Of course, the US admits no wrongdoing, but then why settle?

Maybe because Ashcroft would be forced to testify under oath.

Their lawsuit accuses former US Attorney General John Ashcroft and other federal officials of conspiring to violate the rights of Muslim immigrant detainees.

A federal judge ruled last year that Mr Ashcroft must answer questions on the case under oath, but the government has appealed the ruling arguing that top officials need immunity to combat future threats to national security.

If Ashcroft was forced to testify under oath, that would have generated much more press coverage of these abuses. Of course now the US government is settling these cases, hoping to keep this under the radar.

Lucky for Bush and his cronies, everyone in America is worried about domestic spying and the sell-out of our port security.

I still think this deserves more American press coverage.