Monday, September 15, 2014

“If there’s something in their files that would disclose a state secret, is there any reason it should be in their files?”

The Justice Department intervened late Friday in a defamation lawsuit against United Against Nuclear Iran, a prominent advocacy group that pushes for tough sanctions against Tehran. The government said the case should be dropped because forcing the group to open its files would jeopardize national security. The group is not affiliated with the government, and lists no government contracts on its tax forms. The government has cited no precedent for using the so-called state-secrets privilege to quash a private lawsuit that does not focus on government activity.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Ah yes, the ol' "any Palomino is a pal-o'-mine-o" defense. Bet if one of us tried to sue SPLC you'd get the same treatment

Anonymous said...

A more likely explanation is that there's something in their files that if it came to light in court it would be damaging to the present administration.

Paul X said...

"United Against Nuclear Iran"? Not a group with government (or crony) connections? Don't make me laugh.

Jhn1 said...

That means, by definition, something the Iranian group has found out (and turned over to the US Gov), but the administration has not admitted, or has taken credit for, or has lied to cover up.

Pick one.