Obama, by saying that the operatives who carried out the torture will not be prosecuted is rewriting history. Are all the Nazies who were only obeying orders now to be pardoned for their crimes?
As to prosecution, personally, I’d love it. But I heard an interesting commentary yesterday suggesting that prosecution would just make them into martyrs and start the cycle all over again. It recommended a truth commission, which is something I’d back happily.
I’d sign up to support a truth commission (including amnesty for all who cooperate). We don’t need prosecutions. We just need to make sure we know as much as possible so history can judge.
A few decades ago, Ford pardoned Nixon, and they all said that was a wonderfaul act to avoid martyrdom and to heal the country. What it did was tell people like Cheney that they could get away with their crimes, scot-free.
In case you’re unfamiliar with what war crimes are, here’s the U.S. definition:
http://tinyurl.com/yxpu2q
Starting out the list:
(A) Torture.— The act of a person who commits, or conspires or attempts to commit, an act specifically intended to inflict severe physical or mental pain or suffering (other than pain or suffering incidental to lawful sanctions) upon another person within his custody or physical control for the purpose of obtaining information or a confession, punishment, intimidation, coercion, or any reason based on discrimination of any kind.
(B) Cruel or inhuman treatment.— The act of a person who commits, or conspires or attempts to commit, an act intended to inflict severe or serious physical or mental pain or suffering (other than pain or suffering incidental to lawful sanctions), including serious physical abuse, upon another within his custody or control.
Anybody needs a police dog to catch them? I have a good nose and spot them wherever they are. Ya don’t believe me?
sniffsniffsniff The neighbors on the right are having pizza for lunch sniff sniff sniff the neighbors on the left are havine fricot sniff sniff sniff they are doing barbecue across town…sniffsniffsniff and there’s some ham in the fridge in the house across the street that’s about to go bad riiiiiight abooooouut…..NOW!
On Fresh Air last night Terry discusses torture with two different authors. The first focuses on the impending Spanish court case.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=103606406
txmystic about 15 years ago
Little Cop says:
”Make ‘em talk”
Er–how?
fairportfan about 15 years ago
Ve haff vays…
MaryWorth Premium Member about 15 years ago
Well, I didn’t elect Jackazz… I voted for Obama and he won!!!
Simon_Jester about 15 years ago
Ahhh Stew, back to calling us libtards again, I see.
What’s next, the accusations of drug use?
I can’t believe you’ve already forgotten what happened to you the last time you went down that road.
Oh well…
Ian-Smith about 15 years ago
Obama, by saying that the operatives who carried out the torture will not be prosecuted is rewriting history. Are all the Nazies who were only obeying orders now to be pardoned for their crimes?
cdward about 15 years ago
As to prosecution, personally, I’d love it. But I heard an interesting commentary yesterday suggesting that prosecution would just make them into martyrs and start the cycle all over again. It recommended a truth commission, which is something I’d back happily.
tpenna about 15 years ago
I’d sign up to support a truth commission (including amnesty for all who cooperate). We don’t need prosecutions. We just need to make sure we know as much as possible so history can judge.
edrush about 15 years ago
A few decades ago, Ford pardoned Nixon, and they all said that was a wonderfaul act to avoid martyrdom and to heal the country. What it did was tell people like Cheney that they could get away with their crimes, scot-free.
mivins about 15 years ago
Martyrs, schmartyrs, they’re war criminals.
riley05 about 15 years ago
In case you’re unfamiliar with what war crimes are, here’s the U.S. definition:
http://tinyurl.com/yxpu2q
Starting out the list:
(A) Torture.— The act of a person who commits, or conspires or attempts to commit, an act specifically intended to inflict severe physical or mental pain or suffering (other than pain or suffering incidental to lawful sanctions) upon another person within his custody or physical control for the purpose of obtaining information or a confession, punishment, intimidation, coercion, or any reason based on discrimination of any kind. (B) Cruel or inhuman treatment.— The act of a person who commits, or conspires or attempts to commit, an act intended to inflict severe or serious physical or mental pain or suffering (other than pain or suffering incidental to lawful sanctions), including serious physical abuse, upon another within his custody or control.
Any of this sound familiar?
CorosiveFrog Premium Member about 15 years ago
Sooky Rottweiler says;
Anybody needs a police dog to catch them? I have a good nose and spot them wherever they are. Ya don’t believe me?
sniffsniffsniff The neighbors on the right are having pizza for lunch sniff sniff sniff the neighbors on the left are havine fricot sniff sniff sniff they are doing barbecue across town…sniffsniffsniff and there’s some ham in the fridge in the house across the street that’s about to go bad riiiiiight abooooouut…..NOW!
lalas about 15 years ago
Anthony they didn’t give a squirt about Iran-Contra…. they’ll never give a cr@p about this.
AlbertNonyMouse about 15 years ago
Paul Krugman of the NY Times says it all: http://tinyurl.com/cc7fwt
lalas about 15 years ago
On Fresh Air last night Terry discusses torture with two different authors. The first focuses on the impending Spanish court case. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=103606406
deadheadzan about 15 years ago
It started with Ford pardoning Nixon, got a lot worse when Iran-Contra got swept under the rug. That led to the present mess. It has to stop. Now.
KarlOSMArkSimOS about 15 years ago
Yes, more and bigger police state. Obommunism is good.