Obama, Bush And State Secrets, Ctd

A reader responds to Ambers:

Of course, the new rider is hardly warm in the saddle. Of course, the team at DOJ which should deal with this hasn't even been confirmed yet. Give them some time. Of course. But no one is asking Obama to fold forever on state secrets claims - that would be ridiculous. Notwithstanding the absurd conduct of the Bushies, there are actually cases in which state secrets can and should be properly invoked. But the way it is used in this case is completely wrong. 

The DOJ is arguing that the subject matter of the case is so thoroughly enmeshed in secrets that the whole Mohamed suit must simply be shut down. That's purely abusive, and it's embarrassing for a DOJ lawyer to get up in court and make such an absurd argument.  If DOJ wants to argue that a single document is secret or a single witness's testimony should be restricted in some particular way, that's something we can look at. But the consequence of the Obama team passing on this is that the appeal may be lost and the suit thrown out entirely, and that's a manifest injustice.

It was a shameful, irresponsible move. They can, however, redeem themselves by doing the right thing and making the key information public.