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Justice Dept. Argues Appeal of NDAA Ruling
The ability of the U.S. government to jail people without charge or trial is back in court. A group of reporters, scholars and activists -- including Noam Chomsky and Chris Hedges -- are suing the Obama administration over the controversial provision in the National Defense Authorization Act, saying it could allow for the indefinite detention of journalists and others who interact with certain groups.
Feb 07, 2013
The ability of the U.S. government to jail people without charge or trial is back in court. A group of reporters, scholars and activists -- including Noam Chomsky and Chris Hedges -- are suing the Obama administration over the controversial provision in the National Defense Authorization Act, saying it could allow for the indefinite detention of journalists and others who interact with certain groups.
On Wednesday, the Justice Department asked an appeals court to reverse a judge's earlier decision blocking indefinite detention, saying the ruling would hamper its ability to fight terrorism. The Obama administration has already won an emergency freeze of the ruling while the case is appealed. Plaintiffs Tangerine Bolen and Daniel Ellsberg, the Pentagon whistleblower, spoke outside the courthouse on Wednesday.
Tangerine Bolen: "We're trying to get people across the country to stand with us because this is the thin line between the last of our fundamental civil liberties. The NDAA (National Defense Authorization Act) rolls back our rights to pre-Magna Carta days. Due process, we've had that for the last 800 years. It's really basic. If you are for the U.S. Constitution, you should support our case."
Daniel Ellsberg: "I think that our Constitution has been under assault for 10 years now -- mostly covertly. At first, they simply lied they were doing it, that they weren't torturing anybody; weren't sending anybody to rendition. Now, they're openly proclaiming it. I think they've laid down the gauge here, laid down the challenge to the American public as a whole."
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This country and this world are at a monumental crossroads. US voters have an opportunity to beat back the forces of fascism and confront the billionaires who are rigging the economy, our media system, and our democracy, making it increasingly impossible for ordinary people to get by. We’re not just talking about the election. We’re talking about what must be done once these fascist elements are vanquished from power. We need a bolder set of solutions than what either major party has so far been willing to offer and a working-class movement ready to fight like hell for it. Trump didn't emerge from nowhere. The conditions that fueled MAGA authoritarianism were created by decades of radical neoliberal economic policies and a corrupt political system dominated by corporate interests. They slashed taxes on the super-rich, promising that the benefits would trickle down. They said giveaways to the corporate titans would make life more affordable for the rest of us. It was all bullshit. And when a bitter, betrayed populace searches for someone to blame, right-wing demagogues have little trouble finding scapegoats. People know when they're being lied to, but you won't hear any of this from the corporate media. Only independent journalism—powered and funded by people who believe in building a better world—can deliver truly trustworthy daily news. If you share our vision, please contribute whatever you can to sustain our work. |
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The ability of the U.S. government to jail people without charge or trial is back in court. A group of reporters, scholars and activists -- including Noam Chomsky and Chris Hedges -- are suing the Obama administration over the controversial provision in the National Defense Authorization Act, saying it could allow for the indefinite detention of journalists and others who interact with certain groups.
On Wednesday, the Justice Department asked an appeals court to reverse a judge's earlier decision blocking indefinite detention, saying the ruling would hamper its ability to fight terrorism. The Obama administration has already won an emergency freeze of the ruling while the case is appealed. Plaintiffs Tangerine Bolen and Daniel Ellsberg, the Pentagon whistleblower, spoke outside the courthouse on Wednesday.
Tangerine Bolen: "We're trying to get people across the country to stand with us because this is the thin line between the last of our fundamental civil liberties. The NDAA (National Defense Authorization Act) rolls back our rights to pre-Magna Carta days. Due process, we've had that for the last 800 years. It's really basic. If you are for the U.S. Constitution, you should support our case."
Daniel Ellsberg: "I think that our Constitution has been under assault for 10 years now -- mostly covertly. At first, they simply lied they were doing it, that they weren't torturing anybody; weren't sending anybody to rendition. Now, they're openly proclaiming it. I think they've laid down the gauge here, laid down the challenge to the American public as a whole."
The ability of the U.S. government to jail people without charge or trial is back in court. A group of reporters, scholars and activists -- including Noam Chomsky and Chris Hedges -- are suing the Obama administration over the controversial provision in the National Defense Authorization Act, saying it could allow for the indefinite detention of journalists and others who interact with certain groups.
On Wednesday, the Justice Department asked an appeals court to reverse a judge's earlier decision blocking indefinite detention, saying the ruling would hamper its ability to fight terrorism. The Obama administration has already won an emergency freeze of the ruling while the case is appealed. Plaintiffs Tangerine Bolen and Daniel Ellsberg, the Pentagon whistleblower, spoke outside the courthouse on Wednesday.
Tangerine Bolen: "We're trying to get people across the country to stand with us because this is the thin line between the last of our fundamental civil liberties. The NDAA (National Defense Authorization Act) rolls back our rights to pre-Magna Carta days. Due process, we've had that for the last 800 years. It's really basic. If you are for the U.S. Constitution, you should support our case."
Daniel Ellsberg: "I think that our Constitution has been under assault for 10 years now -- mostly covertly. At first, they simply lied they were doing it, that they weren't torturing anybody; weren't sending anybody to rendition. Now, they're openly proclaiming it. I think they've laid down the gauge here, laid down the challenge to the American public as a whole."
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