ShellGames

bush seeks to shield official ruffians

The Washington Post today reported the White House is trying to excuse political appointees, CIA officers, and former military personnel from prosecution for humiliating or degrading wartime prisoners under amendments drafted by the bush administration to a war crimes law.

These amendments are part of the White House's response to the June 29 Supreme Court ruling that declared the military tribunal system, set up to try Guantanamo prisoners, illegal and a violation of the Geneva Conventions.

So the bush-whacker (obviously remembering his childhood antics) says, ok, but if we do it, and don't get in trouble for it, what's the big deal?!

Besides, it seems the "outrages upon personal dignity," barred by the Geneva Conventions, are just too confusing to him.

"Attorney General Alberto Gonzales told a Senate Committee last week the language of the Geneva Conventions was too vague and needed to be better defined by Congress."

Ok, how about we just say this - whatever you guys do to them, we get to do to you.

There's some kind of religous, humanistic line about that somewhere. I bet they've heard it.

It goes on to say,

"The administration's two other responses to the Supreme Court's rejection of its military tribunal system have been to seek legislation blocking Guantanamo prisoners' right to sue to enforce their newly won protections; and to draft a bill that replaces an absolute human rights standard with consideration of intelligence-gathering needs during interrogations."

It also points out there have been no criminal prosecutions under the War Crimes Act in the 10 years since it was enacted.

How about we start now? From the top down.

posted by DadEO @ 8:28 PM