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Alberto Gonzales: Hasn't Thought About Habeas


This is really rich. Via Think Progress:

At today’s House Judiciary Committee hearing, Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA) asked Attorney General Alberto Gonzales whether any U.S. citizens are “being held today, for over a month, who have been denied habeas corpus or access to an attorney.” Instead of giving an answer, Gonzales replied, “[Y]ou’re asking me a question I hadn’t really thought about.”

Sherman then followed up and asked whether there any “U.S. citizens being held now by foreign governments or foreign organizations, without access to attorneys, as a result of rendition.” Gonzales again said, “It’s just — quite frankly, I hadn’t thought about this.”

TP has the video. Also, the ACLU is staying positive in the habeas reform battle. Mark your calendars now for June 26:

More...

Received by e-mail today:

The ACLU remains undeterred in its perseverance to persuade the 110th Congress to restore habeas. Over the next couple of months, there will be more opportunities to restore habeas corpus and the ACLU is fully committed to that goal. The majority of Americans join us in support of this issue.

The ACLU will take this fight straight to Capitol Hill on June 26 and is urging thousands of activists from all over the United States to descend upon Washington, D.C. for a Day of Action to Restore Law and Justice. Joined by Amnesty International, the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights and the National Religious Campaign Against Torture, they will deliver a message directly to Congress to demand that they restore habeas corpus, end torture and ensure fundamental liberties. The Day of Action highlights the loss of fundamental rights and freedoms over the last six years, particularly the constitutionally protected due process rights stripped by the Military Commissions Act.

"While we would have liked the Armed Services Committee to have given habeas restoration a quick and early push, Chairman Skelton and the House leadership are clear that they will get it done, The Bush administration has trampled the Constitution and abandoned American values and the rule of law - and so far Congress has failed to act," said Chris Anders, ACLU Senior Legislative Counsel.

"But all Americans are going to have to join in this effort to restore the Constitution and the American values that were abandoned last fall when the Military Commissions Act was passed. The June 26 day of action will be a great opportunity to show the breadth of support for habeas and the Constitution."

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  • Display: Sort:
    Acting stupid (5.00 / 2) (#6)
    by Al on Fri May 11, 2007 at 01:55:01 PM EST
    is an extreme form of mockery. This man is not only actively sabotaging human rights, he's mocking them as well, and by extension, all civilized people who believe in human rights. He should not be allowed to get away with this. His stupid act is not funny; it's totally unfunny.

    Yes. (none / 0) (#7)
    by Edger on Fri May 11, 2007 at 02:08:28 PM EST
    Ken Salazar's friend (none / 0) (#1)
    by Zappatero on Thu May 10, 2007 at 08:52:54 PM EST
    I wonder how long Ken Salazar will support his friend Alberto Gonzales under these circumstances?

    Gonzo fatigue & the incompetency defense. (none / 0) (#2)
    by Edger on Thu May 10, 2007 at 09:30:30 PM EST
    Every time Gonzales testifies now he does the stupid act. Stupider each time, and so ridiculous it's laughable. It's getting to the point of him painting himself as someone so incompetent the idea of him having enough on the ball to form intent to be as corrupt as he obviously is becomes questionable.

    Is it working for him? He's still on the job.

    In the transcript at TP twice Sherman lets Gonzo off the hook, almost like he's treating Gonzo like an idiot child worthy of pity and excusing, with variations 'let's move on' and once with "I look forward to a definitive answer for the record".

    I only read the transcript there - the video wouldn't load. If anyone's watched it, am I misreading Sherman's manner?

    I heard the audio live (none / 0) (#3)
    by janinsanfran on Fri May 11, 2007 at 12:47:08 AM EST
    I think you got it right as I remember the exchange.

    Parent
    Thanks n/t (none / 0) (#4)
    by Edger on Fri May 11, 2007 at 07:53:54 AM EST
    Habeas..... (none / 0) (#5)
    by kdog on Fri May 11, 2007 at 09:37:27 AM EST
    is a four letter word to the wanna-be tyrants in charge.