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RedditOn June 17 a panel of the US Court of Appeals in Washington ruled 2 to 1 to allow the Justice Department to keep secret the names of hundreds of foreigners detained--sometimes for months--by federal authorities after the September 11 attacks. Last August a federal judge ruled in favor of a Freedom of Information lawsuit requesting the names, filed by the Center for National Security Studies, The Nation and other public interest groups. And in early June the Justice Department's Inspector General released a highly critical report noting that the detentions had been plagued with "significant problems," including possible abuse of the detainees. The appeals court majority, however, said that federal judges should defer to the Administration's argument that revealing the detainees' identities might compromise national security. In a blistering dissent, Judge David Tatel wrote, "Just as the government has a compelling interest in ensuring citizens' safety, so do citizens have a compelling interest in ensuring that their government does not...abuse one of its most awesome powers, the power to arrest and jail." The Center plans to pursue the case.
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Arms and the Right
Daniel Lazare: Two books dissect the contentious, confusing debate over gun control and the frequently misinterpreted Second Amendment.
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Unlawful Influence at Gitmo
Ross Tuttle: Lieut. Cmdr. Brian Mizer has filed a motion to dismiss charges against Salim Hamdan, in light of new evidence documenting the improper involvement of political appointees.
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Pentagon General Counsel Resigns
Ross Tuttle: As criticism over his support for torture and his interference in the Gitmo trials escalates, William J. Haynes steps down.
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The Voter ID Fraud
Garrett Epps: The conservatives ensconced on the Supreme Court are set to uphold draconian ID requirements on voters that will redefine electoral politics in America.
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Setting the Record Straight on FISA
John Conyers: Civil liberties and national security are not contradictory: they are inextricably linked.
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Taking Power
Jonathan Schell: America is sleepwalking into one-man rule. What can the Democrats do about it?
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Reaganites Reconsider
Charlie Savage: Even staunch conservatives are becoming alarmed at the Bush Administration's unconstitutional expansion of presidential powers.
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Stargazing in Kabul
Ten days in the life and struggles of a young Afghan woman.
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Invincible: Opportunity in Crisis
The Detroit rapper reflects on her music, activism and inspirations.
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War on Error: Real Stories of American Muslims
Who are the Muslims in our midst?
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Free Association: Unquotable Words
A new Associated Press policy says you're at risk if you quote their work or diss them. How are young bloggers and writers reacting?
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Quieting the Riot
Should police use force to break up student gatherings?
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Getting Out the (Rest of the) Youth Vote
It's been an unprecedented year for young voters, but the battle isn't over yet. How can we make sure that all youth, in and out of college, can vote in November?
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Idle Hands: Why The Candidates Must Focus on America's Youth
In recent years, the youth jobless rate has soared to record highs.
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