This is pretty serious stuff that the American public surely would like more details on. Can we expect the MSM to follow up on this with some questions? Probably not, but they need to.
Marc Ambinder notes how the Democratic Justice Department will be interested in making a case against senior Bush adminstration officials in the future.
Thomas Lifson reminds us of Obama’s take on this:
Barack Obama’s plan for imposing unity on the nation after he takes office apparently entails a close look at war crimes trials for Bush administration officials. He has even said so in an interview with Will Bunch of the Philadelphia Daily News.
This kind of change — putting your predecessors on trial for their conduct of policy — may not be what most Americans really want or expect from someone with Obama’s gauzy rhetoric of unity. But unity has a dark side in the hands of people who regard their opponents as criminals. America has two centuries-plus of history lacking the totalitarian practice of jailing the predecessors when a new president takes office.
This is the sort of proposal one might expect from a man steeped in Marxism at his church, from his friends like Ayers, and as a member of the Alinsky Left. But I am surprised he let this slip.
Obama said that as president he would indeed ask his new Attorney General and his deputies to “immediately review the information that’s already there” and determine if an inquiry is warranted — but he also tread carefully on the issue, in line with his reputation for seeking to bridge the partisan divide. He worried that such a probe could be spun as “a partisan witch hunt.” However, he said that equation changes if there was willful criminality, because “nobody is above the law.”
Charles Johnson takes a screen cap from Obama’s website of this PDF that also mentions this and notes:
And something tells me they don’t mean Al Qaeda.
I’m pretty sure we aren’t talking about Ramsey Clark either. Expect to hear zip on this from the MSM.
—John Stephenson is editor of Stop The ACLU.
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Polls vs MSM
June 9, 2008 - 14:42 ET by okiehawk44I continue to be amazed at the MSM's total lack of balance when discussing anything political. I point to the polls that show half of those planning on voting this year in the general election will vote Democrat and about the same planning on voting for McCain.
Listening to the media you would think America is split something like 98% to 1% with 1% undecided (majority is, of course, for BHO)
Now BHO is ready to put on trial our former leader? Whoa there BO! You better bring it if that's your plan brother. There are more than a few of us out here that may not like McCain and we may not fully support Bush anymore but you are far from having the "nads" to pull off such a thing. Your gall is only outdone by your choice of friends and cohorts.
If Obama wins, and if he
June 9, 2008 - 14:58 ET by USA4freedomIf Obama wins, and if he does this type of thing the nation, (other then the left wing loons) will despise him for it. The press will never be able to spin it any other way then petty politics. Most of America knows that it’s off sides to go against the last President in a time of war. Well except if you are Bill Clinton or Jummmmy Carter.
My hope is that Obama will be another Carter, and maybe, we can get the Republican Party to pull their heads out of their A$$.
Remember vote all RINO’s out and work for all conservatives, give money to them.
The RNC aka..(DNC, lite) can bite me.
Oh yea, I’m one those 1 in 10 that does not support Mc Lame.
Ronald Reagan, 1962: I did not leave the Democratic party, the party left me.
Insert: your name, 2008, and the Republican party.
Romney / Jendil 2012 (if,we survive)
You think the nation will
June 9, 2008 - 17:17 ET by mrsimeleYou think the nation will despise him? Really? Wow, you just don't get it do you. Many people feel like the Bush administration and the war in Iraq are complete failures. Many people want to hold somebody liable for $4.50/gallon fuel that is likely to increase to $6/gallon this summer. No wonder Obama is gaining so much support.
mrs... Many people know
June 9, 2008 - 17:28 ET by bigtimermrs...
Many people know exactly who to hold responsible for the gas prices....I just wished a real conservative would run on that fact...along with illegal immigration and defense of this country against terrorists and many people would vote for that person...
....AND WIN!
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Wilson
Obama's Support?
June 9, 2008 - 18:28 ET by rammingspeedObama ended the primaries on a downturn, and exit polls showed that at least 50% of the voters said they don't trust him. The lack of oil/gasoline and nuclear power that would have avoided the current energy crisis is clearly the democrat's fault - Clinton vetoed the ANWAR drilling law passed by the senate in '95. They also stand in the way of drilling anywhere else near the US, in the name of their cockamamie environmentalist stand, and this is beginning to come out more and more. Get yourself educated, at least a little.
Mrs..you stated.. “Many
June 9, 2008 - 18:48 ET by USA4freedomMrs..you stated..
“Many people want to hold some body liable for $4.50/gallon fuel that is likely to increase to $6/gallon this summer.”
And you tell me that I.. just don’t get it??
How about your friends the environmentalist?
Or the oil speculators?
Or the price of the barrel of crude?
Or the fact that we cant drill in the U.S. including off of our shores even if China and Cuba can..
Or the fact that China and India is using a lot more oil then they use to?
So since I don’t get it explain it to me.. how is Obama going to lower prices?
Drill for oil?
Build more refineries?
Build more nuclear power plants?
Charm the Sheiks with his clever speeches?
He has told us: "We can't drive our SUVs and eat as much as we want and keep our homes on 72degrees at all times ... and then just expect that other countries are going to say OK,"
So I guess we will get the world’s OK to have an extra Big Mac, or drive my truck or keep cool in my own house?
Maybe Saint Obama call the angles come down from heaven and fill our tanks?
Maybe have Maxine Waters take over the oil industry?
http://hotair.com/archives/2008/05/22/video-maxine-waters-threatens-to-nationalize-americas-oil-industry/
So tell me..
Because I just don’t get it.. how is Obama going to lower the price of OIL???
OH THAT’S RIGHT TAX THEM. That always lowers prices..
Explain it to all of us? I sure all of us would like to be enlightened.
Ronald Reagan, 1962: I did not leave the Democratic party, the party left me.
Insert: your name, 2008, and the Republican party.
Romney / Jendil 2012 (if,we survive)
I want to know more!
June 9, 2008 - 15:00 ET by blogonatorI want to know why the war crimes investigation hasn't started yet. You can't pardon someone who hasn't been convicted of a crime, and unless something happens quick, all of the Bushies who orchestrated the torture of terrorism suspects in our custody are going to lose their best hope at avoiding prison. How come the MSM isn't pushing Bush more on this issue?
Please prove your charge
June 9, 2008 - 15:31 ET by BDPlease prove your charge that torture was conducted by the US during this administration.
You can start here:
June 9, 2008 - 15:56 ET by blogonatorhttp://abcnews.go.co...
Then you can follow up with this:
http://abcnews.go.com/print?id=4583256
Pretty substantial stuff. We waterboard. People at the highest levels of the Bush administration know about it, yea they coordinated it.
This is also of interest, and pops right up when you Google 'enhanced interrogation':
http://andrewsulliva...
Red Cross
June 9, 2008 - 16:11 ET by DontFeedTheTrollsDon't forget to indict the Red Cross as they have been monitoring Guantanamo and it's prisoners 24/7 since before the prisons were built.
D
Keep the ILLEGALS out, join NumbersUSA to send free faxes to your reps.
I don't think the Red Cross is the problem
June 9, 2008 - 16:20 ET by blogonatorhttp://www.washingto...
"The human rights group decried tactics used on some detainees --
including severe temperatures, loud music and other sounds, the sharing
of medical information with interrogators, and forced nudity -- that it
said violate international rules against torture adopted by the United
States and other countries."
That was back in 2004. The Red Cross can't be blamed if the current administration showed no interest in bringing their torture proponents to justice.
Sooo, blog...now hot and
June 9, 2008 - 16:37 ET by bassndudeSooo, blog...now hot and cold, loud music and sounds and nudity are torture?? How do you figure? Sounds to me like you need to indite Mother Nature, teenagers and all of the Las Vegas dancing girls.
Save a SeAL, club a liberal!!
Hey
June 9, 2008 - 16:46 ET by bigtimerHey bass...
....ROFLMAO!
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Wilson
BT, glad you liked it.
June 9, 2008 - 16:51 ET by bassndudeBT, glad you liked it. Strange as it sounds, it is true.
Save a SeAL, club a liberal!!
It's only funny till it happens to you
June 9, 2008 - 17:03 ET by blogonatorI think you're a bit confused. Torture is not the changing of the seasons. Torture is not you enjoying a Skynrd concert. Torture is not you at the titty bar either.
Let me see if I can give you a good example of torture. Hmmm... How about: Torture is being placed in a 50 degree cell naked while Eminem is played on repeat at high volume.
Unless you enjoy that sort of thing.
Only pansies would call
June 9, 2008 - 17:07 ET by bigtimerOnly pansies would call that torture blogo.
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Wilson
Pansies and you too if you had to put up with it
June 9, 2008 - 17:14 ET by blogonatorI love the tough guy rhetoric, by the way. Very convincing. Should we whip out our genitals now to settle who's got the bigger pair, or does that happen later in the debate?
Oh cute blogo... You know
June 9, 2008 - 17:23 ET by bigtimerOh cute blogo...
You know nothing about me or my life...but one thing for sure, I can guarantee you if that was all that happened in about a six year period of my life, I would of been very, very, grateful.
Carry on little wussified troll...as you always do.
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Wilson
When I read your posts I
June 9, 2008 - 17:13 ET by Dan The Man 2When I read your posts I imagine teh torture you go through twisting and turning to meet a definition. That is not torture, it is a technique to break ones mental resolve and to disorient them so taht they give up information they would not do otherwise. It is not 24/7 and does not leave any lasting physical dmage and probably no mental scars eitehr.
These are by teh Geneva articles spys and sabatuers and under teh conventions we may use pretty much any means that does not permantly injure them. We may keep them incommunicado and do not have to acknowlege their location of provide them with what we would provide POW's.
Read teh GC sometime, it is an enlightening but boring read.
Nuke em til they glow then shoot em in the dark.
Of course that's the point
June 9, 2008 - 17:25 ET by blogonatorWe don't torture for sadistic pleasure, or at least that's not the principle reason. We torture to extract information, however useful or useless it may be. Break them. Mentally, physically. Ideally, there's no lasting physical damage because that's easier to identify as abuse. Mental damage is a trickier thing to pin down. But if you're willing to state torture of the kind we engage in doesn't damage someone's mind, I hope you're willing to deny the existence of PTSD in our troops coming back from Iraq. Those soldiers aren't exposed to stress positions and stressful situations 24/7 either.
Blogo
June 9, 2008 - 19:19 ET by afuelI'm all in favor of torture, lite em up as far as I'm concerned.
Peace thru strength.
No wussies apply or needed.
Substantial ONLY
June 9, 2008 - 16:27 ET by DEVILDOCMOMif you consider the msn fair. Besides, I do not consider waterboarding torture and I bet many Americans agree with me. I leave RINO's out of this.
In the end, it's not a matter of opinion
June 9, 2008 - 16:57 ET by blogonatorWaterboarding is simulated drowning. That and all forms of torture are against US law.
http://www.law.corne...
Lawbreakers should be punished. President Bush and the MSM need to stop being so soft on crime.
'enhanced interrogation'?
June 9, 2008 - 16:35 ET by bassndude'enhanced interrogation'? Where is the word torture in that phrase?
Save a SeAL, club a liberal!!
This kind of rhetoric
June 9, 2008 - 15:15 ET by Free ThinkerThis kind of rhetoric certainly adds to Obama's leftist credentials, but it would ultimately backfire. Does any rational person really believe any war crimes have been committed? Why have there been no charges to date? <crickets> War crimes is code for I'm a fringe loon who is unable to debate policy in a manner above third grade name calling.
Umnn, No
June 9, 2008 - 16:15 ET by tazzUmnn, No
Like I said under another
June 9, 2008 - 17:12 ET by Chris NormanLike I said under another post, liberals and radicals (like Obama) are intent on tearing down institutions and practices that have have made and kept us free, successful, and a republic.
There's No Case
June 9, 2008 - 18:34 ET by rammingspeedThe "war crimes" aspect of the Bush administration has been investigated 6 ways from Sunday by every type of investigative organization you can think of. They've gotten nothing; that's why it isn't in the headlines today. Obama is playing to the wacko left base. If he is elected and starts a witch hunt, he'll pay dearly.
It would also bolster claims that he is a Marxist who would destroy his predecessors and presumed "enemies" in order to cement his power.
War crimes
June 9, 2008 - 19:24 ET by iveseenitallSo Obama wants to prosecute Bush adminisration officials for "war crimes". Sounds like a communist regime change. Obama is a communist, his "associates" are communists. This is scary stuff. What else will he pull, suspension of all "free" elections?
Who is Barry Sotero?
NEVER,NEVER trust a "liberal"
Ives... It all makes
June 9, 2008 - 19:34 ET by Clear thinkerIves...
It all makes perfect sense to me. Go to the link and you will understand.
http://www.nationmakers.com/com_goals.htm
"Abstain from McCain"
Putin
June 9, 2008 - 19:59 ET by iveseenitallCT. I hope it begins to dawn on the American people before it is too late. Putin maintains power. The new guy, M., is lecturing us about our economy. The warnings are all around us. Here's more:
... an appeal to idealistic motivations, to a "bright new world" where justice , peace , and freedom will replace strife, injustice, and inhumanity.
...communism, with its deceitful double talk exploits these basic human yearnings for better social conditions, racial equality, justice, and peace and places them in the service of tyranny...
... in this way...communists are able to entice free men to fight for slavery in the name of freedom... Hoover, 1957
And the MSN in America is the new Pravda.
Who is Barry Sotero?
NEVER,NEVER trust a "liberal
ives... When I read the
June 9, 2008 - 19:59 ET by Clear thinkerives...
When I read the 45 commie goals, I tend to take a wider view of it.
It's nothing more than a recipe to follow for any country and any liberal that thinks we as a nation should be brought to our knees. Yes, the Ruskies need to be watched, but so do the Chi-Coms, demented Islamists, etc. The ones I worry about the most are the liberals that keep screwing up our country from within.
"Abstain from McCain"
CT
June 9, 2008 - 20:04 ET by iveseenitallI agree, CT. The enemy within is the most dangerous of all! Never trust a "liberal".
Who is Barry Sotero?
NEVER,NEVER trust a "liberal"
Good point, but...
June 9, 2008 - 20:32 ET by ChesterBogusThis little bit has been circulating for a long, long time: http://www.rense.com...
I don't know if it's legit or not, but it rings true with my understanding of history, so I take it as legit. Obama's ideas might line up with your list of Communist ideals, but Bush has long been in line with fascist ideas.
Notice anything familiar?
2: Disdain for the recognition of human rights. (Because waterboarding is just like a swimming lesson, and, hey, my kids play loud music while I'm in the shower all the time!)
3: Identification of enemies/scapegoats as unifying cause. ("You're either with us or against us.")
4: Supremacy of the military. (Support the troops or you're a TRAITOR. )
7: Obsession with national security. ("Orange Alert!")
8: Religion and government are intertwined. ("I talk to God," Bush once told us.)
9: Corporate power is protected. (Blackwater, Sept. 17th 2007)
13: Rampant cronyism and corruption. (FEMA?)
Of course, you're probably thinking that this tired meme has been repeated over and over and over again. "Bush is a fascist! We've lost freedoms!" We all know Bush isn't a fascist leader, nor have we really lost all that much freedom under him - and we also know Obama isn't a Communist. So we could both put away our lists and stop name calling...
Yawn.
June 9, 2008 - 20:37 ET by BlondeSo, you are worried about your kids' futures, huh?
Please, very specifically....spell out for me which freedom you have lost under President Bush?
Which or what?
But, remember, it's on you...to be specific.
David Gregory, do you know which damn network you lie for? ~ Uncle Jimbo, @Blackfive
CBogus.... Say
June 9, 2008 - 20:38 ET by bigtimerCBogus....
Say what?!
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Wilson
Could This Be...
June 10, 2008 - 10:42 ET by Wildcatter1980...simple pandering to the far left loons and that BO will only pay "lip service" to it once he does get in?
He has opposed the Iraq War all the while keeping the prerogative to "adjust" his position if the information warrants once he is in office. It is "easy" for him to say at this time he will have his AG "look into" the prior administration only to quietly let it drop later on.
Sadly, I think you may be right
June 10, 2008 - 11:05 ET by blogonatorIf Obama gets to the White House, he's got plenty of outs that he can use to justify letting it drop. He will be the president in a new administration! Who really thinks he will be so consumed with "reliving the battles of yesterday"? I'm not convinced.
In the end this is a very neutral statement from Obama deserving only a raised eyebrow. The issue of torture and war crimes being perpetrated in our names and against our laws deserves less petty talk of this kind and more concrete action.