ACLU 18 mo Study: Obama Admin - In Danger Of Establishing "New Normal" With Worst Bush-Era Policies

[kpete]

Obama Administration In Danger Of Establishing "New Normal" With Worst Bush-Era Policies, Says ACLU

National Security

In the eighteen months since the issuance of those executive orders, the administration’s record on issues related to civil liberties and national security has been, at best, mixed. Indeed, on a range of issues including accountability for torture, detention of terrorism suspects, and use of lethal force against civilians, there is a very real danger that the Obama administration will enshrine permanently within the law policies and practices that were widely considered extreme and unlawful during the Bush administration. There is a real danger, in other words, that the Obama administration will preside over the creation of a "new normal."

July 29, 2010

Group Releases 18-Month Review Of President's National Security Policies And Civil Liberties

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: [phone]; [e-mail]

NEW YORK – The Obama administration has repudiated some of the Bush administration's most egregious national security policies but is in danger of institutionalizing others permanently into law, thereby creating a troubling "new normal," according to a new report released today by the American Civil Liberties Union.

"Establishing a New Normal: National Security, Civil Liberties, and Human Rights Under the Obama Administration," an 18-month review of the Obama administration's record on national security issues affecting civil liberties, concludes that the current administration's record on issues of national security and civil liberties is decidedly mixed: President Obama has made great strides in some areas, such as his auspicious first steps to categorically prohibit torture, outlaw the CIA's use of secret overseas detention sites and release the Bush administration's torture memos, but he has failed to eliminate some of the worst policies put in place by President Bush, such as military commissions and indefinite detention. He has also expanded the Bush administration's "targeted killing" program.

The 22-page report, which was researched and written by staff in the ACLU's National Security Project and Washington Legislative Office, reviews the administration's record in the areas of transparency, torture and accountability, detention, targeted killing, military commissions, speech and surveillance and watchlists.

..................

According to the ACLU's report, the first 18 months of Obama's presidency have been marked by a pattern wherein significant achievements for civil liberties have often been followed by setbacks. For instance, the positive step of releasing Justice Department memoranda that purported to authorize the Bush administration's torture regime was followed by the troubling decision to fight the release of photos depicting the abuse of prisoners in CIA custody. The administration's commitment to dismantle Guantánamo has been undermined by its assertion of the authority to detain people indefinitely without charge or trial. And prohibitions against torture have been weakened by the failure to hold top Bush administration officials accountable for their role in the torture program.

more:
http://www.aclu.org/national-security/obama-administration-danger-establishing-new-normal-worst-bush-era-policies-says-a

"Change: It's the new Same"

[NightWatcher]

1. ACLU under the bus in 3.....2.....1....

I'm liking more and more the people under here with the rest of us. I'm afraid 'the bus' is going to be a lonely ride and will not go anywhere since all of us under here will be making travel impossible with the wheels being 50 feet off the roadway.

See ya in 2012

[Hell Hath No Fury]

3. Hey, under the bus is THE place to be!

All the cool peple are here! :D

[slay]

8. Maybe there is someone else under here

a primary candidate to run against Obama for 2012 maybe? I find it increasingly hard - no strike that - near impossible to justify voting for him in 2012. Yet I know a Republican will be worse. Will that be the year I just start writing in Kucinich or Bernie Sanders or Alan Grayson? Very well could be.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

12. I woud love a primary challenge --

even if the only point is for someone to the left to drive the primary dialogue, push the facts, and confront O on his shitty policies.

A true challenger would be fantastic -- I just don't think anyone si going to step up. :(

Right now it looks like I may end up writing in.

[Mimosa]

15. What's not to love about 6'5" President Grayson? grrrrr....

Take that, Repiglicans!;)

[slay]

27. Ha yeah - can't use his looks against him like they do Dennis

which in itself is so wrong but Grayson brings a lot to the table - Obama could learn so much from him just in the form of standing up for the people first!

[Dr.Phool]

25. FDR needs some company.

Actually, it's not lonely under here at all.

[Forkboy]

30. Some Mavericks especially hate the ACLU.

[Ignis]

65. You betcha.

[Hydra]

42. The ACLU lives under the bus

Unless they happen to be defending the approved people/issue of the day. Otherwise they get the evil eye.

Props to them for fighting for something important, no matter who is causing the problem.

[Kurovski]

2. Yep. Tha's the danger.

What's up with that, Big O? Dude! C'mon!

K&R.

[Radical Activist]

4. We failed to prosecute Iran-Contra

and it only emboldened them to come back and do worse. Personally, I believe it's the proper role of Congress to lead the oversight function. But somebody needs to do it.

My prediction for the rest of this thread is that people who ignore everything the report says about anything positive Obama did will get in another fight with people who don't think Obama is satan.

[Kurovski]

5. It's a cliche, but I believe he's doing his best.

On every front, the country has been severely damaged by BushCo.

[slay]

9. Well then his best is nowhere near good enough

IMO. Escalating wars for profit, no universal health care for Americans, but health care for Iraqis. Corporations run everything, they've bought the congress, and where is our man of the people - the man of "hope and change". Oh yeah, he's the one who never even wanted an investigation of the Bush/Cheney crimes, he's the one who is continuing all the horrible Patriot Act shit from the Bush years. I hate to say it but Obama is not part of the solution at this point, he's part of the problem. Him and all his corporate and banker buddies.

[Mimosa]

24. no universal health care for Americans, but health care for Iraqis..

Why does that stick in my craw?

I just calculated that most months our BC/BS health ins premiums -$894 for 70/30 $10,000 deductible, rx coverage deductible $1,000- is about 20% of our monthly income. We're both over 55, and there's no other ins we can get cheaper.

So, when we get older, people will say we didn't save enough. There's nothing left to save.

I keep wanting to drop insurance but I'm afraid to, in case of accident or heart attack, then we could lose our home!

[slay]

32. I hear ya - it's just plain wrong

just like Michael Moore proved in Sicko. It sucks he's been so demonized because Sicko and Capitalism: A Love Story were both amazing in a very sad way. Why can we not learn from Canada at least in regards to health care? Why can't we ever learn anything from any other country? It's so wrong to allow insurance companies to steal money from you, me, everyone the way they do. To PROFIT from our illnesses and problems with the complete and total knowledge that our health WILL decline with age - they can't ever lose unless we stop them. What Obama signed is not even close. We've missed so many opportunities to help so many and instead have ended up with so many being hurt either by massive health care bills or losing their homes it just makes me want to cry - or yell at Obama - WHAT ARE YOU DOING? He said the buck stops with him so he should have pushed for universal health care but he didn't. We are owned by corporations and only a non-corporate President can help at this point.

I hate that it's hitting yall that hard too. If I was younger, I'd have to seriously consider leaving this country I'm afraid. If Obama coming off of 8 hellish years of George Bush with a huge mandate for change won't do it, who will? Real people are experiencing real pain, right now. :(

*on edit - i'm glad the Iraqis are getting health care - god knows they deserve it after what we did to them, but if they get it, and we're funding it, then we should get it too!!!

[Mimosa]

39. Slay, nobody will take us! ;)

Americans sometimes say we want to leave. Who wants us without money? We're no better than Guatemalans without capital, iykwim.

[slay]

I have friends in Canada - however

whether the government of Canada would let me in permanently - I dunno. Besides, I'd like to fix what's wrong here. I am worried though that we have given so much power and money to the military, right-wing authoritarian government, and corporations that fixing America might no longer be possible. :(

I'm too old to leave anyways. I guess I'll do my best to promote real change and a society which creates a better life for 98% of Americans, instead of just the top 2%. Our society has too many billionaires as well as wayyyy too many poor and homeless. We are out of balance. Something's got to give.

[russspeakeasy]

72. Would you be so kind as to introduce me

to your friends in Canada...? I don't have any money, but I
can cook and take care of their pets...
My guess is that at my age I am not going to see the
"fixing what is wrong here" and unless something is
done in the next 5-6 years we will all adjust to the shit that
is given us.
"The best thing about people is that they are adaptable.
The worst thing about people is that they are adaptable and
forgetful".    I don't know who said that, but somebody
did... 

[slay]

76. I would be glad to

send me a message to my inbox. most likely they could put you up in a garage apartment, or know people that could. i'm not quite ready to up and leave, and likely never will, but it's nice to know the option is there. i'd like to think we'd organize into DU communes by area and take care of each other if the shit hits the fan, but i guess that's a personal decision to be made when that time draws near.

[Kurovski]

62. As a matter of belief, I think he is a good man who knows what we're

up against. Corporations are never kind to those who get in their way. And I'm understating that 1,000 times.

we will have to work harder in terms of getting money out of politics, speaking to reps, speaking clearly to those around us about what the problems are. Money, huge corps are taking the old role royalty and the landed gentry once took over the peons, serf, whatever. it's reverting back to the old ways that our founders seemed to work against, at least in word, eh?

The things that have been passed are not entirely worthless, and Americans--who in reality, and as a majority want everyone to have healthcare--will have to demand that the bill--and others--be expanded. We will have to work and contribute to get people into office who will do these things..


we have to do this through the emotional fog that is created on these topics, the confusion that is created on purpose by those who work for corporations and moneyed interests only.

[treestar]

68. You're blind to the challenge it all involves.

Like observing a doctor operating on a patient who is failing and saying their best is not good enough. In fact, it could be, and maybe bushco did damage that can't be repaired. But whining at the repairer is no help.

[FiveGoodMen]

10. Then you must believe in Santa Claus, as well.

Wake up and smell the blatant betrayal.

[avaistheone1]

13. I can't think of any good reason why Obama isn't up to task to take these issues on.

He is a constitutional scholar after-all, and I assume he took a basic civics class somewhere in his education.

These are serious failures on Obama's part that we should not have to accept.

[howmad1]

43. And let's not forget:;

he's a whiz at three dimensional chess.

[Greyhound]

57. "We: didn't fail to prosecute anything, Clinton quashed the investigation.

I recall him saying something about mistakes of the past and moving forward.

Nice try.

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

6. And I'm supposed to vote to keep this man in office because...???

Sorry, but I'm not a moron OR a fool. And all that "last best hope" happy horseshit doesn't cut it, so don't bother.

[slay]

11. The reason people will tell you is - Well we CAN'T have a Republican win

and i'm calling BULLSHIT on that. Other than a few minor social changes - in what way is he different than the Republicans? He's continued most of Bush's policies and is so corporate he might as well be called CEO Obama instead of president Obama. We know he's the wrong man for the job - will the rest of the Dems figure it out in time to run a primary challenger against him in 2012? I doubt it. :(

[treestar]

69. That's so untrue

Such a shallow understanding of things shown in that post. The Republicans would not be fighting at all and would be going for patriot Act 2 and more shit.

[Bluebear]

16. "He's not President Palin!!11"

:silly:

[Lost4words]

17. self delete

[Radical Activist]

19. From the summary: "President Obama has made great strides in some areas, such as

his auspicious first steps to categorically prohibit torture, outlaw the CIA's use of secret overseas detention sites and release the Bush administration's torture memos..."

There's more to do but what has been done so far is more than happy horseshit.

[sabrina 1]

37. Were the torture memos released? I thought this administration

had backed down on that.

No secret detention centers? Well, I suppose they're not secret, so that makes them okay? Bagram eg? Not secret, true. But a hellhole of torture and human rights abuses.

But worst of all, he has decided that the torturers should not be prosecuted, so until that happens, everything else is really just talk. We DO support torture and torturers.

[Radical Activist]

40. Yes, the memos were released.

There's an ongoing investigation regarding torture. It doesn't get much attention because the press has never covered that story and the left netroots prefer to push the meme of disappointment and betrayal.

Congress is charged with oversight of the Executive Branch and can hold addition hearings or investigations at any time.

[avaistheone1]

46. Who has access to the memos? Does the public?

[Radical Activist]

48. Yes.

http://www.salon.com/news/opinion/glenn_greenwald/radio/2009/04/16/aclu

[LWolf]

7. The ACLU is right. nt

[Mimosa]

14. Damned leftists never loved Obama anyway! LOL n/t

[laconicsax]

18. Looks like the ACLU wants a pony too.

:sarcasm:

[Radical Activist]

20. The ACLU statement is rational.

It names the good things he has done. It names the things that are not getting better. They don't veer off into speculation, reading Obama's mind, or telling us all is lost. We could have much more meaningful debate if the netroots would follow that example.

[MannyGoldstein]

28. What important things have changed significantly?

I see some bones being thrown, but that's it - both in civil liberties and the lives of working Americans.

[Radical Activist]

29. You can read the report at the link above.

The ACLU thinks they're more than bones. But you're kind of a broken record when it comes to Obama, right?

[MannyGoldstein]

31. I think Obama's a broken record when it comes to actual change for the better.

I'm just the messenger.

[Radical Activist]

33. I sooooo knew you were going to respond with that.

But ya know, not EVERYTHING he does must be the total shit you make it out to be. Even the ACLU thinks so. Your opinion about anything Obama does is as predictable as Fox News.

[slay]

49. Because it's true?

Yes he's better than a Republican. And that's about all I can say for the man. (And it aint hard to be better than a republican).

[Radical Activist]

50. He already has more progressive accomplishments than any President since LBJ.

The ACLU statement is good because it has perspective. They don't participate in the hysterics of belittling everything good Obama does while exaggerating every compromise, delay or setback as a total failure. I guess the "piss on everything" approach appeals to certain personality types but I like to celebrate the good things once in a while as I'm pushing for more.

[slay]

51. So you keep saying - and I find that point very sad

cause it is nowhere near enough. His negatives far outweigh the positives he's done. I'm sorry you don't see that he's sold us out - that the Dems in general have sold us out. A win in Obama's book is a win. He goes for quantity of wins, not quality. He has not had one single quality progressive win in my eyes at ALL. I'm sorry, did YOU get universal health care - I didn't. Did you see Bush/Cheney even investigated AT ALL for their crimes? I didn't. Do you approve of escalating a bullshit war for profit paid for with your tax money where people die on a daily basis in Afghanistan? I don't.

Maybe he'll do a 180 before the election, but I doubt it. He's a COMPROMISER - with REPUBLICANS who HATE US - he is NOT a leader. Sorry you don't get that. We'll just have to disagree. Look, you're probably going to get another 4 years of the guy anyways so get used to some criticism. And you'll get plenty more opportunities to pretend how good he's doing then too. If I could take back my vote for him, I would.

Oh and next time DU has the opportunity for nick changes, you might want to change yours. If you were ever "radical" at one point, you most certainly are not now.

[Radical Activist]

52. I'm sorry you had unrealistic expectations about the nature of our Representative government.

Every President who has ever been elected to the office has been a compromiser and anyone who will ever be elected President in the future will be a compromiser. That's how our system is set up. You're welcome to try undoing that system but I can't blame Obama for writing the Constitution.

Actually, I did get something out of the health care bill almost right after it passed (I'm not comfortable writing more about it on a public message board).
We are pulling out of Iraq on schedule.
There is an ongoing investigation regarding torture and I view further hearings as the proper Constitutional role of Congress.

Yes, it's a personality difference. I don't see the fact that we need to do more as a reason to spit on progress that's being made. Many of the radical changes in American history have taken years or decades to finish. Each small victory was part of reaching the goal.
Recognizing victories helps keep people motivated to push for more because it shows that progress is possible. Bitter cynicism kills movements.

Is Pete Seeger radical enough in your book?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ay5POkIV7vI

[slay]

54. It's unrealistic to expect Dems to do the right thing?

I don't care if my cynicism kills the Obama movement cause it's not any kind of real movement anyways - maybe it used to be when he was candidate Obama but those days, as well as the guy I voted for, are long gone. We are going to leave up to 10,000 tax payer paid mercenaries in Iraq for the indefinite future - doesn't sound right to me but whatever. I don't think you have to worry - he'll get elected again I feel sure - but likely without my vote. I'm not going to continue this with you because I feel you are flamebaiting me at this point. If you're not, I apologize, but you know how I feel about things. Goodnight.

Oh - I truly am glad you got something out of the health care bill. So far, I have not.

[nashville_brook]

61. you're obviously a wanter of ponies with all your "expectations" of Dems doing the "right thing"

don't you know that's like so Kennedy Admin? get with the program. these are new dems with new ideas about "right things."

:evilgrin:

[bertman]

66. Thanks, slay. I think you've been nailing it all along. Radical Activist

thinks that incremental change is going to move us back toward the center. It will not. We are so far to the right, it will take major and substantive change to move us. That's what people wanted from President Obama. That's why his approval ratings are going down.

I heard a comment today from Senator Bernie Sanders who said something like: a woman told me that she knew that President Obama had accomplished some good things as President but that it just didn't feel right to her.

I think Senator Sanders, the lady, and many many more of us agree that whatever good things this administration has done, they just don't add up to feeling right.

There's a reason for that.

[area51]

75. +1 (n/t)

[Greyhound]

63. Except of course for Nixon.

But wait a minute, I thought he was better than any President since FDR...
:eyes:

[LAGC]

21. Post this in GD/P and see what the reaction is to it.

I swear, the rose-tinted glasses people wear over there is chilling.

"Obama is perfect! Obama can do no wrong! Best president ever!"

Bleh...

[pmorlan1]

22. Read it and Weep

And I'm supposed to support this?

[Name removed]

23. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[ProSense]

26. Wow

NEW YORK – The Obama administration has repudiated some of the Bush administration's most egregious national security policies but is in danger of institutionalizing others permanently into law, thereby creating a troubling "new normal," according to a new report released today by the American Civil Liberties Union.

<...>

According to the ACLU's report, the first 18 months of Obama's presidency have been marked by a pattern wherein significant achievements for civil liberties have often been followed by setbacks. For instance, the positive step of releasing Justice Department memoranda that purported to authorize the Bush administration's torture regime was followed by the troubling decision to fight the release of photos depicting the abuse of prisoners in CIA custody. The administration's commitment to dismantle Guantánamo has been undermined by its assertion of the authority to detain people indefinitely without charge or trial. And prohibitions against torture have been weakened by the failure to hold top Bush administration officials accountable for their role in the torture program.

All in all, this report amounts to significant progress has been made, but much more is needed. It's going to take a lot to undo the Bush/Republican assault on civil rights, and some of it is going to be complex.

[tom_paine]

34. Those ACLU Liberal Retards should vote Republic Party, then!

:sarcasm:

(sorry, I just loves me some DLC Corporatist misleading talking points!)

[kenny blankenship]

35. If you don't prosecute it you are consolidating it and help it to become stable precedent

President Genius is well aware of the damage he is doing through refusing to uphold his oath of office and enforce the laws, but he is too much of a coward to challenge the policestate Bush and Cheney initiated. Maybe he thinks it will come after him. Maybe he likes it. Either way it's a deal breaker.

[Jefferson23]

36. What is somewhat interesting is the former Bush DOJ are

pleased to see the Obama administration is stressing their "tweaking" as significant because in the end the policies are still being
advanced and validated. They find the tweaks defense amusing, so does the ACLU..they agree, the tweaks are insignificant. Obama has brought
a consensus between the former Bush DOJ and the ACLU, the irony is rich.

[depakid]

38. This will be among the more appalling stains on the Obama legacy

every bit as appalling as the failure to prosecute torturers and corporate criminals.

This alone will put the administration in the lower half, along with the worst of presidencies- and accentuated by the fact that Obama was once an adjunct professor teaching constitutional law.

[katandmoon]

41. K&R

[VMI Dem]

44. The ACLU is obviously not pragmatic.

Or sensible.

[KakistocracyHater]

45. but but but-wait here come the cheerleaders, their mental gymnastics

will make it seem all good....

[slay]

47. It's pretty hard to sugar coat this one

pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty hard. I've seen one or two try unsuccessfully in this thread to spin it that it really means Obama is better than Bush. Um, my DOG is better than Bush so that argument doesn't fly with me one bit. And I don't even have a dog!! :evilgrin:

When in doubt, trust the ACLU.

[Occulus]

53. Yeah, they're NOT showing up on this thread. Wonder why.

I guess that proves two things:

1) Obama is not nearly as progressive as we thought when we elected him

and most importantly

2) FAR too many democrats in policy-making positions are really DLC "new democrat" types whose remedies are, bluntly put, poison to getting our nation back on track.

This is a bad report from a close and credible ally and it must not be ignored.

[slay]

55. Some are

but they have not been able to convince me of their POV - because the facts are he is NOT progressive and he IS a DLC type - good observations. There will come a time when people will realize we need Dems to be more than just slightly better than Republicans. I guess some are not ready to make that step towards electing a truly progressive leader yet - or even acknowledging that Obama is not one.. I voted for fired up, ready to change Washington candidate Obama. I have no idea who this guy we actually got is though. :shrug:

[KakistocracyHater]

71. yeah I notice the lack of 'em here, I guess they can't take this reality

eh?

[democrank]

56. K & R

"Change: It`s the new Same"

[Uncle Joe]

58. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, kpete.

[okieinpain]

59. yet according to rush, hannity, palin, and the other right special

needs people he's having secret meetings with the Taliban so he can disable all of that stuff. I'm confused which one is it.

[mzmolly]

60. From the article: "It is not too late for Pres. Obama to build a legacy of justice and fairness."

He does have 2.5 years remaining in his first term.

[Odin2005]

64. Those "fucking retarded" civil libertarians need to quit asking for ponies!

:sarcasm:

[treestar]

67. Court cases take forever

The best way is to have them wend their way up through the courts and be declared unconstitutional. Otherwise they can just be enacted again.

And Republicans would work hard to keep it as normal by not challenging them at all.

[Divine Discontent]

70. ho hum... but they get an A or B grade from half the users on here when I post 'grade' polls.

The other half mostly grade the Admin. a D or failing. That "D" is closer to where they're at overall. They're a strange admin, on one hand they clearly appear progressive, but on others, they have the same policies as the previous admin that shat over the constitution. :(

[sulphurdunn]

73. What would be comical

were it not so tragic is that even after the suspension of habeas corpus by the legislature, the usurpation of war making powers by the executive, the financial sector coup d'etat, and the auctioning off of the First Amendment to the highest bidder by the judiciary, people either cling to the quaint notion that they possess unalienable rights or believe they can peacefully petition the government through the political process to get them back. :smoke:

[Solly Mack]

74. ...

[upi402]

77. Card carrying member checking in

:patriot:
Donate to them and I donate to a thousand good causes at one time.