In 1948, three civilian engineers were killed in an Air Force plane crash while testing secret navigational equipment. The widows filed suit, but the Air Force, at the dawn of the Cold War, refused to hand over accident reports and witness statements, claiming the documents contained classified information
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In 1948, three civilian engineers were killed in an Air Force plane crash while testing secret navigational equipment. The widows filed suit, but the Air Force, at the dawn of the Cold War, refused to hand over accident reports and witness statements, claiming the documents contained classified information that would threaten national security. In 1953 the Supreme Court sided with the Air Force in United States v. Reynolds, formally recognizing the "state secrets" privilege, a legal precedent since used to conceal conduct, withhold documents, block troublesome litigation, and, most recently, detain terror suspects without due process. A half century later, the government revealed the "top-secret" information--there were no national security secrets, but rather a shocking chronicle of negligence. This book tells the story of this shameful incident, and the dangerous consequences of this historic cover-up: the violation of civil liberties and the abuse of constitutional protections.--From publisher description.
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Authors:
Siegel, Barry
Statement of Responsibility:
Barry Siegel
Title:
Claim of privilege
a mysterious plane crash, a landmark Supreme Court case and the rise of state secrets
Publisher:
New York, NY :, Harper,, 2008.
Edition:
1st ed
Characteristics:
xi, 384 p. ;,24 cm.
Bibliography:
Includes bibliographical references (p. [315]-363) and index.
Contents:
Pt. 1. CHALLENGES (June 1946 - June 1949): Banshee days
B-29 bombers
Delays and progress
Final exam
The flight
Aftermath
Response
Folsom's letter
Special investigation
Pt. II. COURTROOMS (Dec 1948 - Dec 1953): Thoughts of redress
Charles Biddle
The complaint
Judge Kirkpatrick
A claim of privilege
The hearing
Full value
Judge Maris
The Vinson Court
A nice opinion
Pt. III. CONSEQUENCES (July 1953 - Oct 2002): Judy
The progeny of "Reynolds"
What to search for
How to get started
Waycross
Pt. IV. REVELATIONS (July 2002 - Sep 2007): On the side of right
Routes of relief
A creative try
Other types of comfort
The Albert Maris courtroom
The finality of judgment
Just one more mission.
Summary:
In 1948, three civilian engineers were killed in an Air Force plane crash while testing secret navigational equipment. The widows filed suit, but the Air Force, at the dawn of the Cold War, refused to hand over accident reports and witness statements, claiming the documents contained classified information that would threaten national security. In 1953 the Supreme Court sided with the Air Force in United States v. Reynolds, formally recognizing the "state secrets" privilege, a legal precedent since used to conceal conduct, withhold documents, block troublesome litigation, and, most recently, detain terror suspects without due process. A half century later, the government revealed the "top-secret" information--there were no national security secrets, but rather a shocking chronicle of negligence. This book tells the story of this shameful incident, and the dangerous consequences of this historic cover-up: the violation of civil liberties and the abuse of constitutional protections.--From publisher description.
Subject Headings:
Reynolds, Patricia J. Trials, litigation, etc.
United States Trials, litigation, etc.
Official secrets United States.
National security Law and legislation United States.
Executive privilege (Government information) United States.
Airplanes, Military Accidents Investigation United States.
Topical Term:
Official secrets
National security
Executive privilege (Government information)
Airplanes, Military
ISBN:
9780060777029
0060777028
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