Happy Independence Day!

Profiles in courage for the 4th of July:

From The Age (Melbourne) -

The military lawyer who won't be tamed

David Hicks’ US military lawyer, Major Michael Mori, or Dan as he prefers, has carved out an extraordinary profile as a low-level US marine who speaks out in regular criticism of the military commissions set up by President George Bush, the Commander-in-Chief...

Becoming such a public defender of the rights of David Hicks is a precarious career move for Mori. His superior, air force Colonel Will Gunn, who was chosen as lead defence counsel in the trials of the detainees, thought at the time someone was out to torpedo his own career. “It occurred to me that there would be people who would not be able to understand how I could represent individuals who are characterised as enemies of the United States,” Gunn said in 2004...

The key to understanding Mori is his training as a marine; by appointing him to defend Hicks, the US military unleashed against itself the US Marine culture. Mori, who signs his emails “sf” — semper fi delis (always faithful) is the Marine Corps motto — sees it as a noble thing to stand up for someone who may have no one else on their side.

“Marines love underdogs, he says. “I’m a marine.”

From the P-I (Seattle) -

Gitmo win likely cost Navy lawyer his career - 'Fearless' defense of detainee a stinging loss for Bush

Lt. Cmdr. Charles Swift -- the Navy lawyer who beat the president of the United States in a pivotal Supreme Court battle over trying alleged terrorists -- figures he'll probably have to find a new job.

Of course, it's always risky to compare your boss to King George III.

Swift first represented Hamdan two years ago in U.S. District Court in Seattle... "I may be one of the most influential lawyers in America," the Seattle University Law School graduate said, "but I won't be in the military much longer. That irony did strike me..."

Swift clearly believes that his vigorous defense of Hamdan was, in a very real way, a vigorous defense of military justice and the Constitution.

"If they are calling the commissions (tribunals) military justice, it's got to live up to what military justice is. It means something. It's about the law, not what the leaders want. The greatest thing about the JAG Corps is ... I had the opportunity to work every day in a system I believe in..."

JAG defense counsel: the sound of freedom.