Defense official trashes America
January 18, 2007 at 4:12 pm by Web Editor in NewsRecent anti-American remarks by a Pentagon official have direct bearing on the lawyers profiled last fall by Scott Henry in CL.
The New York Times reported last week that Assistant Defense Secretary Charles Stimson urged corporations to boycott law firms that are representing — usually for free — Guantanamo Bay detainees. Henry profiled John Chandler and Kristin Wilhelm, attorneys at the Atlanta firm of Sutherland Asbill & Brennan, who are representing some detainees from Yemen. It was clear from that article that the lawyers are working for the clients because they believe in the American way of justice, not because, as Stimson implied, they support terrorists.
On a right-wing radio show, Stimson argued that the firms should be forced to "choose between representing terrorists or representing reputable firms." Sutherland Asbill & Brennan was among the firms he listed. But, as Henry’s story shows, it’s not at all clear that many of the detainees are terrorists. And even alleged terrorists get legal representation here in America, Herr Stimson.
The NYT reports today that the anti-American official now says the remarks didn’t represent his "core beliefs." Sounds a bit disingenuous, doncha think? I say we strip this America hater of his citizenship.
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