webofevil | Ixnay on the ostghay ightsflay

US admits "renditions"; will neither confirm nor deny secret prisons or torture therein

“Neither confirm nor deny” is all too often seen as a tacit admission, but you can’t assume that, as it’s a fundamental principle of law that you’re innocent until proven guilty.

Ha ha! I’m joking, of course. We’re living in modern times, which makes these times different from all other times that have gone before, so the “fundamental principles of law” no longer apply! The rules just changed and those not holding guns lose! Of course you’re guilty the moment we say you are!

By this definition, then, the Americans are also judged guilty the moment they’re accused, so in this instance, “We cannot discuss information that would compromise the success of intelligence, law enforcement, and military operations” comes to mean “We’re doing exactly what you think we’re doing”, with the usual US rider: “And exactly which one of you sorry motherfuckers is going to stop us?”