King, ACLU director spar over detainees

WASHINGTON, May 17 (UPI) -- U.S. Rep. Peter King said Sunday the American Civil Liberties Union is wrong to press the government to release photographs of torture of terror detainees.

In an appearance on CBS's "Face the Nation" program, the New York Republican said the ACLU is "tearing down the United States" by calling for the photos and by opposing military tribunals at the Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, facility for suspected terrorists.

King said that in wars there are abuses, but questioned the ACLU's motives, saying he is not sure "what purpose the ACLU serves in constantly tearing down the United States, constantly attacking our government."

Appearing on the same program, ACLU executive director Anthony Romero said Obama is "ill-informed" by not deciding not to release pictures depicting torture and abuse of detainees.

Romero said the military tribunal system created under President George W. Bush was a "debacle of justice," adding that Obama ought not try to resurrect the tribunal system.

"We have the best system of justice in the world, and rather than jerry rig or fix an already broken system, we ought to use the one that works," Romero said.