© Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images
Former president George W. Bush has reportedly raked in millions of dollars on the speaking circuit, and tomorrow he heads to British Columbia, Canada for another speaking event. And, it looks like he will come and go with utter impunity.
Something about that sounds wrong. In fact, it is wrong: Canada, as a party to the UN Convention Against Torture, has a legal responsibility to arrest, investigate and prosecute (or extradite for prosecution to a willing country) anyone suspected of torture. So, it would seem that a Bush visit north of the border would prompt Canadian authorities to slap the former president with an arrest warrant.
Bush, after all, authorized the use of “enhanced interrogation techniques,” such as waterboarding, during the CIA’s secret detention program. He’s even admitted to personally approving the use of torture. Yet, in all likelihood, the only thing he will get out of this trip will be a six-figure paycheck.
President Obama is fond of “teachable moments,” but the only lesson to be learned from this episode is that the world continues to turn a blind eye to torture and other grave human rights violations. More than two years ago, President Obama decided that his administration would not prosecute George W. Bush.
Since President Obama refuses to bring the former president to justice, it becomes incumbent on other countries to step in. Articles 5 and 7 of the Convention Against Torture explicitly provide for universal jurisdiction (the principle that all countries have an obligation to investigate torture suspects found on their territory, regardless of where the torture was committed) to ensure that nobody gets away with torture.
What makes this all the more disappointing is that Canada has been a leader in efforts to strengthen the international justice system. Embracing George W. Bush with open arms would discredit that legacy, running afoul of accountability, of justice, of right and wrong.
Canada: you’ve got a few days left to show the world that no one is above the law. Please do so, before Bush gets away not only with torture, but also with pockets full of cash.
Ask Canada to arrest and investigate George W. Bush for his role in torture.
It sucks, but I don't think anyone is GONNA do anything about it!
It sucks, but I don’t think anyone is GONNA do anything about it!
I submit that this completely disregards (a) any positive actions the former president may have taken during his time in office, (b) the immense pressures exerted upon the leader of a country at war and the responsibilities of a commanding officer to his soldiers, and (c) the debatable ethics of torture in the first place.
While it cannot be true that the ends always justifies the means, it is conceivable that in certain situations the suffering of one individual may lead to saving the lives of many thousands (an example of John Mills's philosophies and Aristotle's Golden Mean). Furthermore, the American public cannot be privy all the factors of this case, and therefore should withhold from offering judgment without sufficient factual evidence.
right now OCCUPY is on the forefront and we don;t need anything to distract from that…that in itself is a lot to beholding. Bank transfer is a big thing while people are getting illegally arrested trying to peacefully close their accounts. A waste of taxpayers money and police time.
Yes, of course Canada will arrest a former President of the United States. Can we please have an editor who lives in the real world post about this important subject. For the first time I'm embarrassed to be a card carrying member.
RLK – whatever positive actions Mr. Bush may have taken are not at issue. Simply speaking, he took actions which deserve investigation to determine whether he may be liable for prosecution for those actions. That's what arrest is all about. We did not hesitate to prosecute the Nazis who authorized similar actions during World War II, and we should not hesitate here.
As far as 'the debatable ethics of torture' are concerned, again – not at issue. Waterboarding has been determined to be torture under a treaty the United States is a signatory to. Ethics has nothing to do with it. You cannot drag emotional arguments into what is basically an issue of legal vs. illegal actions.
The most principal world's and dangerous terrorrist dof the Universal History are George Bush Senior and Jr
Torture is torture is torture. The rule of law is the rule of law. If GW Bush, Dick Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld are above the law, then so are the generals in Myanmar, Muammar Gaddafi, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Vladimir Putin, Wen Jiabao and every other world leader who knowingly and willingly endorses torture and state sponsored human rights abuses as a means of governing and projecting national power.
I submit that this completely disregards (a) any positive actions the former president may have taken during his time in office, (b) the immense pressures exerted upon the leader of a country at war and the responsibilities of a commanding officer to his soldiers, and (c) the debatable ethics of torture in the first place.
While it cannot be true that the ends always justifies the means, it is conceivable that in certain situations the suffering of one individual may lead to saving the lives of many thousands (an example of John Mills’s philosophies and Aristotle’s Golden Mean). Furthermore, the American public cannot be privy all the factors of this case, and therefore should withhold from offering judgment without sufficient factual evidence.
Because arresting a former American President wouldn't cause any kind of devastating military and/or economic retaliation, now would it?
Can you imagine how many people (read: mostly Canadians) would die if Canadian authorities attempted to arrest Bush? I'm sure the Canadian government would love to have the blood of its citizens soaking the ground just to prove a point that the world's strongest military does naughty things.
Sh*t happens in war. Get over it.
right now OCCUPY is on the forefront and we don;t need anything to distract from that…that in itself is a lot to beholding. Bank transfer is a big thing while people are getting illegally arrested trying to peacefully close their accounts. A waste of taxpayers money and police time.
Mr. Smythe, if we flout international law, then we are no better than those "tyrants" around the world we so strongly condemn. We can't have it both ways – either we adhere to the same set of laws as the rest of the world does or we're a rogue nation, just like, say, North Korea.
Yes, of course Canada will arrest a former President of the United States. Can we please have an editor who lives in the real world post about this important subject. For the first time I’m embarrassed to be a card carrying member.
RLK – whatever positive actions Mr. Bush may have taken are not at issue. Simply speaking, he took actions which deserve investigation to determine whether he may be liable for prosecution for those actions. That’s what arrest is all about. We did not hesitate to prosecute the Nazis who authorized similar actions during World War II, and we should not hesitate here.
As far as ‘the debatable ethics of torture’ are concerned, again – not at issue. Waterboarding has been determined to be torture under a treaty the United States is a signatory to. Ethics has nothing to do with it. You cannot drag emotional arguments into what is basically an issue of legal vs. illegal actions.
The most principal world’s and dangerous terrorrist dof the Universal History are George Bush Senior and Jr
If they wont,then stop making noise about Al Bashir's visit to Malawi
Justification is like masturbation your only screwing your self Id like to see this applied universally
Torture is torture is torture. The rule of law is the rule of law. If GW Bush, Dick Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld are above the law, then so are the generals in Myanmar, Muammar Gaddafi, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Vladimir Putin, Wen Jiabao and every other world leader who knowingly and willingly endorses torture and state sponsored human rights abuses as a means of governing and projecting national power.
Somebody needs a reality check. While I am certainly not pro torture. Comparing ex President G.W. Bush's actions to the Nazis i find almost unbelievable. The Nazis who rounded up whole villages of people including children & systematically shot them. Who gassed millions just because he didn't like them. Wake up. These people who were tortured were suspected of terrorism. Terrorists the biggest threat to living in peace & security since Hitler. For God sake! Don't be distracted from the real enemy.
Because arresting a former American President wouldn’t cause any kind of devastating military and/or economic retaliation, now would it?
Can you imagine how many people (read: mostly Canadians) would die if Canadian authorities attempted to arrest Bush? I’m sure the Canadian government would love to have the blood of its citizens soaking the ground just to prove a point that the world’s strongest military does naughty things.
Sh*t happens in war. Get over it.
Mr. Smythe, if we flout international law, then we are no better than those “tyrants” around the world we so strongly condemn. We can’t have it both ways – either we adhere to the same set of laws as the rest of the world does or we’re a rogue nation, just like, say, North Korea.
Isn't the US also a signatory? If we believe Wikipedia, they are. Is this the first time Mr Bush has left US soil to another country that is a signatory?
If they wont,then stop making noise about Al Bashir’s visit to Malawi
Justification is like masturbation your only screwing your self Id like to see this applied universally
Somebody needs a reality check. While I am certainly not pro torture. Comparing ex President G.W. Bush’s actions to the Nazis i find almost unbelievable. The Nazis who rounded up whole villages of people including children & systematically shot them. Who gassed millions just because he didn’t like them. Wake up. These people who were tortured were suspected of terrorism. Terrorists the biggest threat to living in peace & security since Hitler. For God sake! Don’t be distracted from the real enemy.
L I Howard – I did not compare Mr Bush's actions to the Nazis. I agree, their atrocities were an entirely different order of magnitude. What I said was that one of the ways the Nazis used to interrogate their prisoners (waterboarding) was determined to be torture and that this torture was one of the charges they were prosecuted for at the Nuremburg trials. As I said, we prosecuted the Nazis for this, and we should be consistent by prosecuting Mr. Bush.
Ashley B – If memory serves, this is the first time Mr. Bush has left the country since he left office. His vice president has visited at least one other country that was a signatory, but he was careful to control who got to see him personally.
Isn’t the US also a signatory? If we believe Wikipedia, they are. Is this the first time Mr Bush has left US soil to another country that is a signatory?
L I Howard – I did not compare Mr Bush’s actions to the Nazis. I agree, their atrocities were an entirely different order of magnitude. What I said was that one of the ways the Nazis used to interrogate their prisoners (waterboarding) was determined to be torture and that this torture was one of the charges they were prosecuted for at the Nuremburg trials. As I said, we prosecuted the Nazis for this, and we should be consistent by prosecuting Mr. Bush.
Ashley B – If memory serves, this is the first time Mr. Bush has left the country since he left office. His vice president has visited at least one other country that was a signatory, but he was careful to control who got to see him personally.
"For what" is "The West" destroying lives, property and success if it's standard is not, repeat NOT, quite inscrutable!?
“For what” is “The West” destroying lives, property and success if it’s standard is not, repeat NOT, quite inscrutable!?
No one is above the law, except the government of US who hunts down leaders of other countries in the name of freedom.
Yes it all doesn't make sense, weapons of mass destruction my a**
Mr. Bush has shown a contempt for the law which cannot be tolerated.
No one is above the law, except the government of US who hunts down leaders of other countries in the name of freedom.
Yes it all doesn’t make sense, weapons of mass destruction my a**
Mr. Bush has shown a contempt for the law which cannot be tolerated.
Call for Bush's arrest tells ALL nonAmerican peoples —
Amnesty's ready to apply SAME standards to the US as to Others !!
An equal treatment nonAmericans NEITHER see NOR expect from a US body these days.
Call to arrest him DOESN'T distract from the "Occupy WS" Movement, either.
On the CONTRARY, Bush being one of WS's PRIME SIDEKICKS, it's EXACTLY what this Movement wants to SEE, too !!!
OCCUPY BUSH !!!!
End American Exceptionalism NOW.
Amnesty has it right !!
Call for Bush’s arrest tells ALL nonAmerican peoples —
Amnesty’s ready to apply SAME standards to the US as to Others !!
An equal treatment nonAmericans NEITHER see NOR expect from a US body these days.
Call to arrest him DOESN’T distract from the “Occupy WS” Movement, either.
On the CONTRARY, Bush being one of WS’s PRIME SIDEKICKS, it’s EXACTLY what this Movement wants to SEE, too !!!
OCCUPY BUSH !!!!
End American Exceptionalism NOW.
Amnesty has it right !!
And also, I suppose you are saying, Canada should arrest Bush the Father too for authorizing the napalming without warning of Panama City the first night of the invasion in which more than 10,000 civilians were incinerated in their sleep.
And don't forget to arrest Bill Clinton for authorizing US planes to bomb the civilian Serbian Radio and Television Studios killing 12 unarmed journalists, broadcasting centers being a specifically protected target under the Geneva Convention thus making that act a war crime.
And, extending your logic to its inevitable idiotic extreme, of course don't forget to arrest the current president, for authorizing daily drone attacks in Afghanistan and Pakistan, constituting unlawful extra-judicial assassination in many cases which is a Geneva Convention war crime while simultaneously killing thousands of innocent bystander women and children, thus showing "willful disregard for civilian casualties" also a Geneva Convention war crime.
So why this obsessive picking on GWB and only GWB out of all the former and current presidents, all of whom also committed technically illegal acts in defense of their country?
GWB protected his country the best he could while I am sure trying to stay as much within the law as he could. So did his father and so did Clinton and so has thank god the current president. Thank god that they did so and are continuing to do so even today this very minute to protect our country and the world , all of us, even you Amnesty, and even Canada too, which without the US as ally and protector would have been gone years ago.
So the day you demand Clinton, for just one example, be tried for the war crime bombing of that TV studio in Belgrade and the murder of those 12 protected journalists is the day you can then also demand GWB be arrested for torture without making yourselves look like just a bunch of ridiculous hypocrites.
George W. Bush, showing stunning contempt for established law, has admitted ordering the waterboarding of defenseless prisoners. He has painted a target on himself, unlike any of the others who may or may not be guilty of such crimes. George W. Bush has invited the international community to bring him to justice. The community of nations should oblige.
And also, I suppose you are saying, Canada should arrest Bush the Father too for authorizing the napalming without warning of Panama City the first night of the invasion in which more than 10,000 civilians were incinerated in their sleep.
And don’t forget to arrest Bill Clinton for authorizing US planes to bomb the civilian Serbian Radio and Television Studios killing 12 unarmed journalists, broadcasting centers being a specifically protected target under the Geneva Convention thus making that act a war crime.
And, extending your logic to its inevitable idiotic extreme, of course don’t forget to arrest the current president, for authorizing daily drone attacks in Afghanistan and Pakistan, constituting unlawful extra-judicial assassination in many cases which is a Geneva Convention war crime while simultaneously killing thousands of innocent bystander women and children, thus showing “willful disregard for civilian casualties” also a Geneva Convention war crime.
So why this obsessive picking on GWB and only GWB out of all the former and current presidents, all of whom also committed technically illegal acts in defense of their country?
GWB protected his country the best he could while I am sure trying to stay as much within the law as he could. So did his father and so did Clinton and so has thank god the current president. Thank god that they did so and are continuing to do so even today this very minute to protect our country and the world , all of us, even you Amnesty, and even Canada too, which without the US as ally and protector would have been gone years ago.
So the day you demand Clinton, for just one example, be tried for the war crime bombing of that TV studio in Belgrade and the murder of those 12 protected journalists is the day you can then also demand GWB be arrested for torture without making yourselves look like just a bunch of ridiculous hypocrites.
George W. Bush, showing stunning contempt for established law, has admitted ordering the waterboarding of defenseless prisoners. He has painted a target on himself, unlike any of the others who may or may not be guilty of such crimes. George W. Bush has invited the international community to bring him to justice. The community of nations should oblige.
@judonimh –
I wouldn't have a problem with any of the arrests you suggest, no. If the men involved were willing to do the acts, then they should be willing to defend their actions in a court of law. If *you acted in such a way you thought was justified, wouldn't you be willing to defend your actions? If not, you've already convicted yourself in your own mind.
The United States can *not continue to have two sets of moral standards if we want to continue to be a member of the world community.
@judonimh –
I wouldn’t have a problem with any of the arrests you suggest, no. If the men involved were willing to do the acts, then they should be willing to defend their actions in a court of law. If *you acted in such a way you thought was justified, wouldn’t you be willing to defend your actions? If not, you’ve already convicted yourself in your own mind.
The United States can *not continue to have two sets of moral standards if we want to continue to be a member of the world community.
Stop cowering and caving to the 'United States of Arrogance' and take action Canada!
Paul F Davis – author of 'United States of Arrogance' married to a Canadian
@G.M.
I am complaining here about the hypocrisy of demanding the arrest of only one particular former leader, GWB, from only one particular country, the USA, for ordering only one particular human rights abuse, torture.
This is out of the thousands of former leaders, from dozens upon dozens of different countries, who all committed many different forms of human rights abuses but get free passes from Amnesty.
Does Amnesty chase former Russian officials around the world who were responsible for exterminating 1/3 the civilian population of Chechnya a decade ago ? No they do not. You can go on and on with these examples. Picking on just GWB, and only for torture, while ignoring far worse war criminals who committed far worse war crimes is an unfair injustice anyone can see.
For example, the historical record, as reported in the NY Times, Washington Post etc. is that GWB had ordered for the last 2 years of his administration a complete halt to drone attacks, or "extra-judicial executions" or what ever you prefer to term them, in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The leaders of both those countries had asked GWB to do so due to the high civilian bystander casualty rates of over 10 civilians killed for every one Taliban fighter, and GWB agreed and ordered them stopped.
However, according to the Washington Post, virtual the first order the current President made on becoming Commander in Chief, and we are talking here about the afternoon of January 20, 2009, was to cancel GWB's moratorium on drone attacks and order their full scale resumption without restriction. And in fact within two days of the inauguration, by January 22nd 2009, mass civilian casualties including women and children were already being reported from these resumed bombing. It is true that in the subsequent years much greater care is now being taken to avoid casualties, but that is a little late for the thousands of women and children bystanders that were wantonly slaughtered in these attacks in 2009.
So the question in terms of comparative morality is, is the water boarding GWB ordered because he believed it was necessary to protect millions of innocent lives from terrorists really all that much worse of a war crime than the current President's use of drone attacks/assassination even though he knew full well it would be at the terrible cost of mass civilian casualties? The current President is doing his job as Commander in Chief the best he knows how, just like GWB did, and out of exactly the same motivation GWB had, which is to protect millions and millions of civilian lives from terrorists, and thank God for that.
So will Amnesty not be a bunch of hypocrites and obligate itself to similarly hounding the current President and demand his arrest and prosecution for his supposed war crimes when he leaves office in 2 to 6 years ?
Amazingly enough I can already predict the answer will be no.
George W. Bush has confessed to committing war crimes. He has screamed from the rooftops that he should be prosecuted. This is known in legal circles as a slam dunk. George W. Bush's public confession makes him a unique target for prosecution.
why now? amnesty was silent for YEARS!
loving kindness to you
guy hawkins
Stop cowering and caving to the ‘United States of Arrogance’ and take action Canada!
Paul F Davis – author of ‘United States of Arrogance’ married to a Canadian
@G.M.
I am complaining here about the hypocrisy of demanding the arrest of only one particular former leader, GWB, from only one particular country, the USA, for ordering only one particular human rights abuse, torture.
This is out of the thousands of former leaders, from dozens upon dozens of different countries, who all committed many different forms of human rights abuses but get free passes from Amnesty.
Does Amnesty chase former Russian officials around the world who were responsible for exterminating 1/3 the civilian population of Chechnya a decade ago ? No they do not. You can go on and on with these examples. Picking on just GWB, and only for torture, while ignoring far worse war criminals who committed far worse war crimes is an unfair injustice anyone can see.
For example, the historical record, as reported in the NY Times, Washington Post etc. is that GWB had ordered for the last 2 years of his administration a complete halt to drone attacks, or “extra-judicial executions” or what ever you prefer to term them, in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The leaders of both those countries had asked GWB to do so due to the high civilian bystander casualty rates of over 10 civilians killed for every one Taliban fighter, and GWB agreed and ordered them stopped.
However, according to the Washington Post, virtual the first order the current President made on becoming Commander in Chief, and we are talking here about the afternoon of January 20, 2009, was to cancel GWB’s moratorium on drone attacks and order their full scale resumption without restriction. And in fact within two days of the inauguration, by January 22nd 2009, mass civilian casualties including women and children were already being reported from these resumed bombing. It is true that in the subsequent years much greater care is now being taken to avoid casualties, but that is a little late for the thousands of women and children bystanders that were wantonly slaughtered in these attacks in 2009.
So the question in terms of comparative morality is, is the water boarding GWB ordered because he believed it was necessary to protect millions of innocent lives from terrorists really all that much worse of a war crime than the current President’s use of drone attacks/assassination even though he knew full well it would be at the terrible cost of mass civilian casualties? The current President is doing his job as Commander in Chief the best he knows how, just like GWB did, and out of exactly the same motivation GWB had, which is to protect millions and millions of civilian lives from terrorists, and thank God for that.
So will Amnesty not be a bunch of hypocrites and obligate itself to similarly hounding the current President and demand his arrest and prosecution for his supposed war crimes when he leaves office in 2 to 6 years ?
Amazingly enough I can already predict the answer will be no.
George W. Bush has confessed to committing war crimes. He has screamed from the rooftops that he should be prosecuted. This is known in legal circles as a slam dunk. George W. Bush’s public confession makes him a unique target for prosecution.
why now? amnesty was silent for YEARS!
loving kindness to you
guy hawkins
Why call for arresting Bush, you ask ?
First, a question .
WHY do you think he's the SOLE LIVING President for whose arrest a vast number of people from tens of thousands of antiwar protestors to stalwarts of the law like Vincent Bugliosi have written & worked tirelssly for years ?
Are all their efforts JUST ONE BIG COINCIDENCE ?
Why arrest Bush ? Why not many others ?
Because whole WORLD'S struggling UNDER the poison legacies of the wars HE bagan & bequeathed.
Judonimh says he was defending "our country".
Evidence says he PREPLANNED the Iraq war.
He CONNED Americans with the lie that Saddam had WMDs.
With the lie that Saddam posed a threat to america.
The attack on Iraq was ITSELF a war crime.
Over 1, 000 law professors & US legal institutions organized to oppose this war crime as an "aggressive war in violation of the UN Charter."
So was Afghanistan an illegal war & occupation.
Why call for Bush's arrest ?
Because HE as President began the present American programs & policies of the detention & torture of THOUSANDS…. which were all WAR CRIMES.
Why Bush ?
Because HE as President SYMBOLIZED & is ACCOUNTABLE for Abu Ghraib & Guantanamo … all WAR CRIMES.
Bush refused to apply the Geneva Conventions to POWs in Afghanistan.
Soon after that, the US refused to follow the UN Charter requirements regulating the use of force.
Next the Justice Department said US courts wouldn't have jurisdiction over Guantanamo detainees EVEN if they were being SUMMARILY EXECUTED.
The 9 th Circuit Court of Appeals stated, " the US government has NEVER BEFORE asserted such a GRAVE & STARTLING PROPOSITION", a position "SO EXTREME that it raises the GRAVEST CONCERNS under both AMERICAN & INTERNATIONAL LAW." ( My emphases. )
************
Why arrest Bush ?
Because as president he's REPRESENTS & IS RESPONSIBLE FOR the 1.5 million Iraqi dead in the war he began, & the 4 million exiled. A calamity beyond the US wars on Serbia or Panama.
***********
Why arrest Bush ?
Because a central attempt by his adminisitration was to impose the idea that the President is ABOVE THE LAW.
Rep. Elizabeth Holtzman said that the claim that Bush was above the law "strikes at the very HEART of our democracy.It was the CENTERPIECE of… Nixon's defense in Watergate — a defense that was rejected by the courts & lay at the foundation of the articles of IMPEACHMENT voted against him by the House Judiciary Committee."( My emphases. )
***********
Why arrest Bush ?
Because HIS policies ( MORE THAN ANYONE ELSE'S ) continue today as the problems of policies imposed in the name of internal "security" in America, the problems of human rights VIOLATIONS, of the USURPATION of the rule of law by the President & by America, the EROSION of US Constitutionalism, & the fixture of IMPUNITY associated with US WAR CRIMES.
*************
Why arrest Bush ?
Because, finally, his arrest would signal the start of a CLEAN BREAK with the US path of PERMANENT WAR.
His arrest would get the OTHER war criminals prosecuted.
His arrest would ESTABLISH BARRIERS TO FUTURE WAR CRIMES.
His arrest & prosecution would SIGNAL a NEW CHAPTER in America's relations with the world.
With the Middle East.
& that would be a beginning.
The beginning the peoples of the world are so desperately looking & struggling for out on the streets today
Why call for arresting Bush, you ask ?
First, a question .
WHY do you think he’s the SOLE LIVING President for whose arrest a vast number of people from tens of thousands of antiwar protestors to stalwarts of the law like Vincent Bugliosi have written & worked tirelssly for years ?
Are all their efforts JUST ONE BIG COINCIDENCE ?
Why arrest Bush ? Why not many others ?
Because whole WORLD’S struggling UNDER the poison legacies of the wars HE bagan & bequeathed.
Judonimh says he was defending “our country”.
Evidence says he PREPLANNED the Iraq war.
He CONNED Americans with the lie that Saddam had WMDs.
With the lie that Saddam posed a threat to america.
The attack on Iraq was ITSELF a war crime.
Over 1, 000 law professors & US legal institutions organized to oppose this war crime as an “aggressive war in violation of the UN Charter.”
So was Afghanistan an illegal war & occupation.
Why call for Bush’s arrest ?
Because HE as President began the present American programs & policies of the detention & torture of THOUSANDS…. which were all WAR CRIMES.
Why Bush ?
Because HE as President SYMBOLIZED & is ACCOUNTABLE for Abu Ghraib & Guantanamo … all WAR CRIMES.
Bush refused to apply the Geneva Conventions to POWs in Afghanistan.
Soon after that, the US refused to follow the UN Charter requirements regulating the use of force.
Next the Justice Department said US courts wouldn’t have jurisdiction over Guantanamo detainees EVEN if they were being SUMMARILY EXECUTED.
The 9 th Circuit Court of Appeals stated, ” the US government has NEVER BEFORE asserted such a GRAVE & STARTLING PROPOSITION”, a position “SO EXTREME that it raises the GRAVEST CONCERNS under both AMERICAN & INTERNATIONAL LAW.” ( My emphases. )
************
Why arrest Bush ?
Because as president he’s REPRESENTS & IS RESPONSIBLE FOR the 1.5 million Iraqi dead in the war he began, & the 4 million exiled. A calamity beyond the US wars on Serbia or Panama.
***********
Why arrest Bush ?
Because a central attempt by his adminisitration was to impose the idea that the President is ABOVE THE LAW.
Rep. Elizabeth Holtzman said that the claim that Bush was above the law “strikes at the very HEART of our democracy.It was the CENTERPIECE of… Nixon’s defense in Watergate — a defense that was rejected by the courts & lay at the foundation of the articles of IMPEACHMENT voted against him by the House Judiciary Committee.”( My emphases. )
***********
Why arrest Bush ?
Because HIS policies ( MORE THAN ANYONE ELSE’S ) continue today as the problems of policies imposed in the name of internal “security” in America, the problems of human rights VIOLATIONS, of the USURPATION of the rule of law by the President & by America, the EROSION of US Constitutionalism, & the fixture of IMPUNITY associated with US WAR CRIMES.
*************
Why arrest Bush ?
Because, finally, his arrest would signal the start of a CLEAN BREAK with the US path of PERMANENT WAR.
His arrest would get the OTHER war criminals prosecuted.
His arrest would ESTABLISH BARRIERS TO FUTURE WAR CRIMES.
His arrest & prosecution would SIGNAL a NEW CHAPTER in America’s relations with the world.
With the Middle East.
& that would be a beginning.
The beginning the peoples of the world are so desperately looking & struggling for out on the streets today
Bush also helped sri lanka, in the name of war on terror, finally war on Tamil
Why UN failed to protect civilions? http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorialopinion/a…
Bush also helped sri lanka, in the name of war on terror, finally war on Tamil
Why UN failed to protect civilions? http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorialopinion/a…
Bush also helped sri lanka, in the name of war on terror, finally war on Tamil
Why UN failed to protect civilions? http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorialopinion/a…
i didn't say 'why arrest bush'
i said 'why now'?
where was amnesty international for the past 10 years?
again i ask – 'why NOW'?
loving kindness
guy hawkins
Bush also helped sri lanka, in the name of war on terror, finally war on Tamil
Why UN failed to protect civilions?
http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorialopinion/article/1077263–how-to-revive-the-commonwealth
i didn’t say ‘why arrest bush’
i said ‘why now’?
where was amnesty international for the past 10 years?
again i ask – ‘why NOW’?
loving kindness
guy hawkins
http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/us-mus…
The link will bring you to an Amnesty blog from last year calling for the prosecution of George W. Bush. To the best of my knowledge a head of state cannot be prosecuted until after he has left office.l
http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/us-mus…
The link will bring you to an Amnesty blog from last year calling for the prosecution of George W. Bush. To the best of my knowledge a head of state cannot be prosecuted until after he has left office.l
http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/us-mus…
The link will bring you to an Amnesty blog from last year calling for the prosecution of George W. Bush. To the best of my knowledge a head of state cannot be prosecuted until after he has left office.l
http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/us-must-begin-criminal-investigation-torture-following-bush-admission-2010-11-10
The link will bring you to an Amnesty blog from last year calling for the prosecution of George W. Bush. To the best of my knowledge a head of state cannot be prosecuted until after he has left office.l
Dear Guy Hawkins,
You're right.
10 years is a long delay. Maybe even TOO long.
But if Amnesty joins the Peoples STILL calling for his arrest & prosecution TODAY, i may criticize the delay, but PRIMARILY WELCOME the call.
Bush is out of the White House, but he & his class aren't out of power.
They're the MOST POWERFUL class on earth, & the outcome of the fight against them is FAR FROM decided.
Amnesty has taken a step that's courageous & principled in my eyes.
This organization has limitations, like most.
But it's a pro – People body in general, respected for its work by progressives & even revolutionaries.
Everything has its own seasons of growth & ripening, & i find Amnesty's present one still timely.
My love & deep respects.
Dear Guy Hawkins,
You’re right.
10 years is a long delay. Maybe even TOO long.
But if Amnesty joins the Peoples STILL calling for his arrest & prosecution TODAY, i may criticize the delay, but PRIMARILY WELCOME the call.
Bush is out of the White House, but he & his class aren’t out of power.
They’re the MOST POWERFUL class on earth, & the outcome of the fight against them is FAR FROM decided.
Amnesty has taken a step that’s courageous & principled in my eyes.
This organization has limitations, like most.
But it’s a pro – People body in general, respected for its work by progressives & even revolutionaries.
Everything has its own seasons of growth & ripening, & i find Amnesty’s present one still timely.
My love & deep respects.
hello
the reason that this is coming out now is that the american empire is going to BE collapsed VERY SOON
it is being collapsed by the world government people
americans will not accept a sovereign authority ABOVE their own government so…
the american empire will be collapsed economically and then morally when the events of 911 are released
it will be like germany at the end of ww2 "how could you have not known"?
it is the reason that amnesty and ALL other 'lefty' media went along with the charade for so long 'both' sides are instruments to bring about world government http://the911riddle.ca
it was 10 years to collapse the soviet union and it is 10 years to collapse the american empire
americans will be in no position to refuse world government with ron paul either elected or designated president – obama will take the hit – america will collapse into an isolationist position around the 'constitution' UNDER a 'world' governing authority
loving kindness to you on a sunny day in vancouver
guy hawkins
hello
the reason that this is coming out now is that the american empire is going to BE collapsed VERY SOON
it is being collapsed by the world government people
americans will not accept a sovereign authority ABOVE their own government so…
the american empire will be collapsed economically and then morally when the events of 911 are released
it will be like germany at the end of ww2 "how could you have not known"?
it is the reason that amnesty and ALL other 'lefty' media went along with the charade for so long 'both' sides are instruments to bring about world government http://the911riddle.ca
it was 10 years to collapse the soviet union and it is 10 years to collapse the american empire
americans will be in no position to refuse world government with ron paul either elected or designated president – obama will take the hit – america will collapse into an isolationist position around the 'constitution' UNDER a 'world' governing authority
loving kindness to you on a sunny day in vancouver
guy hawkins
hello
the reason that this is coming out now is that the american empire is going to BE collapsed VERY SOON
it is being collapsed by the world government people
americans will not accept a sovereign authority ABOVE their own government so…
the american empire will be collapsed economically and then morally when the events of 911 are released
it will be like germany at the end of ww2 "how could you have not known"?
it is the reason that amnesty and ALL other 'lefty' media went along with the charade for so long 'both' sides are instruments to bring about world government http://the911riddle.ca
it was 10 years to collapse the soviet union and it is 10 years to collapse the american empire
americans will be in no position to refuse world government with ron paul either elected or designated president – obama will take the hit – america will collapse into an isolationist position around the 'constitution' UNDER a 'world' governing authority
loving kindness to you on a sunny day in vancouver
guy hawkins
hello
the reason that this is coming out now is that the american empire is going to BE collapsed VERY SOON
it is being collapsed by the world government people
americans will not accept a sovereign authority ABOVE their own government so…
the american empire will be collapsed economically and then morally when the events of 911 are released
it will be like germany at the end of ww2 “how could you have not known”?
it is the reason that amnesty and ALL other ‘lefty’ media went along with the charade for so long ‘both’ sides are instruments to bring about world government http://the911riddle.ca
it was 10 years to collapse the soviet union and it is 10 years to collapse the american empire
americans will be in no position to refuse world government with ron paul either elected or designated president – obama will take the hit – america will collapse into an isolationist position around the ‘constitution’ UNDER a ‘world’ governing authority
loving kindness to you on a sunny day in vancouver
guy hawkins
Those of us in the reality based community look in awe at Amnesty's continuing descent into crack-addled madness. Given that the US is Canada's most important trading and political partner and is also not a party to the ICC, how exactly is this arrest going to happen?
As Judonimh says, if Canada's going to arrest Bush 2, they also have to arrest Obama. Still if this action fails, perhaps Amnesty could hire itself to Hollywood writing comedy scripts.
hello mango
canada is a signatory to the icc
either we have facts and justice or we have a world run by war lords
i'm on the side of facts and justice and look forward to an uprising to displace our (the world's) psychopathic leadership.
loving kindness from me to you on a rainy night in starbucks
guy hawkins
Those of us in the reality based community look in awe at Amnesty’s continuing descent into crack-addled madness. Given that the US is Canada’s most important trading and political partner and is also not a party to the ICC, how exactly is this arrest going to happen?
As Judonimh says, if Canada’s going to arrest Bush 2, they also have to arrest Obama. Still if this action fails, perhaps Amnesty could hire itself to Hollywood writing comedy scripts.
hello mango
canada is a signatory to the icc
either we have facts and justice or we have a world run by war lords
i’m on the side of facts and justice and look forward to an uprising to displace our (the world’s) psychopathic leadership.
loving kindness from me to you on a rainy night in starbucks
guy hawkins
Dear Guy,
Welcome to the real world, run by superpowers 🙂
Canada is a member of the ICC.
The USA is NOT a member of the ICC.
So, how's Canada going to enforce a ruling on country which does not recognise the court?
Cheers!
Dear Guy,
Welcome to the real world, run by superpowers 🙂
Canada is a member of the ICC.
The USA is NOT a member of the ICC.
So, how’s Canada going to enforce a ruling on country which does not recognise the court?
Cheers!
If Amnesty thinks that they have enough evidence to go to trial – Why doesn't it prosecute in the USA ? This is the first time I'm ashamed of being a member in this organization
If Amnesty thinks that they have enough evidence to go to trial – Why doesn’t it prosecute in the USA ? This is the first time I’m ashamed of being a member in this organization