Quote:
Originally Posted by valo403
You provide quite possibly the best example I could have asked for. A case that denied rights at a lower level, and was reversed by the Supreme Court. I couldn't have asked for a better demonstration of the protections inherent in the structure of the US judicial arm. Better yet, you chose a case that was far from a slam dunk in either direction and insinuated that the tribunals decision could only have been possible due to executive influence. The Supreme Court was highly divided on Hamdan, even the majority didn't fully agree on its reasoning, and legal scholars continue to be highly divided on a number of the issues at play. Are they all on the take too? All under pressure from the executive branch? I should also point out that the Justice that was apparently influenced to make a certain decision at a lower level recused himself from the Supreme Court case.
And let's not pretend your argument is a simple "the US system is not without flaws". The statement I responded to was your assertion that the government simply gets to label Assange as a journalist or non-journalist as they see fit, which is 100% inaccurate. I have never argued that the US system is infalliable, all systems have weaknesses and the potential to be corrupted. I've simply rebutted the incredibly thorough argument you've presented ("there are ways") and asked you to actually demonstrate or support your claim. The Supreme Court may well come to a decision on the First Amendment issues at play here that runs counter to your belief, but unless you've got more than "there are ways" your argument that it's due to corruption is pretty hollow.
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Ok, well how about the El-Masri case?
http://harpers.org/archive/2010/11/hbc-90007831
When he tries to sue the US government, they claim "state secrets" and then dismiss the case. Absolutely repugnant; demonstrates that they have no accountability and are corrupt.
Here's an op-ed from El-Masri himself who's account seems to be a very accurate portrayal of what happens when the CIA goes wrong.
http://www.latimes.com/news/printedi...,3766980.story
The bottom line is don't be surprised to see the US government label Assange however they want to suppress him.