Entries by emptywheel

Steny’s Discharge

Steny Hoyer wants you to believe he’s having a discharge problem.

But he’s not.

Which is kind of weird, don’t you think? That Steny would try to excuse his own cowardly actions because of someone’s–or someone’s lack of?–discharge, when, as sympathetic as you might be to Steny about his discharge problem, you know it’s just an embarrassed excuse.

Lamberth Doesn’t Seem to Think the Boumediene Sky Is Falling

Because Chief Judge Royce Lamberth of the DC Circuit (where many Gitmo habeas petitions are currently pending) sure seems to be moving forward on developing procedures to give the Gitmo prisoners their habeas petitions.

U.S. District Court Chief Judge Royce C. Lamberth met today with lawyers from the Department of Justice and representatives of the Guantanamo detainees to discuss how the court should proceed in light of last week’s Supreme Court decision

The Removal of Clothing Does Not Lead to Nudity

In a pathetic attempt to claim that the techniques–including the use of phobias and the removal of clothing–approved by Rummy in December 2002 did not lead to the abuses at Abu Ghraib, Jim Haynes, Diane Beaver, and Jane Dalton are all claiming that the removal of clothing is qualitatively different than nudity.

But … But … What about Oversight?

“Scottish Haggis” Specter, letting his better judgment get the better of him, has decided he has better things to do with his time.

Sen. Arlen Specter said he won’t call for congressional hearings on the NFL’s investigation of the Spygate scandal after previously threatening to do so. Specter’s office confirmed Tuesday his comments a day earlier to the Philadelphia Daily News editorial board, in which he said “I’ve gone as far as

Senate Armed Services Torture Hearing, Four (Haynes)

Haynes: How our country deals with this unprecedented threat. This is as it should be. The end of this can only come with history’s judgment of how our Administration served in protecting America. We know that America’s enemies are relentless. I look forward to watching our nation’s leaders to advancing our nation’s security and freedom.

[Alright, Levin, just like you did to Ickes.]

Levin:

Senate Armed Services Torture Hearing, Three

Graham: I understand from Schmitt-Furlow report that a dog was used in interrogation.

Beaver: I was not aware of it.

Graham when you said this didn’t happen at Gitmo, you’re not right.

Beaver: What was approved did not happen.

Graham Who did this?

Beaver: I don’t know.

Graham it was part of interrogation plan. Also strip-searched in front of female personnel.

Senate Armed Services Torture Hearing, Two

Here are the documents released by the committee.

Are here are some links to Spencer Ackerman’s work on this: here, here, here, and here.

McCaskill: We disrespect men and women who serve if we don’t have this hearing. Did you review Beaver opinion?

Shiffin:No

McCaskill: If you came across phrase, “immnuity in advance,” would it cause you pause?

Shiffrin:

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