration torture policies, and that you support the appointment of an independent prosecutor with the authority to follow evidence of torture wherever it leads.
Tags: accountability
A Blog of Rights Service Announcement: We are currently implementing some exciting new changes to this website. While we work on this, blog comments have been disabled. But they'll be back up ASAP, so hold that thought and you'll be able to submit your comment soon.
17 Responses to "One Small Step Towards Accountability for Torture" |
|
|
© ACLU, 125 Broad Street, 18th Floor New York, NY 10004 |
Aug 11th, 2009 at 8:44pm
Yeah...Mr Holder knows exactly what I think already...time for REPUBLICANS & CHRISTIANS to take a stand against torture...
Aug 12th, 2009 at 6:38am
Why aren't you fighting against this socialized health care ??
Why do you honor the retired supreme court justice Seutter who expanded eminant domain in this country?
You people claim that you protect our civil liberties but in actuality your just another liberal post that promotes socialism. Obama and his clan of commies did one thing that is good - they awakened a sleeping giant, the American people who until now did not pay attention to what the liberals like orgs like this one are attempting to do. All of you need a history lesson, I'll pray for you!!!!
Aug 12th, 2009 at 4:16pm
Torture is also a DOMESTIC affair...
U.S. GOVERNMENT PROGRAM TORTURES UNJUSTLY TARGETED CITIZENS WITH MICROWAVE, LASER RADIATION WEAPONRY, SAYS MAINSTREAM JOURNALIST
Silent, potentially deadly microwave/laser directed energy weapons are being used to torture and degrade the lives of thousands of U.S. citizens who have been unjustly targeted by a covert "multi-agency coordinated action program" overseen by a secretive division of the Department of Homeland Security, charges a longtime mainstream journalist who counts himself among its victims.
An extrajudicial targeting and "torture matrix" administered by this program deploys a civilian army of vigilantes recruited from the ranks of federally-funded community policing and volunteer organizations, and receives tacit support from local law enforcement.
The victims of this program, who claim they are targeted for reasons of politics, ideology and hate, are relentlessly stalked, harassed -- and, they say, tortured -- by directed energy weapons assault. The attacks are believed to be delivered by way of portable weaponry and via terrestrial and satellite telecommunications.
Victims' movements are tracked by covertly implanted GPS devices or their own cell phones. Some say they are kept virtual prisoners, tortured night and day, their property and possessions vandalized and disturbed when they leave their homes.
And, victims say, no federal or local authorities will investigate -- often insinuating that their claims are delusions and a symptom of mental illness.
The delusion, victims respond, is believing that democracy and the rule of law can survive when the federal government enables or commits war crimes against its own citizens.
http://nowpublic.com/world/gestapo-usa-govt-funded-vi gilante-network-terrorizes-america
OR (if link is corrupted / disabled):
http://NowPublic.com/scrivener RE: "GESTAPO USA"
OFFICIAL 2006 AIR FORCE VIDEO DISCUSSES 'SURGICAL PRECISION' OF MICROWAVE / LASER DIRECTED ENERGY WEAPONS
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSGprwJx_zs&NR=1
Aug 12th, 2009 at 4:20pm
(Second attempt to post this)
Torture is also a domestic affair...
Torture is also a domestic affair...
U.S. GOVERNMENT PROGRAM TORTURES UNJUSTLY TARGETED CITIZENS WITH MICROWAVE, LASER RADIATION WEAPONRY, SAYS MAINSTREAM JOURNALIST
Silent, potentially deadly microwave/laser directed energy weapons are being used to torture and degrade the lives of thousands of U.S. citizens who have been unjustly targeted by a covert "multi-agency coordinated action program" overseen by a secretive division of the Department of Homeland Security, charges a longtime mainstream journalist who counts himself among its victims.
An extrajudicial targeting and "torture matrix" administered by this program deploys a civilian army of vigilantes recruited from the ranks of federally-funded community policing and volunteer organizations, and receives tacit support from local law enforcement.
The victims of this program, who claim they are targeted for reasons of politics, ideology and hate, are relentlessly stalked, harassed -- and, they say, tortured -- by directed energy weapons assault. The attacks are believed to be delivered by way of portable weaponry and via terrestrial and satellite telecommunications.
Victims' movements are tracked by covertly implanted GPS devices or their own cell phones. Some say they are kept virtual prisoners, tortured night and day, their property and possessions vandalized and disturbed when they leave their homes.
And, victims say, no federal or local authorities will investigate -- often insinuating that their claims are delusions and a symptom of mental illness.
The delusion, victims respond, is believing that democracy and the rule of law can survive when the federal government enables or commits war crimes against its own citizens.
http://nowpublic.com/world/gestapo-usa-govt-funded-vi gilante-network-terrorizes-america
OR (if link is corrupted / disabled):
http://NowPublic.com/scrivener RE: "GESTAPO USA"
OFFICIAL 2006 AIR FORCE VIDEO DISCUSSES 'SURGICAL PRECISION' OF MICROWAVE / LASER DIRECTED ENERGY WEAPONS
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSGprwJx_zs&NR=1
Aug 12th, 2009 at 4:35pm
(third attempt to post this)
Torture is also a DOMESTIC affair...
Now I KNOW I'm getting through... even my "Fusion Center Hall of Shame" list is being spammed.
***
ONCE AGAIN, MY COMMENT TO THE ACLU WEB SITE WON'T GO THROUGH...
FIRST, A MESSAGE SAYING "WRONG SPAM WORD' WHEN IT WAS TYPED CORRECTLY...
THEN A MESSAGE SAYING, "YOU ALREADY SAID THAT!"
WHEN I REFRESH THE PAGE, THE COMMENT IS STILL NOT POSTED... AT LEAST ON THE PAGE AS DISPLAYED ON MY COMPUTER.
Here is the latest post that was apparently censored, or subject to prior restraint. I will make another attempt to post it to the most recent thread here about torture:
***
Torture is also a DOMESTIC affair...
U.S. GOVERNMENT PROGRAM TORTURES UNJUSTLY TARGETED CITIZENS WITH MICROWAVE, LASER RADIATION WEAPONRY, SAYS MAINSTREAM JOURNALIST
Silent, potentially deadly microwave/laser directed energy weapons are being used to torture and degrade the lives of thousands of U.S. citizens who have been unjustly targeted by a covert "multi-agency coordinated action program" overseen by a secretive division of the Department of Homeland Security, charges a longtime mainstream journalist who counts himself among its victims.
An extrajudicial targeting and "torture matrix" administered by this program deploys a civilian army of vigilantes recruited from the ranks of federally-funded community policing and volunteer organizations, and receives tacit support from local law enforcement.
The victims of this program, who claim they are targeted for reasons of politics, ideology and hate, are relentlessly stalked, harassed -- and, they say, tortured -- by directed energy weapons assault. The attacks are believed to be delivered by way of portable weaponry and via terrestrial and satellite telecommunications.
Victims' movements are tracked by covertly implanted GPS devices or their own cell phones. Some say they are kept virtual prisoners, tortured night and day, their property and possessions vandalized and disturbed when they leave their homes.
And, victims say, no federal or local authorities will investigate -- often insinuating that their claims are delusions and a symptom of mental illness.
The delusion, victims respond, is believing that democracy and the rule of law can survive when the federal government enables or commits war crimes against its own citizens.
http://nowpublic.com/world/gestapo-usa-govt-funded-vi gilante-network-terrorizes-america
OR (if link is corrupted / disabled):
http://NowPublic.com/scrivener RE: "GESTAPO USA"
OFFICIAL 2006 AIR FORCE VIDEO DISCUSSES 'SURGICAL PRECISION' OF MICROWAVE / LASER DIRECTED ENERGY WEAPONS
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSGprwJx
Aug 12th, 2009 at 4:59pm
My comment, elaborating on the statement that "torture is also a DOMESTIC affair," would not post here -- at least not on the page as displayed on my computer.
First, I received a "wrong spam word" message.
Then, on a second attempt, I received an on-screen message saying, "You already said that!"
Yet the message did appear to post to my "Fusion center Hall of Shame" list of apparent acts of government censorship and/or prior restraint.
So those of you who think torture only happens overseas, at Gitmo, or in prisons -- and those of who who still think political expression is not censored in America -- please go to the following ACLU blog link and scroll down to the bottom for the latest in apparent government fusion center censorship and/or prior restraint:
http://blog.aclu.org/2009/01/26/internet-filters-vol untary-ok-not-government-mandate
Aug 12th, 2009 at 5:09pm
ACLU moderator:
It is apparent that some entity is maliciously interfering with my postings here at ACLU blog.
Please remove the duplicate posts. I regret the need to ask you to do so.
It is my opinion that unjustly targeted citizens are being maliciously "hacked" by government-administered "fusion center" surveillance operatives.
Please see my running account at:
http://blog.aclu.org/2009/01/26/internet-filters-voluntary- ok-not-government-mandate
As I have said before, I believe government warrantless surveillance programs are being misused as a pretext to harass American citizens and to censor or exercise prior restraint upon their telecommunications.
I would like to see the ACLU sue the government on that basis in your battle to end warrantless surveillance.
Aug 13th, 2009 at 1:50am
google has targeted me for my attacts on the bush, fascist regime. all it takes is to dig up something from 22 years ago that I was rail-roaded into confessing.
I have been subjected to some hellish right-wing torture myself, death threats, under surveillance, home broken into, drive bys, once by a parade of drunken assholes. Never-mind I'm disabled and hardly a threat to anyone. They even stole my crutches and pured acid on my car, let dogs ruin my roses, and wont let me park long enough to unload groceries. I tried to file a discrimination case with the state of Kalifornia, which sent me back to my doctor four times to keep changing the request for accomodation. Was my doctor pissed? did the state shine me on? did the IRS, the state, social security,office of personnel management( U.S.) and the VA all get their measure of blood? dammed right, they all did. even my congress-woman couldn't do shit. the more shit I got the meaner I got. I don't answer my phone or talk to anyone but a couple friends now. My house was under the eyes of the law for weeks for allegely selling drugs. they even planted women where I go eat to get me entrapped. Am I a paranoid old man? Not any more. when they have done everything they can and I still dont budge, What can they do? Kill me? That would be a favor. It's best to let things go and live my life, what's left of it, in peace. Thanks for the great job the ACLU is doing. There are a lot of ignorant people that don't know the good you do.
I thank you, and will donate next time I have a few bucks.
Aug 13th, 2009 at 9:27am
BULLETIN TO ACLU: Torture is NOT just a "Foreign Affair"
U.S. GOVERNMENT PROGRAM TORTURES UNJUSTLY TARGETED CITIZENS WITH MICROWAVE, LASER RADIATION WEAPONRY, SAYS MAINSTREAM JOURNALIST
Silent, potentially deadly microwave/laser directed energy weapons are being used to torture and degrade the lives of thousands of U.S. citizens who have been unjustly targeted by a covert "multi-agency coordinated action program" overseen by a secretive division of the Department of Homeland Security, charges a longtime mainstream journalist who counts himself among its victims.
An extrajudicial targeting and "torture matrix" administered by this program deploys a civilian army of vigilantes recruited from the ranks of federally-funded community policing and volunteer organizations, and receives tacit support from local law enforcement.
The victims of this program, who claim they are targeted for reasons of politics, ideology and hate, are relentlessly stalked, harassed -- and, they say, tortured -- by directed energy weapons assault. The attacks are believed to be delivered by way of portable weaponry and via terrestrial and satellite telecommunications.
Victims' movements are tracked by covertly implanted GPS devices or their own cell phones. Some say they are kept virtual prisoners, tortured night and day, their property and possessions vandalized and disturbed when they leave their homes.
And, victims say, no federal or local authorities will investigate -- often insinuating that their claims are delusions and a symptom of mental illness.
The delusion, victims respond, is believing that democracy and the rule of law can survive when the federal government enables or commits war crimes against its own citizens.
http://nowpublic.com/world/gestapo-usa-govt-funded-vi gilante-network-terrorizes-america
OR (if link is corrupted / disabled):
http://NowPublic.com/scrivener RE: "GESTAPO USA"
OFFICIAL 2006 AIR FORCE VIDEO DISCUSSES 'SURGICAL PRECISION' OF MICROWAVE / LASER DIRECTED ENERGY WEAPONS
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSGprwJx_zs&NR=1
Aug 14th, 2009 at 12:54pm
Vic, Yes, something is going on domestically and it's horrific, but when you post and re-post, you discredit yourself and others, in my opinion.
I don't know about anything that I haven't seen and/or experienced, so I'm not able to comment on the illegal use of microwave and/or laser directed energy weapons.
Having said this, there are quite clearly squads of goons and thugs who are harassing some very good people in this country. Some in law enforcement appear to be involved. These stalking squads are a fact, but their existence is so unbelievable that no one, apparently, will investigate.
Those who are trying to expose these campaigns of psychological harassment and terrorism are dismissed. And so it all continues.
Who is going to speak up? Who will help the innocent, law-abiding, patriotic Americans who have been targeted (and are being victimized) by these Kafka-esque programs?
Aug 16th, 2009 at 8:08pm
ACLU is nothing but a group that wants to push their ideas and beliefs on others. There is no law or anything in the constitution about separation of church and state. That was a letter from Tomas Jefferson to the Baptist in Mass. The ACLU taking 2 people to court for a prayer in Florida is like the Communist telling people in their country they can not have religion at all, and eventually it will come to that if the ACLU has their way. It is amazing in a democratic country that a group is able to push their beliefs and get certain government people to allow this to happen. If you take a nation wide poll, a law of separation of church and state would never pass and the majority would be for school prayer as well as government prayer and the freedom display things like Christmas on courthouse lawns.ACLU is in the minority. Hollywood is behind it because they like their way of life and hate anything that has a sense of religion, because its against their sorted way of life. Oliver Stone is one of the biggest liars in Hollywood, makes a movie about Vietnam and was never there. ACLU, you are not the voice of the people, stay out of my life, you don't think for me!!!
Aug 17th, 2009 at 11:24am
You certainly deserve and have earned the distrust and disgust from millions of Americans.
I am speaking of the two gentlemen who face PRISON time for saying a prayer. You want to talk about "TORTURE"; how about this. I want someone to put you in prison and take away a pension you have worked 30 and 40 years to earn. Is this not "TORTURE"?
Denying the Student President a right to speak at her own graduation because of something she MIGHT say, because she is a Christian, before you even have any idea of what she will say. Is this not torture. Take these two things to court, and unless you can find a buddy Judge to uphold your ridiculous charges, they will throw you out on your arrogant behinds, and I hope they do. You are a profoundly hypocritical bunch of no-goods.
Aug 17th, 2009 at 12:45pm
Richard, it's a good thing then that this country was established in a way that prevents the tyranny of the majority. If it were up to people who are unwilling to walk a mile in someone else's shoes, we would still have slavery, women could not vote, schools would be segregated, and Blacks and Whites could not marry.
The first amendment of the US Constitution states,
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. "
The first phrase has been held by over 230 years of activist courts to be a separation of Church and State. You don't cite the Florida case and I am guessing it is the one in Milton. In that case, the teachers were not praying, they were representatives of the State forcing their religious beliefs on others in a State supported event.
If you feel so strongly, why don't you start a campaign to amend the Constitution?
Aug 17th, 2009 at 1:38pm
Richard it is the bigots and war mongers like yourself who are shoving your warped beliefs on other people.
Aug 18th, 2009 at 6:54pm
the ACLU should be Skined alive if you try to stop CRosses and using Jesus name go back to a country that does not believe in these things I don't need a bunch of draft dodgers talking for me Like the saying goes LOVE ME OR LEAVE ME and that goes for GOD and COUNTRY
Sep 27th, 2009 at 2:29am
Torture is nothing more than a political tool used to spread fear. How often do we hear that the law was tossed aside in order to catch the bad guy. Who decides when the law can be ignored. Do we really need a class system where the "haves" make the rules to suit the occasion.
Oct 10th, 2009 at 2:37pm
Mark Your Calendars ! Oct 14th, Worldwide Protest against Electronic Torture
for specific locations and times around the planet.
please email
Deborah A. Newhook
International Alliance Against Covert Electronic Abuse
'we live to achieve justice'
dbnewhook[a]yahoo.ca
freedomfchs.startlogic.com/iaacea/
(250)591-5888
Wednesday, October 14, 2009:
the IAACEA is staging a worldwide protest against the use of electronic technologies that assault and harass members of the unwitting public. This coalition unites concerned professionals and victim groups from all over the world.
Simultaneous protests are taking place in the following global locations:
USA
Los Angeles
San Francisco 11pm to 2 pm, Victoria Garden, by SF City Hall
New York
Washington, DC
Philadelphia
Cincinnati
Canada
Victoria, British Columbia: The protest will begin at 2:30 pm, at 1212 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC
Toronto
UK
London
China
(Email protest only in China)
Through these protests and international solidarity, our goals are:
* To Educate the public about the erosion of our basic human rights.
* To Lobby the government to create laws to protect people from covert electronic abuse.
*To Provide community support for those people and their families who are affected by covert electronic abuse.
* To Challenge governments and those who hold power to end abusive practices and respect international human rights law.
* To Collaborate with international organizations:
to obtain justice for survivors of torture;
to hold accountable the governments and individuals who perpetrate torture;
to develop the means of ensuring compliance with international standards and securing remedies for victims.
Deborah A. Newhook
International Alliance Against Covert Electronic Abuse
'We live to achieve justice..'
dbnewhook[a]yahoo.ca
freedomfchs.startlogic.com/iaacea/
(250)591-5888