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Keep America Safe Ad Calls Gitmo Defence Lawyers 'Al Qaeda Seven'

by Karen Hatter | March 5, 2010 at 08:30 am

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The president of the American Bar Association (ABA), Carolyn Lamm, has called an ad posted on the internet by the organization Keep America Safe, founded by the daughter of former Vice President Richard 'Dick' Cheney, Liz Cheney, " a divisive and diversionary tactic."

Lamm, in a statement given to Talking Points Memo, states that in America's justice system, everyone is entitled to legal representation, noting that the representation of clients is based upon committment to the legal system.

"...representing a client is a commitment to a legal system that requires justice, not to any one client's political, economic, social or moral views or activities. Impugning the character of lawyers who have sought to protect the fundamental rights of unpopular clients is a divisive and diversionary tactic."

The ad refers to lawyers that represented prisoners held at Guantanamo Bay Prison in Cuba. The ad poses the question, "Whose values do they share?" as a photo of Osama bin Laden is displayed.

Liz Cheney has been a very vocal supporter of her father, Dick Cheney, and the Bush administration's policies and the use of 'enhanced interrogation techniques' others have called torture.

At the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) held in Washington D.C. in February 2010, where Liz Cheney introduced the surprise guest speaker, her father, she stated she felt America was less safe without the option of the using enhanced interrogation techniques to fight terrorism.

In an interview with The Washington Times, Ms. Cheney states the internet ad does not question anyone's loyality.

Meanwhile, the ad has been denounced by the American Bar Association, a former adviser to Condi Rice, and a former Bush DOJ. It's also worth noting that other lawyers who have represented detainees include a member of Rudy Giuliani's firm and at least three lawyers hired by the Bush Administration.

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YankeeJim

at 10:14 on March 5th, 2010

Really, it is time to levy charges against Dick Cheney for crimes against humanity. He may not live to see the trial, but let him go down in imfamy.

Karen Hatter

at 11:02 on March 5th, 2010

Jim, I think, given all of the drama, pro and con, regarding charging anyone involved during the Bush era of enhanced interrogation, including the lawyers that created the premise that torture wasn't torture, it would be impossible to have anyone prosecuted.

Invariably, both sides, pro and con, would add so much emotion to any attempt, it would cause even more tension in the country, since there is an interesting split in American society with some believing torture was okay.

All of those that are Bush/Cheney supporters, as well as those that despise the current Obama administration, most likely, would become even angrier, if that's even possible, making it impossible for any form of governance.