State Secrets: Same Game Different Name

I suppose it makes no difference who's sitting in the Oval Office, it's the office that reigns, not the man. After much talk of change jangling in the air, that talk has slowly dissipated into a hushed trickle seeping its way back into the warmest and furthest pockets of our atmosphere.

Take note: United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, Binyam Mohamed and four other detainees sued a subsidiary of Boeing for arranging flights for the Bush administration’s “extraordinary rendition” program.

The descriptions filed in court regarding the treatment under extraordinary rendition:

Mr. Mohamed claimed that during his detention in Morocco, “he was routinely beaten, suffering broken bones and, on occasion, loss of consciousness. His clothes were cut off with a scalpel and the same scalpel was then used to make incisions on his body, including his penis. A hot stinging liquid was then poured into open wounds on his penis where he had been cut. He was frequently threatened with rape, electrocution and death.”

Bush Govt' Argument: This case must be dismissed because discussing these matters in court will breach national security and cause harm to relations with other countries (apparently relations which even President Bush himself was unable to unravel).

Obama Gov't Argument: The same.

The exchange in court between the judge and the Justice Dept attorney:

“Is there anything material that has happened” that might have caused the Justice Department to shift its views, asked Judge Mary M. Schroeder, an appointee of President Jimmy Carter, coyly referring to the recent election.

“No, your honor,” Mr. Letter replied.

Judge Schroeder asked, “The change in administration has no bearing?”

Once more, he said, “No, Your Honor."

We are meant to trust them - that they will use the state secrets privilege "more sparingly." We are meant to believe that there are better places to discuss matters which affect the state than in open court, and certainly not in congress. Perhaps the only place to safe enough to discuss anything which affects our lives should be behind closed doors at the White House and as far from the ears of the unruly masses as manageable.

You see, just because we vote for them doesn't mean they work for us or anything. So don't get upset pals, don't let it get you down - it doesn't concern you and was never your business anyway. There are other things to think about: there are sales going on, Circuit City is going down, the new Kindle is out, there's talk of a $99 iPhone! You feel better now?

References:
Obama Backs Off a Reversal on Secrets - NYT, John Schwartz, February 9, 2009