Deadline For Appeal Or Handover Of Abu Ghraib Photos Is Fast Approaching.

[DistressedAmerican]

The twenty day stay of the order to turn over abuse photos and video is due to expire next Wed. the 19th.

Judge Hellerstein has ruled consistently for release despite a previous last minute appeal. I expect another. We'll see where it goes.

The original ruling in online here: http://action.aclu.org/torturefoia/legal/ruling092905.pdf

And here is the write up from the ACUL website:

Court Orders Release of Images of Detainee Abuse at Abu Ghraib

September 29, 2005

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NEW YORK – A federal judge has ordered the release of photos and videos of detainee abuse at Iraq's Abu Ghraib prison, saying that the photos may answer important questions about government accountability. In seeking the release of the images, the American Civil Liberties Union and its allies said the images are a critical component in the quest for public accountability.

Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein today agreed, saying publication of the photographs will help to answer questions not only about the unlawful conduct of American soldiers, but about “the command structure that failed to exercise discipline over the troops, and the persons in that command structure whose failures in exercising supervision may make them culpable along with the soldiers who were court-martialed for perpetrating the wrongs.”

The following quote can be attributed to ACLU Executive Director Anthony D. Romero: "Today's historic ruling is a step toward ensuring that our government's leaders are held accountable for the abuse and torture that happened on their watch. The American public has a right to know what happened in American detention centers, and how our leaders let it occur."

[texpatriot2004]

1. Thanks I knew it had to be soon, but couldn't remember when. n.t

[napi21]

2. At what point will this judge say, enough guys! Give 'em up!

I know in most cases, there are appeals, but is it not up to the judge to say, STOP IT, and just damn do what I told you?

[marmar]

3. Don't you think an appeal is almost a certainty, though?

They seem determined not to give up these pics.

[truebrit71]

6. Not sure....could be a bad week for Cokey McSmirk next week...

...possible indictments and the torture photos would be REALLY too much to handle..they'd need some sort of distraction....but what?? Hey! I know! Let's televise Sadam's "trial"...!!!

Yeah! That's the ticket!

I think the DoD has run out of options, and will just simply try and bury the release of the pics as best as possible...

[Inland]

4. Anyone else feeling orangealerty? nt

[nadinbrzezinski]

9. how about red?

I am serious... now the good news is I have cloting that will better color coordinate with red than orange.

[thebigidea]

5. as always, remember that the Washington Post has these pics

and has determined that we don't need to see them. We can count on Rumsfeld's Pentagon to stonewall, but what about our supposed liberal media? Pressure should be directed to them.

[mitchtv]

7. as much as they need to be out

I have given up any hope of them being released

[NNN0LHI]

8. "They" will be released

But "they" won't be the same photos that turned our senators white as a sheet after they viewed them though. Actually I don't see how they can all be released anyway? Some of the images that have been described would be considered child pornography. I don't see how they could ever release that?

Don

[texpatriot2004]

10. In light of the new exec order I wonder if they will be released? nt

[DistressedAmerican]

11. I'm Not Familiar. Fill Me In. What New Exec Order?

[texpatriot2004]

12. Friday, Oct. 14, 2005 Exec Order to Court Martial Manual

Hang on, I'll get you a link or two.

Here's the link to the changes:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/10/20051014-1.html

Warning it's hard to read because they don't post the integrated document.

Here is the link to my second thread on this topic
The link to the exec order on this thread changed after I posted it...wierd.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=5075821&mesg_id=5075821

Here is the original thread which is hard to follow
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x5073399

There you go. It squelches any protests from active military personnel. It creates a "legal black hole" where any information entered into evidence (labels like "classified" or "national security" don't matter) can be sealed so that it can only be viewed by "authorized" viewers. Journalists who do not comply face great difficulties. So, say like in the Lyndie England case, those photos would not have been seen by anyone but "authorized" viewers. There is speculation, but no clarification as of yet as to whether or not this will have an effect on the Abu Ghraib photos due to be released this Wednesday, Oct. 19th. As I understand it, those are some of the changes. My understanding is limited and ongoing.

[DistressedAmerican]

13. Holy Crap! So, That iIs What They Have Been Cooking In The Back Room!

That is very unnerving stuff there. Thnks fo much for bringing it to my attehtion! I will have to take a good hard look at that one.

[texpatriot2004]

17. Yep. Aren't they always cooking something in the back room. nm

[uppityperson]

14. Thanks for the reminder of when they are (again) due out

I sure hope they make it out sometime soon.

[texpatriot2004]

15. Wed. Oct 19th nm

[kohodog]

16. Wow, Indictments and the photos on the same day!

A guessabout the indictments, but they may be distracted to the point they let the photos come out. And I do expect indictments this week.