The brilliance and necessity of Julian Assange’s Wikileaks

Since Bob Morris has pointed out that even some who are typically rebellious in their rhetoric are condemning Julian Assange, I think it’s worth pointing out how historically important Assange (and Wikileaks, of course) could be.  With the caveat that we have all yet to see the effects of what Wikileaks is doing, he has the potential [...]

EU nations ‘knew of CIA prisons’

The countries knew about the prisons operating on European soil, “co-operated actively or passively” with the CIA, then lied about it and tried to cover it up, says the draft of a report to the European Parliament.

The countries include Britain, Poland, Italy, Germany, Sweden, Austria, Ireland, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, and possibly Poland. How [...]

Rumsfeld okayed torture says former U.S. general

The ruling class is attacking itself. Pass the popcorn, please.

Meanwhile, the war crimes lawsuit against Rumsfeld continues in Germany.

Sounds like his mojo has about run out. Dubya and Cheney must be getting a bit nervous by all this.

The Brooklyn Abu Ghraib

9/11 torture lawsuit heads to federal court

One disturbing incident, repeated over and over, is particularly haunting — inmates head-slammed into a wall where the staff had taped a T-shirt with an American flag printed on it. The motto on the shirt proclaimed: “These colors don’t run.” In time, that spot on the wall was [...]

German ministers ‘knew about CIA torture cells’

This is huge. Stern magazine has documents that show 1) the existence of secret U.S. prisons in Europe, 2) that torture was used, and 3) that German ministers knew.

CIA tried to silence EU on torture flights

And may have at least partially succeeded in doing so.

Stephen Grey’s new book, Ghost Plane, the true story of the CIA torture program, has more on the Bushies’ torturing for democracy.

PS Cheney: “detainees” were water-boarded.

What waterboarding looks like

This is what the neocons are defending as ‘not torture.’

As predicted, the Democrats didn’t put up much of a fight. They are too complicit for that. This is torture we’re talking about. It should be opposed totally and completely. If the Dems really want to convince they are opposed to torture, then they should [...]

CIA ‘refused to operate’ secret jails

Even that band of thugs and murderers called the CIA (well, what do you think the CIA does?) is now refusing to obey Bush. Not that they’re bothered by any ethical consideration. Hey, if they were, they wouldn’t have tortured in the past, right? Their quite justifiable concern is they now may get the sorry [...]

Britain warns US over torture bill

Britain’s Attorney-General said the US trying to ignore the Geneva Conventions “risked international condemnation.”

Now, even ranking members of the British government can no longer stomach Dubya – except for the poodle, who continues to yelp excitedly whenever his master calls for more torture.

But then, the poodle won’t be in office much longer anyway.

[...]

Republicans split on torture

The chameleon, Colin Powell, is now opposing the Grand Inquisitor plans of Bush to allow more torture and have those doing it be exempt from prosecution. While it’s always nice to see serious schisms emerge among Republicans, Powell has always reminded me of the Dylan lyric “You just want to be on the side that’s [...]