"The Cover-Up Continues"- NY TIMES Editorial on OBAMA'S CONTINUATION of Bush Co.'s ABUSES

[Orwellian_Ghost]

Editorial
The Cover-Up Continues

Published: October 25, 2009

The Obama administration has clung for so long to the Bush administration’s expansive claims of national security and executive power that it is in danger of turning President George W. Bush’s cover-up of abuses committed in the name of fighting terrorism into President Barack Obama’s cover-up.

...

In the United States, the Obama administration is in the process of appealing a sound federal appellate court ruling last April in a civil lawsuit by Mr. Mohamed and four others. All were victims of the government’s extraordinary rendition program, under which foreigners were kidnapped and flown to other countries for interrogation and torture.

In that case, the Obama administration has repeated a disreputable Bush-era argument that the executive branch is entitled to have lawsuits shut down whenever it makes a blanket claim of national security. The ruling rejected that argument and noted that the government’s theory would “effectively cordon off all secret actions from judicial scrutiny, immunizing the C.I.A. and its partners from the demands and limits of the law.”



Victims of the Bush administration’s “enhanced interrogation techniques,” including Mr. Mohamed, have already spoken in harrowing detail about their mistreatment. The objective is to avoid official confirmation of wrongdoing that might be used in lawsuits against government officials and contractors, and might help create a public clamor for prosecuting those responsible.

President Obama calls that a distracting exercise in “looking back.” What it really is is justice.

...

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/26/opinion/26mon1.html

[ixion]

1. I've been very disappointed in Obama for continuing Bush policies

there are no excuses.

[DJ13]

2. I used to try and warn the cons

That it was in their own best interests to be against Bush's illegal spying because of their fear of a potential Hillary Presidency.

Didnt work, they were still defending it by saying "it keeps us safe!".

Many WERE worried, as they were conditioned to distrust the Clinton's, as I was worried about the abuse of power by Bush and Cheney.

When Hillary lost the nomination I was confident the issue would be resolved by our new Constitutional lawyer President.

Damn, was I a fool.

Power corrupts, no matter who wields it.

[Athelwulf]

3. "President Obama calls that a distracting exercise in 'looking back.' What it really is is justice."

TRUTH.

[G_j]

6. Exactly, Justice needs to be a solid rock, not a weather vane. nt

[dflprincess]

9. As has been mentioned on Stephanie Miller's show

all crimes have happened "in the past". If we followed that reasoning all the time, nobody would be prosecuted for anything.

[Athelwulf]

10. EXACTLY! Thank you. n/t

[inna]

4. wow, not bad for the NYT.

KR

[katandmoon]

5. K&R This continues to tarnish Obama's presidency.

[Athelwulf]

7. When can we finally have a Democratic president again, please?

Okay, that might be a little too cynical. But the year-long grace period I promised myself I'd allow is almost over, and I'm feeling less than impressed.

[bvar22]

8. From the same article:

"In a similar vein, Mr. Obama did a flip-flop last May and decided to resist orders by two federal courts to release photographs of soldiers abusing prisoners in Afghanistan and Iraq. Last week, just in time to avoid possible Supreme Court review of the matter, Congress created an exception to the Freedom of Information Act that gave Secretary of Defense Robert Gates authority to withhold the photos."

When did Congress vote on this?
I don't recall seeing this discussed on DU.

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

11. I posted about it last week. Here's some info

So few here cared :(

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=389&topic_id=6805557

According To Rep. Louise Slaughter, the WH asked that the torture photos be kept hidden.



Edited on Sun Oct-18-09 04:25 PM by OmmmSweetOmmm
This was neatly done by placing the determination of those photos within the H.R. 2892, The Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2010

http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/111_HR_2892.html

(Sec. 567) Detainee Photographic Records Protection Act of 2009 - Requires the Secretary of Defense to: (1) certify any photograph taken between September 11, 2001, and January 22, 2009, that relates to the treatment of individuals engaged, captured, or detained after September 11, 2001, by the U.S. Armed Forces in operations outside of the United States if the Secretary determines that disclosure of such photograph would endanger U.S. citizens or members of the Armed Forces or U.S. government employees deployed outside the United States; and (2) submit timely notice of such certification to Congress. Authorizes the Secretary to submit a renewal of a certification at any time. Provides that a certification or a renewal shall expire after three years. Exempts such a certified photograph from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), but does not preclude voluntary disclosure.

OPEN FOIA Act of 2009 - Amends FOIA to require statutory exemptions to its disclosure requirements to specifically cite its provision that authorizes such exemptions.

http://www.truthout.org/101709A

Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-New York) said in a floor statement that the provision to amend the Freedom of Information Act was stripped from an earlier version of the bill, but the language was quietly reinserted in recent weeks, "apparently under direct orders from the administration."

Rep. Louise Slaughter's House Floor Speech
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qADMDj1lk0o

Rep. Slaughter is one of the best members of Congress we have.

[bvar22]

62. LOL.

I responded 4 times to that thread!:dunce:


Guess I shouldna smoked all that pot in the 60s.

[sabrina 1]

79. Thanks, I didn't your OP ~

So, they are doing the same thing the Bush administration did, passing laws to cover the crimes when the existing laws are not sufficient.

I don't get it. Why would a Democratic Administration want to cover up war crimes for one of the worst administrations in US history?

It looks like we need help from outside and it may come from the British courts. Wasn't there a ruling recently in Britain that condemned the use of the 'National Security' defense against exposing torture and other war crimes?

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

12. K&R

[Toasterlad]

13. No Obama Apologists Yet? Shocking.

The cheerleaders MUST have some spin on why it's cool to continue Bush's abuse of power. I'm dying to hear it.

[Obamanaut]

14. K & R nt

[HamdenRice]

15. Yet another racist cartoon from the "slavery wasn't so bad" guy.

Are all your images of the first African American president, always of him in the role of janitor or wash room attendant?

[Orwellian_Ghost]

16. Wow Hammy that one's really sick

If you'll notice the individual doing the sweeping is doing it on a very nice wood floor in khaki pants with a nice table off to the side. The person sweeping is in socks in a relaxed mode. Perhaps you never do manual labor so you don't understand what this means.

Could you cite a single post of mine and link to it where there was an image of Obama or any black person that depicted him in the roles you described. Now of course what you have actually done here is once again violate the DU rules and used direct slander in an attempt to get the topic off track. Why you constantly do that is the real question as relates to your posting habits.

I can only assume that the NY Times editorial is something you are a bit squeamish about as you haven't anything to say on the matter at hand.

[HamdenRice]

17. You've posted cartoons of Obama as a janitor before

I'm sure you can use the search function. You're "slavery wasn't so bad" thread was a train wreck that many of us remember.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=389&topic_id=6085125

I wonder is there a theme here?

As for the editorial, you continue to slander and spin against Democrats -- par for the course. The Obama administration has ENDED abuse and torture. You are confusing a disagreement about whether "national security" constitutes grounds for dismissing a case with the continuation of abuse and torture.

Btw, Mom says you can take a break from world wide revolution in the basement for a few minutes because your toaster waffles are ready!

[Orwellian_Ghost]

19. You made the accusation

now back it up.

You are outright lying so as to slander someone. How is that allowed here?

[HamdenRice]

20. Where's the slander? You posted a cartoon of the president as a janitor

Period. End of story.

That's a racist image.

When Jackie Mason said it about New York's first African American mayor and the press unanimously called it racist, their saying so was uncontroversial.

[Orwellian_Ghost]

21. Where? When?

You are obviously unhinged and stalking in addition to blatant lying. How is that allowed I ask again?

Your obligation when making an accusation is to cite the evidence. In this case you are obligated to provide a link. Period. End of story.

I assume you agree with Obama's continuation of Bush abuses. You are further to the right on this than the NY Times. Speaks volumes.

[HamdenRice]

23. I wasn't aware that the job of US presidents ordinarily involve sweeping

while wearing informal work clothing.

Your OP portrays the first African American president as a janitor.

Period. End of story.

Your reputation from previous threads serves as context, moreover.

[Orwellian_Ghost]

24. Your elitism is showing

Looks to me like a guy sweeping his house. You know what that is right? I sweep my own dirt in my abode but it seems this possibility is alien to you so I understand how you could misunderstand simple reality.

Even a longtime poster who never agrees with me calls your accusation as BS.

It's okay though your lack of awareness is understood.

It seems you too would rather the crimes of the past be swept under the rug. Speaks volumes for your concept of justice.

[HamdenRice]

26. His house is the White House. I sweep my house, but Obama doesn't

Any other presidents known for sweeping the White House? Do tell! Or is it only this one?

[dionysus]

29. come on, that was clearly a flame-bait picture. why do you go out of your way to defend it?

i won't say it's racist but it is in rather poor taste.

[Orwellian_Ghost]

47. It's perfectly accurate

It speaks exactly to the NY Times editorial. You are simply upset to see it told so vividly and accurately.

[HamdenRice]

48. So tell us Bwana, have you ever seen Obama sweeping with a broom while in informal clothing?

If so, please provide a link.

If not, how is it "accurate"?

Thanks in advance, Bwana!

[dionysus]

52. if you're into bitterness and poorly done photoshop i suppose...

[cali]

18. ugh. I hate agreeing with you, but I feel compelled to state

that imo, there was nothing racist whatsoever about the image you posted.

[voc]

78. I will site that that IS a racist image. nt

Typical. carry on.

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

27. Good way to high jack a thread without addressing the point of it. How do you feel

about this administration continuing to hide crimes under the guise of national security.

BTW...IMHO, the cartoon is of Obama sweeping the crap under the rug, making sure it doesn't see the light of day.

[HamdenRice]

28. I did address the "substance" of the post and the phony subject line

Look up thread. It's not about continuing abuse; it's about secrecy, so once again the OPer is shown to be spinning the truth.

And, btw, racism needs to be called out every single time it rears its ugly face. Sorry if you feel it needs to be allowed to slide. This OPer has a long history on "certain issues."

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

30. Like cali, I didn't find it racist. nt

[HamdenRice]

31. Are you African American?

Perhaps we view portrayals of the first African American president as a janitor or a monkey differently because we come at it from different experiences and perspectives.

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

35. Excuse me? First of all, I am not African American but I am also

unprejudiced and have a multiracial extended family.

As to seeing him as a janitor or a monkey? You are so frigging way off base here. I saw it as a cartoon of the President (who does frequently dresses casually) sweeping his crap under the rug. Period.

[HamdenRice]

36. I defer to women about perceived sexism and yet

it's so rare on DU for white people to defer to people of color about what is or is not perceived to be racist.

One of the recurring themes in DU's African-American issues group is how often we are told that when we perceive something to be racist, we shouldn't.

I am not a sexist, have a partner who is a woman, and obviously have many women in my extended family, but that doesn't mean I second guess women about what is or isn't properly perceived to be sexist.

I have never seen any other president portrayed as wielding a broom or mop as consistently as Obama, particularly by certain posters.

Perhaps because my father and uncles could only work as broom wielding porters for a while after WWII, I tend to interpret cartoons about the first African American president always portrayed with a broom differently than you.

Don't you think it's at least conceivable that different life experiences might cause us to interpret images differently?

[Prism]

67. Yet you lecture gays all day long

About what is or is not discrimination, offensive, homophobic, etc.

Good lord, heal thyself.

[newtothegame]

38. Wow, sadly pathetic. Lemme guess; you spent November 4, 2008 taking pictures of your ballot?

Nevermind the fact that millions of your fellow citizens were being defined as second class animals with the passage of Prop 8 in CA.

Just because we happen to share the same skin color as the President doesn't mean it needs to define our lives. I'm sorry you had to suffer through slavery. Oh wait...well then I'm sorry that we've had to deal with all these slaveowners all our lives. Oh wait...

[HamdenRice]

39. Your comments say everything we need to know about you!

Thanks! We'll keep your views in mind with every post. Enjoy your stay at DU.

[newtothegame]

49. Thanks love. I've enjoyed the first 1000 posts thoroughly. Hugs and kisses. n/t

[ecstatic]

58. What an odd post/rant nt

[Number23]

77. oh.my.god. ???????????

:thumbsdown: :wow: :thumbsdown:

[goclark]

66. I agree, we do see things through different lenses

We see images and hear our relatives telling us about slavery and trees and janitors that are sweeping floors and not respected.


Yes, I see it as you do -- others may not.

I want to think that on DU people would at least appreciate where we are coming from but ~ :shrug:

[Orwellian_Ghost]

32. You got it wrong again

It is about abuse. The article is not talking about continued abuse of so-called "detainees" it is talking about abuse of executive authority which most definitely is being continued as the article clearly explains. It's hard to imagine you took care to actually examine the article as it was plain as day. You were too busy with your knee-jerk reactionary agenda to read what was explained quite simply and clearly in the editorial.

And again you are outright slandering as the history of "racism" from one of the most consistently anti-racist posters on the board you allude to is phony which is more revealing of your need to cover up the truth with bullshit.

From article:

The Obama administration has aggressively pursued such immunity in numerous other cases beyond the ones involving Mr. Mohamed. We do not take seriously the government’s claim that it is trying to protect intelligence or avoid harm to national security.

[HamdenRice]

33. "most consistently anti-racist posters"

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

Yeah, right. From the guy who thinks slavery wasn't so bad.

So tell us unwashed coloreds, oh great revolutionary Bwana, what other things you say we should not be offended by because you are the great anti-racist leeeeder!

[blindpig]

You're stepping all over your meat, Hamden

Your simple minded ploy is all over your face, as all but the most reactionary posters agree. I thought you were pretty smart but that gambit had 'fail' all over it from inception. Yet you continue to push it out of sheer animosity towards OG.

By all means, keep it up. Whatever credibility you had around here is diminished daily by your personal attacks, innuendo and seeming inability to address the facts of a post. You discredit your reactionary agenda, suits me fine.

k&r

[blindpig]

41. You're stepping all over your meat, Hamden

Your simple minded ploy is all over your face, as all but the most reactionary posters agree. I thought you were pretty smart but that gambit had 'fail' all over it from inception. Yet you continue to push it out of sheer animosity towards OG.

By all means, keep it up. Whatever credibility you had around here is diminished daily by your personal attacks, innuendo and seeming inability to address the facts of a post. You discredit your reactionary agenda, suits me fine.

k&r

[HamdenRice]

42. "stepping all over your meat"???

:rofl:

Btw, how is the forced line by line reading of Das Kapital going?

Is that the kind of "discussion" board you prefer?

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[blindpig]

53. "forced"? You're quite the cut up.

You must have learned your chops at the knee of Tail Gunner Joe.

[HamdenRice]

40. Filing a brief that disagrees with the plaintiff is an abuse of power?

I thought such an action was submitting to the rule of law and impartial decision making by the judicial branch.

Abuse of power is the illegal use of power -- such as refusing a court order, failing to answer a subpoena, or engaging in torture or illegal wiretaps in contravention of existing law.

I never had heard before that disagreeing with a plaintiff but submitting to judicial decision-making was an abuse of power. Whether one agrees with the position taken in the brief or not, it is puzzling to hear that the submission of a brief is an abuse of power.

Your grasp of law and government, and concepts like "abuse of power" continue to underwhelm.

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:
:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:
:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:
:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[newtothegame]

54. Crimey, seems you have a lot of friends and defenders here.

:sarcasm: I better back off...

[HamdenRice]

55. Yeah 'cause whether filing a brief is an abuse of power is to be decided by popularity with ...

DU's peanut gallery!

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

There are several who I take it as a point of pride to be very unpopular with -- especially considering how utterly unhinged they are on other forums where they can let it all hang out.

Btw, if you're interested they're up to something like page 6 of Das Kapital in their line by line study/criticism/self-criticism, and everyone has to "get it" before they move on, so it's not to late to sign on.

[newtothegame]

56. Sorry your life has come to that. Good luck in your desperate search for trolls. n/t

[Dreamer Tatum]

34. So if you man a broom, you're a janitor?

Does that work for baseball bats, too? I want to play in the World Series. Can someone Photoshop me in a Yankees uniform, please?

[newtothegame]

37. Wow, what a sadly desperate life you lead. Find some happiness. Hug some puppies.

Something.

[dolphindance]

63. newtothegame, huh? What game is that? Mediocrity? (eom)

[tomp]

46. didn't obama himself recently refer to picking up a broom or a mop...

...in regard to cleaning up the bush, inc mess and calling on repubs to do the same?

uh oh, obama is a racist!

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

51. Yes he did. Here's the quote and link

http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/64027-obama-urges-gop-to-get-a-mop-and-clean-up-mess

“I don’t mind cleaning up the mess that some other folks made, that’s what I signed up to do," Obama said. “But while I’m there mopping the floor I don’t want someone saying ‘You’re not mopping fast enough or you’re not holding the mop the right way.’ Grab a mop! Why don’t you help clean up?”

[cherokeeprogressive]

80. Self-delete

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

50. Well, the NY Times is run by Trotskyite Millionaires. Aren't they?

Your desperation is showing.

[Le Taz Hot]

22. K & R

[jensee]

25. He did do one thing different

They aren't enemy combatants anymore -- they are detainees :)

[Greyhound]

43. K&R.

[Echo In Light]

44. Several months ago many of us were calling the "Look Ahead" meme for what it is

[tomp]

45. evidence: obama's embrace of colin powell

no one should be surprised.

there is no justice in the usa and obama is complicit.

[ecstatic]

60. Was Powell given a cabinet position?

Maybe you haven't noticed, but Pres. Obama is publicly nice to everyone. Jindal, McCain, etc.

[tomp]

76. for the record, powell endorsed obama and obama accepted and praised...

...powell. he also said powell had a place in his administration if he wanted it. that's a bit beyond being nice in public.

besides, being nice to everyone in public isn't what i want from my president. i want him to call things like they are on national fucking television and maybe educate a few people.

powell is a warmongering corporatist piece of shit like the other warmongering corporatist pieces of shit he worked for, and along with mccain and jindal. the fact that obama was willing to even associate with him made obama unworthy of the presidency and not on my side.

but keep trying, maybe one day you'll actually understand what's going on, and see why you are part of the problem when you excuse obama's wrong behavior. but i'm not holding my breath.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

57. Under the rug and under the bus seem to be policy nowadays. K&R

[ecstatic]

59. I want BushCo tried, but I also don't want the troops to be

in any more danger than they already are... AND, I don't want what Bush did to be used to recruit more into terrorism.

And your picture SUCKS :thumbsdown:

[treestar]

61. Until the economy and health care are handled

Many are not going to care about this.

[dolphindance]

64. I'm ignoring you and all your posts from now on. (eom)

[newtothegame]

65. You may be the most entertaining DU'er I've ever seen. :) Best, newtothegame. n/t

[sendero]

68. Yeah..

... because if a republican does something wrong it is really evil but if a Democrat does it, it's just ok.

fuck you idiot.

[HamdenRice]

69. Just what did Obama do? That's the ultimate stupid crappiness of the OP

The incoming administration ended torture. Somehow in his compromised mind, the OPer is equating the filing of a brief about national security privilege with torture.

It's so stupid, it's beyond arguing with.

[shintao]

70. Co-Conspirator

No Justice, No Peace. Obama is making himself and Administrative Officials just as guilty as those who Tortured, Murdered, and Raped POWs in the name of the American People. While America will cover up the atrocities, foreign nations will not.

[HamdenRice]

71. ROFLMAO!

OK, so filing a national security brief is the same as "Tortured, Murdered, and Raped POWs" -- even though this administration ended torture.

Reality disconnected logic.

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[shintao]

72. Hey Laughing Boy

Desperate attempt to cover up war crimes? Sorry, not buying your bs.

[HamdenRice]

73. It's the moral equivalence that's stupid

Whether you disagree with the brief of not, saying it's the same as torture is really, really stupid.

On DU for some people, every bad person is Hitler; every social inequality is slavery; every bad social condition is the Holocaust.

Sorry, I don't buy it. It's counterfactual and denigrates the victims of the actual crimes.

[shintao]

82. Seems you continue to error

Have you bothered to read the article? No where in there does it say Bush or Obama made their case against torture. And obviously you don't understand the facts of the War Crimes committed here. Luckily you will be no where near the case to inject any stupidity to the debate.

[Wilms]

74. .

[HamdenRice]

75. Dag, another train wreck! nt

[Orwellian_Ghost]

81. Bump