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$23 Billion Gag Order

Posted by Lindsay Beyerstein, Majikthise at 4:00 AM on June 12, 2008.


A US gag order is preventing the BBC from revealing $23 billion in mismanaged Iraq funds.
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BBC reporters think they know where $23 billion missing and misspent Iraq war dollars went, but they can't tell us:

A BBC investigation estimates that around $23bn (£11.75bn) may have

been lost, stolen or just not properly accounted for in Iraq.

The BBC's Panorama programme has used US and Iraqi government sources

to research how much some private contractors have profited from the

conflict and rebuilding.

A US gagging order is preventing discussion of the allegations.

The order applies to 70 court cases against some of the top US companies. [BBC]

The article doesn't go into detail about the nature gag order. I assume it applies to individuals involved in cases under adjudication, not to the BBC reporters directly.

A lot of war profiteering scandals come to light through whistle blower lawsuits.

Last year, I interviewed an attorney who specializes in representing whistle blowers. He told me that it's not unusual for gag orders to be imposed in these cases.

Whistle blower lawsuits are automatically sealed for a couple of weeks after they are filed in order to give the DOJ a chance to decide whether to pursue the matter.

It's not clear whether that's what's going on with the 70 cases the BBC alludes to, above. 

If the article is literally accurate, and a single gag order covers 70 cases, a whistle blower might have brought a very big case.


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That's why You skip the Legal Avenue first..right to Legimate Press
Posted by: Purple Girl on Jun 12, 2008 4:47 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
How many 'confessions' and 'Tell Alls' are sitting in the DoJ right Now? Fools!
If anything McCellan showed you don't go to that Corrupt system first- Schedule Media Interviews. Of course Scotty's tell all was given the go ahead to deflect blame away from W- so it was Ok'ed by the WH with the BS excuse 'Our intentions were Good, even though misguided' BS the WH's intentions were nothing more then Greed & Power motivated!
I just saw an Interview on 'Real News'- of course on Line, where a underling of Powells explains the MIC's involvement in the Push to War and the Real Agenda...Over throw all Gov't in the ME. Iran offered assistance to the US to aid in th eReconstruciton of Iraq in '03- It was Rejected by Cheney and thus not fought for by Powell. Funny I have Not seen this guy on the Media Circuit. I find his information far more Indictful then Scotty Boys.Did Powell whistle blow and that is why we have not seen or heard from him since- has he not only been 'Gagged' but bound becasue he foolishly went to the DoJ first- Being a life time soldier, did he mistakenly follow the chain of command, and this underling is his only way to send a 'Smoke Signal ' for help? Possibly wishful thinking for this person who held Powell in such high regard til he was USED by this Adminsitration.but if he did come forward I would still lend him my ear.Col Powell this is not your gov't so you owe them NO allegience, your oathe was to US and Our Constitution, Never is your Duty to another mere Employee.Their Laws are Illegitmate and Treasonous. Come On Powell Your country is Crying for your Help!

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The DOJ actually HAS a gag reflex?????
Posted by: hurricane hugo on Jun 12, 2008 9:11 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I never would've guessed.

jdfu!

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Delay
Posted by: Gaubladt on Jun 12, 2008 10:18 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The DOJ pulled the same shenanegans when Custer Battles were being sued; it's a delay tactic.

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gathaiga
Posted by: gathaiga on Jun 13, 2008 6:36 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
How in the hell can a US entity affect what a foreign news agency reports?? Personally, I depend on foreign news to get more factual information than what is available here in the US...with the possible exception of a few alternative media sources.

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Then how come
Posted by: sawdust on Jun 13, 2008 7:38 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
if there is a gag order, we know this much about it? Seems to me that the cat is already out of the bag.

I heard a rumor that part of the money paid for the new Bush family ranch in Paraguay? Surely not! I'm shocked!

Screw the DOJ: somebody blab and let's get on with it. Fits nicely with impeachment!

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Illegal to PROTEST in UK...
Posted by: BlueBerry PickN on Jun 13, 2008 9:01 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
anti-Bush protests 'partially' banned...

Bush slams anti-US 'propaganda' - BBC News, UK - 12 Jun 2008
"As Air Force One touched down, hundreds were gathering in the city centre in protest at the Bush administration and Italy's involvement in Afghanistan. ..."

Anti-war march banned during Bush visit to London
Mathaba.Net, UK - 11 Jun 2008
"The Stop the War Coalition ''STWC'' said Wednesday that it had been informed by London's Metropolitan Police that a proposed march to protest against US. ..."

War Criminal George W. Bush not Welcome in the UK - Center for Research on Globalization, Canada
"Some of those who signed statements accusing Bush of war crimes will be leading this protest. Here are the comments of human rights activist Bianca Jagger. ..."

Police withdraws partial ban on demonstration against Bush - The Muslim News, UK
"The turnaround is a partial victory for campaigners who, as well as protesting against Bush, have felt that they were battling to rescue their civil..."
=
Anti-Bush protesters to defy march ban
Andrew Sparrow and agencies - guardian.co.uk -Tuesday June 10 2008

"Anti-war campaigners said today that they would defy a ban on a planned march to Downing Street at the weekend to protest against a visit by George Bush.

The Stop the War Coalition said that it would press ahead with the protest on Sunday, and stage a march from Parliament Square to the gates of Downing Street.

Protesters need permission to march near parliament and the police have told the campaigners that their march will not be allowed.

A Stop the War spokesman said: "It seems that when George Bush visits this country, traditional rights of assembly and movement are removed from the people.

"This would be unacceptable for the visit of any foreign leader, but for this one - a war criminal - it is doubly unacceptable and we will defy the ban.
"

Harold Pinter, the playwright, said: "The ban on the Stop the War Coalition march in protest at the visit of President Bush to this country is a totalitarian act. In what is supposed to be a free country the coalition has every right to express its views peacefully and openly.

"This ban is outrageous and makes the term 'democracy' laughable.
"

Only Fools and Horses actor Roger Lloyd Pack said: "I feel affronted that George Bush is coming over here, and even more affronted that I'm not allowed to march in protest."

Kate Hudson, the chairwoman of CND, said: "Previous attempts to deprive us of our rights to protest have come to nothing. In February 2003 we were told we couldn't go on the grass in Hyde Park and what happened? Two million people joined us in Hyde Park to oppose the war on Iraq.

"Last October we were told we couldn't protest in Parliament Square to demand the withdrawal of British troops. What happened then? The morning of the protest we were given the go-ahead. We have a proud record of peaceful democratic protest and we mean to continue.
"
..."


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BlueBerry Pick'n
ThisCanadian
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"We, two, form a Multitude" ~ Ovid.
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"Silent Freedom is Freedom Silenced"

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