April 2009
95 posts
Latest News on RebelReports:
Mass Arrests at White House: More than 60 people were arrested at the White House in an anti-torture protest on President Obama’s 100th day in office. Watch the short (2 minute) video or long (8 minute) video. See 100 Days Campaign for more details.
**MUST READ: New UN Report Shows the US Combo of Torture and Impunity Thrives in Iraqi Prisons: Iraqi authorities widely use torture to...
“The rule of law is not just a lofty concept to which we should aspire only when...”
– Sen. Robert Byrd (D-WV)
New UN Report Shows the US Combo of Torture and...
Iraqi authorities widely use torture to interrogate prisoners and extract confessions without fear of consequence. Sadly, the US doesn’t have the credibility to confront these crimes. By Jeremy Scahill Part of the deadly serious problem with the Obama administration’s position on (not) holding accountable CIA torturers, their lawyers and the Bush administration officials who...
British "Withdrawal" From Iraq is a Microcosm of...
Britain says it’s ending “combat operations” in Iraq. But, taking a cue from Washington, London is escalating its neoliberal economic efforts and military training. Old wine, new bottle.
By Jeremy Scahill
The British “withdrawal” from Basra, Iraq is, in a way, a microcosm of Obama’s overall Iraq approach of downsizing and rebranding the occupation. While the...
Col. Ann Wright on Jay Bybee and the Death of U.S....
Alyssa Peterson is dead for saying no to torture. Bybee, who said yes to torture, is a federal judge with a lifetime appointment
By Jeremy Scahill
Col. Ann Wright, the courageous former Army officer and US diplomat who resigned in protest of the Bush administration’s wars has written an important story looking at two Mormons, Jay Bybee, author of one of the recently declassified torture...
WatchThe Daily Show Explains the Jane Harman/AIPAC/Israel Spying Scandal Better Than Most Corporate Media Outlets.
Spain Launches Wide-Ranging Criminal Investigation...
Spain is doing what should be done in the US: Treating these severe crimes as crimes. Human rights lawyers say Obama should follow suit.
By Jeremy Scahill
Despite rhetoric coming from the White House that Americans should look “forward not backwards” when it comes to pursuing those responsible for torture, Spain doesn’t seem to be listening. Judge Balthazar Garzon, who has...
Time Magazine's "Reporting" on Pakistan Drone...
Time pushes a Pentagon story about the Taliban’s “human shields,” but doesn’t mention the hundreds of civilian deaths caused by US attacks.
By Jeremy Scahill
A new report in Time magazine on the US attack drone bombing campaign against Pakistan would not read any different if it was an official press release from the Pentagon. The report, “The Taliban’s...
Anti-Torture Activists to Commit Civil...
Demand Prosecution of U.S. Torture and Release of Innocent Detainees
This just in from the 100 Days Campaign:
On April 30th, hundreds of human rights activists will gather near the White House to call on the Obama administration to support a criminal inquiry into torture under the Bush administration and to fully break with past detention policies.
At a rally at Lafayette Park at 11:15 am,...
In Letter to AG Holder, Conyers and Nadler...
“We must investigate and demand accountability for acts of torture committed by or on our behalf,” they wrote.
By Jeremy Scahill
Today, Rep. John Conyers (D-MI), chair of the House Judiciary Committee, and Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), who chairs the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, wrote to Attorney General Eric Holder officially requesting the...
What if Instead of the Nuremberg Trials There Was...
As some liberals make the case against a Special Prosecutor, the lawyers who fought for the release of the torture memos push back and explain why prosecutions are the only response.
By Jeremy Scahill
Representatives John Conyers and Jerrold Nadler are officially asking Attorney General Eric Holder to appoint an independent Special Prosecutor “to investigate and, where appropriate,...
22 Arrested at Blackwater's Illinois Compound
More people have been arrested for protesting on Blackwater property than mercenaries who have killed innocent Iraqis
By Jeremy Scahill
Twenty-two people were arrested yesterday at the Blackwater/Xe compound in Jo Daviess County Illinois as they carried out a nonviolent direct action against a company at the center of some of the worst violence in Iraq. They were part of a larger group of...
Crewmember on the US Ship Taken by Pirates...
The chief engineer of the Maersk Alabama says some of the stories widely disseminated in the media are false.
By Jeremy Scahill
One of the crew members of the now famous Maersk Alabama, the ship at the center of this month’s “Somali pirate” drama, is doing a little speaking out of school. He is directly contradicting some of the media and US government hype about what exactly...
Latest News from RebelReports:
Obama’s Iraq: The Picture of Dorian Gray: While the US tries to present a new face, the ugliness of the occupation continues. Now it seems combat troops won’t exactly withdraw from Iraqi cities on June 30.
Did Obama’s Chosen Mercenary Firm Fire a Manager for Speaking to Congressional Investigators?: Congress is investigating Triple Canopy and another company over reports that they...
Obama's Iraq: The Picture of Dorian Gray
While the US tries to present a new face, the ugliness of the occupation continues. Now it seems combat troops won’t exactly withdraw from Iraqi cities on June 30.
By Jeremy Scahill
Remember when Barack Obama made that big announcement at Camp Lejeune about how all US combat troops were going to be withdrawn from Iraqi cities by June 30? Liberals jumped around with joy, praising Obama...
Did Obama's Chosen Mercenary Firm Fire a Manager...
Congress is investigating Triple Canopy and another company over reports that they aren’t adequately protecting US military bases in Iraq.
By Jeremy Scahill
The Obama administration continues to pay billions of dollars to mercenary firms to operate in Iraq, Afghanistan, Colombia, Israel/Palestine and elsewhere. While Blackwater’s mega-contract in Baghdad was not renewed this year,...
Activists Serve Blackwater With 'Statement of...
Activists march on Blackwater’s Illinois facility, saying no matter how many times it changes its name, Blackwater can’t hide from its bloody history or its lawlessness.
By Jeremy Scahill
This weekend, I addressed a conference on Blackwater/Xe and other private armies in Stockton, Illinois, about 2 hours west of Chicago, where Blackwater has established a facility in Jo Daviess...
Former Intelligence Committee Chair on Torture...
Former CIA Director Porter Goss should be investigated for his role in the torture scandal, but he still makes an important point about the role of some Democrats
By Jeremy Scahill
It has been known for years that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senator Jay Rockefeller and other leading Democrats were briefed on the US torture program in real time in 2002. This may be one reason why the Democrats...
Latest Stories on RebelReports:
Are leading Democrats Afraid of a Special Prosecutor to Investigate Torture?: Congress was briefed in real time on the Bush-era torture tactics. Is that why some Democrats prefer whitewash commissions and closed-door hearings?
U.S. Cities Increasing Use of Armed Mercenaries to Replace Police: There are now some 2 million private forces deployed inside America. This number is growing in cities...
Are leading Democrats Afraid of a Special...
Congress was briefed in real time on the Bush-era torture tactics. Is that why some Democrats prefer whitewash commissions and closed-door hearings?
By Jeremy Scahill
There are not exactly throngs of Democratic Congressmembers beating down the doors of the Justice Department demanding that Attorney General Eric Holder appoint a special Independent Prosecutor to investigate torture and other...
"Worse than Gitmo:" ACLU Asks for Documents on...
The Obama administration argues that the prisoners at Bagram—some who have been there 6 years—do not have habeas corpus rights. That’s not looking backwards. It is current policy.
By Jeremy Scahill
As the Obama administration faces mounting pressure to appoint an independent special prosecutor to investigate torture and other crimes ordered by senior Bush administration...
Jay Bybee's Rules at Home: "Be Nice. Don't Hit."...
Bybee seems to be against corporal punishment, but has no problem with slamming prisoners against walls, locking people in boxes and simulating drowning.
By Jeremy Scahill
Jay Bybee authored one of the most chilling of the four Bush-era torture memos declassified last week by the Obama administration. Bybee signed the August 2002 memo in his capacity as a Deputy Attorney General working in the...
“[T]he reason there’s been problems in the world is because of U.S....”
– —Vice President Dick Cheney, speaking on Fox News April 22, 2009.
Note: The quote is taken out of context and provided for entertainment value. Cheney said this is Obama’s view and that he disagrees. We just thought it was cool that Cheney actually said this in succession.
UPDATED: US Cities Increasing Use of Armed...
There are more than 2 million “private security” officers and guards deployed in America and this number is growing by the day in Oakland and other cities.
By Jeremy Scahill The United States is in the midst of the most radical privatization agenda in its history. We see this in schools, health care, prisons, and certainly with the US military/national security/intelligence apparatus. There...
Latest Stories on RebelReports:
US Cities Increasing Use of Armed Mercenaries to Replace Police: There are more than 2 million “private security” officers and guards on the streets of America and this number is growing by the day in Oakland and other cities.
A Closer Look at Obama’s “New” Position on Torture Prosecutions: As the Senate releases a new report showing top down orders for torture, the Obama...
"Senator" John Kerry Wouldn't Have Invited His...
John Kerry has not invited anti-war veterans group, IVAW, to testify in his hearings on Afghanistan.
By Jeremy Scahill
It was 38 years ago today that John Kerry sat before the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee and exposed, in graphic details, war crimes committed by the US in Vietnam, famously saying, “How do you ask a man to be the last man to die for a mistake?” If he were...
US Cities Increasing Use of Armed Mercenaries to...
There are more than 2 million “private security” officers and guards on the streets of America and this number is growing by the day in Oakland and other cities.
By Jeremy Scahill The United States is in the midst of the most radical privatization agenda in its history. We see this in schools, health care, prisons, and certainly with the US military/national security/intelligence...
Somali Pirate "Ringleader" Facing Life in Prison...
The Somali teenager accused of being the “ringleader” of the pirates who held a US captain hostage may be as young as 15 years old. Doesn’t he have some rights?
By Jeremy Scahill
Federal prosecutors in New York are moving forward with the first US prosecution in a century of a “pirate.” The accused is Abdiwali Abdiqadir Muse. Prosecutors say the 5’2 Somali...
A Closer Look at Obama's "New" Position on Torture...
As the Senate releases a new report showing top down orders for torture, the Obama Administration faces increased calls for prosecutions. Will Obama allow it or will there be a bipartisan whitewash commission?
By Jeremy Scahill
The big news today is that the Senate Armed Services Committee has released a declassified report on the treatment of detainees in US custody. (Download the full report...
Obama Campaign's Multi-Million Dollar Propaganda...
With Iraq in ruins, Obama sends a politically connected firm, along with reps from AT&T, Google, and Twitter to build ‘smart power’ in Baghdad.
By Jeremy Scahill
The U.S. State Department has announced it is sponsoring a “New Media Technology” delegation to Iraq to “explore new opportunities to support Iraqi government and non-government stakeholders in...
Former US Ambassador Condemns US Drone Attacks...
A former US ambassador said the US drone attacks are “probably” creating “more terrorists.”
By Jeremy Scahill
A day after the latest US drone attack against Pakistan, a former US ambassador to that country has blasted the attacks, saying “they’re alienating the tribesmen we need to win the war.” The remarks were made by Ambassador Robert Oakley, who was ambassador from...
Update: Today's Stories on RebelReports:
BOMBSHELL: Rep. Jane Harman Caught on Tape Agreeing to Lobby for Alleged AIPAC/Israel Spies? Harman was allegedly caught on tape saying she would “waddle into” the AIPAC case in return for support from the Israeli lobby for her bid to become chair of the Intelligence Committee.
The Radio ‘Führer’ G Gordon Liddy’s Sexist Attack on Joan Walsh of Salon Liddy says Walsh’s anger over...
After "Year of Record Profit," Halliburton...
By Jeremy Scahill
Aw, sad news for the poor little war profiteers from Dick Cheney’s “former” company. The Wall Street Journal is reporting, “Halliburton Co.’s first-quarter net income fell 35% amid a steep downturn in North American drilling activity and lower prices.” The paper dryly notes, “The oil-field services company is coming off a year of...
The Radio 'Führer' G Gordon Liddy's Sexist Attack...
Liddy says Walsh’s anger over torture memos is because it’s “probably that time of the month.” Beyond the sexism, though, Liddy’s radio show reveals what an imbecile he really is.
By Jeremy Scahill
Right-wing radio host G Gordon Liddy of Watergate fame, who once advised people to “Go for a head shot” when shooting at agents from the Bureau of Alcohol...
BOMBSHELL: Rep. Jane Harman Caught on Tape...
Harman was allegedly caught on tape saying she would “waddle into” the AIPAC case in return for support from the Israeli lobby for her bid to become chair of the Intelligence Committee
By Jeremy Scahill
This is a huge story: Representative Jane Harman, a hawkish, influential “Blue Dog” Democrat “was overheard on an NSA wiretap telling a suspected Israeli agent that she would...
Momentum Gains in Movement to Impeach Bush Torture...
While the leadership of the Democratic Party remains silent on Obama’s refusal to hold torturers accountable, activists are demanding a special prosecutor and calling on Congress to impeach Jay Bybee.
By Jeremy Scahill
In the Sunday New York Times, the paper’s editors call for the impeachment of Judge Jay Bybee, author of one of the now infamous torture memos released last week....
US Bombs Pakistan. . . Again
As many as eight people have been killed in another US drone attack in pakistan. The US has reportedly killed more than 700 people in these attacks since 2006. Most are civilians— 2% of the dead were allegedly “al Qaeda”
By Jeremy Scahill
The US has continued its bombing campaign inside of Pakistan with another drone attack in the Waziristan region. There are conflicting...
Cuba Defeated a US Invasion 48 Years Ago This...
48 years ago this weekend, the small island nation of Cuba fought back an invasion by a paramilitary force backed by the world’s most powerful military at Playa Giron, aka the Bay of Pigs.
UN Rapporteur on Torture to Obama: Refusal to...
The UN statement comes at the end of a week that can only be described as a victory for torturers
By Jeremy Scahill
Just two days after President Obama publicly announced he would not seek prosecution of CIA torturers because they had “in good faith” obeyed the orders of the Bush administration in their torture of other human beings, the UN is weighing in. The world body’s...
This is Change I Actually Do Believe In
I know, I know…there is all sorts of wrong going on with Obama’s foreign policy in Latin America, which we will discuss in plenty of detail at RebelReports, but that picture is priceless. Here is a bit of context:
Barack Obama walked across a hotel ballroom… and introduced himself to Chavez. The two leaders smiled and shook hands, chatting briefly. Chavez’s office later...
New Bush Torture Bombshell Memos: 10 Horrifying... →
For those of you who do not have time to read through all four torture memos, AlterNet has compiled some brief excerpts describing the torture “techniques” that were given the legal greenlight by Bush’s lawyers.
Full Liliana Segura’s story here.
Some RebelReports Links on the Torture Memos and...
Read my essay A Dark Day for Justice
Download the four torture memos here.
Read President Obama’s Complete Statement on Release of Bush-era Torture Memos
Read my report It’s Official: Obama Will Not Prosecute CIA Torturers
Read David Cole vs. Former Bush Advisor on Torture Memos
Read the Center for Constitutional Rights statement on Obama’s Refusal to Prosecute CIA...
David Cole vs. Former Bush Advisor on Torture...
“Prosecution would be dangerous,” the former Bushie says. Yes it would be—for the guilty.
By Jeremy Scahill
David Cole, the tenacious human rights lawyer and constitutional law scholar who has represented Maher Arar and other victims of the US torture complex has weighed in on the release of the Bush torture memos. In a short essay for The New York Times, Cole wrote the...
“The details made public in these memos paint a horrifying picture and reveal how...”
– Senator Russ Feingold
A Dark Day for Justice
By Jeremy Scahill Reading through the torture memos today, it is important not to be numb to the fact that what we are reading are the cold, merciless legal justifications for atrocious acts committed against other human beings. The banging of prisoners’ heads into walls, the simulated drowning, the placing of human beings inside of small boxes—these were all acts done in our name. ...
CCR Blasts Obama for Refusal to Prosecute CIA...
This statement just in from the Center for Constitutional Rights:
“It is one of the deepest disappointments of this administration that it appears unwilling to uphold the law where crimes have been committed by former officials. Whether or not CIA operatives who conducted waterboarding are guaranteed immunity, it is the high level officials who conceived, justified and ordered the torture...
UPDATE: It's Official: Obama Will Not Prosecute...
Obama strikes a deal with CIA torturers not to prosecute them. This is a victory for Bush’s lawyers who justified torture.
By Jeremy Scahill The White House has announced that CIA operatives, including contractors, who followed Bush guidelines for torturing prisoners will not be prosecuted for these actions, regardless of the Obama administration’s position on the legality of the...