AlterNet.org: Rights and Liberties

How Scores of Black Men Were Tortured Into Giving False Confessions by Chicago Police

Jessica Pupovac, AlterNet — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:00:01 PDT

More than 20 years after being tortured into giving confessions by Chicago police officers, dozens of black men remain behind bars.

ACLU Sues to Reverse Alabama Ex-Felon Disenfranchisement

The American Civil Liberties Union — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 10:00:01 PDT

At issue is the Alabama attorney general's list of crimes that prevent former offenders from voting.

News You Might Have Missed: Court Confirms President's Dictatorial Powers

Andy Worthington, Andy Worthington's Blog — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 08:00:01 PDT

A 5 to 4 ruling in the case of Ali Saleh Kahlah al-Marri legitimizes the president's right to indefinitely imprison "enemy combatants."

"There is No Such Thing as Justice Here": Hamdan Trial Begins

Leonard Doyle, Independent UK — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 12:00:01 PDT

Salim Hamdan, the suicidal and delusional prisoner who was once a chauffeur for Osama bin Laden, is being tried by Military Tribunal.

Nine Reasons to Investigate War Crimes Now

Jeremy Brecher, Brendan Smith, The Nation — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 15:00:01 PDT

Why we can't let the Bush Administration get away with its crimes.

Md. Police Infiltrated Groups Opposed to War and the Death Penalty

Matthew Rothschild, The Progressive — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 12:00:01 PDT

The ACLU reports that agents spent 288 hours monitoring private organizing meetings, public gatherings and events held in several churches.

Why Karl Rove Should Go to Jail

Rep. Linda T. Sanchez, Huffington Post — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 16:00:01 PDT

Karl Rove ignored a Congressional subpoena last week, leaving the country rather than testify under oath. Enough is enough.

The Dark Side: Jane Mayer on How the War on Terror Turned into a War on American Ideals

Eric Umansky, ProPublica — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 00:00:01 PDT

The investigative reporter who connected the dots on detention, rendition and torture, discusses her new book, The Dark Side.

"Screwed Up" and "Abused": The Interrogation of 16-Year-Old Omar Khadr

Andy Worthington, Andy Worthington's Blog — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 09:00:01 PDT

A closer look at the first GuantÃ¡namo interrogation to be released on video reveals, above all, a "victimized and exploited" child.

"We're Going to Be Paying For This For a While": Soldiers Bring the War Home

Jill Carroll, Christian Science Monitor — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 00:00:01 PDT

When veterans of wars in Iraq and Afghanistan bring their troubles home, police and judges often are the first to deal with them.

First GuantÃ¡namo Interrogation Video Released: Prisoner Moans 'Kill Me'

Suzanne Goldenberg, The Guardian — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 00:00:01 PDT

Footage showing interrogation at detention camp released by Canadian teenager's lawyers.

Immigrant Students Face Harrassment, Racial Profiling on Campus

Edwin Okong'o, New American Media — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 07:00:01 PDT

Going through legal channels to study in America doesn't protect young people from racism.

The Mess in Sudan and Zimbabwe

Robert Dreyfuss, The Nation — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 05:00:01 PDT

With the world suspicious of American motives in world crises, U.S. policy toward Sudan and Zimbabwe is raising hackles.

U.S. Mercenary Company Implicated in Mexican Torture Videos

Laura Carlsen, Huffington Post — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 09:00:01 PDT

Videos depicting torture-training sessions with Mexican police raise alarm over human rights under Calderon's US-assisted war on crime.

Worries About War Crimes Heat up in the White House

Frank Rich, The New York Times — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 00:00:01 PDT

Top Bush hands are starting to get sweaty about where they left their fingerprints on U.S. torture policies.

The Translator's Perspective: an Inside Account of the Biggest ICE Raid in History

Erik Camayd-Freixas, New America Media — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 00:00:01 PDT

An interpreter struggles with his conscience after a massive immigration raid in Iowa.

FISA Bill's Real Target: What Remains of Our Open Society

Chris Hedges, LA Times — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 00:00:01 PDT

The new FISA law uses terrorism as a pretext to permit wholesale spying and would seriously cripple our free press.

Karl Rove a No-Show at Judiciary Committee Hearing

Rep. John Conyers, Jr., Huffington Post — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 08:00:01 PDT

Ignoring a subpoena to testify about the politicization of the Justice Department, Karl Rove reiterates his belief that he is above the law.

For an Easy, Unequivocal Message to Obama on FISA, Use Your Wallet

Bob Ostertag, Huffington Post — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 10:00:01 PDT

Want to put Obama's feet to the fire? Donate to a Senator who has been a true leader on the issue: Russ Feingold.

Bush's Secret Army of Snoops and Snitches

Matthew Rothschild, The Progressive — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 00:00:01 PDT

A new class of everyday spies, from paramedics to utility workers, are being recruited to be "terrorism liason officers."