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Bush Can’t Travel Abroad Without Risking Arrest
George W. Bush better stay at home.
The confessed waterboarder is a marked man. If he travels abroad, other countries can—and should—nab him and try him for the crime of torture.
In his memoir and in last week’s NBC interview, Bush acknowledged ordering waterboarding.
He says the lawyers told him it wasn’t torture. But he got bad legal advice.
Attorney General Eric Holder has recognized waterboarding as torture. So has the State Department, as the great civil liberties Bill Quigley points out at the Center for Constitutional Rights.
Given that, Holder has an obligation to press charges against the former president. But neither Holder nor his boss has the guts to do that. And what a shame that is!
Prosecutors in other countries, however, may not be so spineless. “Under international law, anyone involved in torture must be brought to justice, and that does not exclude former President George W. Bush,” said Claudio Cordone, senior director of Amnesty International.
“If his admission is substantiated, the USA has the obligation to prosecute him,” Cordone said, adding ominously: “In the absence of a U.S. investigation, other states must step in and carry out such an investigation themselves.”
Under the Geneva Conventions and the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, countries that have ratified the accords have a binding obligation to exercise jurisdiction over those accused of grave breaches. (See “Stripping Rumsfeld and Bush of Impunity,”)
So if I were Bush (and what a horrifying thought that is!), I’d cancel those plans to visit Spain or Germany or any other country where some prosecutor, somewhere, respects international law.
- Posted in
44 Comments so far
Show All"Prosecutors in other countries, however, may not be so spineless. "
We've heard this before. Never gonna happen.
"So if I were Bush (and what a horrifying thought that is!), I’d cancel those plans to visit Spain or Germany or any other country where some prosecutor, somewhere, respects international law."
Like Bush ever cared about any other country than the ones he could identify on the 'Risk' game board. Oh and the ones with lots of o'l, he knows about them too, he he
you are a willing accomplice to his crimes. you can't travel abroad without risking arrest. wanna try your luck?
"you are a willing accomplice to his crimes. "
Excuse me?
go back to your own writings. you are a perfect fit in the Bushite empire game. your platitude of "i'm pro-people" doesn't make you pro-people.
Not trying to make too many friends I take it.
He needs help.
So true, SS! ...But, which way forward?
I'll cut to the chase: Hunger, oppression, and war are an integral part of capitalism. Though progressive compared to feudalism, it has become the cancer of humanity in modern times, and must be overthrown by international communist revolution. To do this, the critical action for today is the formation and growth of a popular Leninist revolutionary vanguard party. In theory and practice, no other humanitarian and scientific approaches exist: Join/lead/build/support the party of world socialism!
I'm more of a New-Deal kinda guy than a Leninist (he also has a real bad rep here, and its a steep uphill battle convincing people otherwise).
We still definitely need people to keep the workers struggle going strong, so I support your cause so long as it stays anti-authoritarian.
Cheers Comrade
Yeah, Trotsky had Lenin all wrong.
I wouldn't be so sure. We've seen a number of cases in which Israeli officials either cancelled travel plans or stayed on a plane and headed back to "Israel." We will probably never see an apprehension and arrest, but you better believe that these guys are getting briefed by defense attorneys.
peacekeepertwo ; If Federal Prosecuters were to go after George W Bush for War Crimes,The world might have a much more favorable Veiw of the USA. The single act of Prosecuting George W Bush could undo much of Damage Caused By the War on Terror. Muslims may decide not all Americans deserve to Die.
Well, let me see: Obama and Holder won't prosecute, so that makes them accomplices to the crime for trying to cover it up, right?
Here's some irony: the Republicans could impeach Obama for the crime of covering up for Bush! Airtight case.
That'ed be pretty funny, huh!
"Under the Geneva Conventions and the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, countries that have ratified the accords have a binding obligation to exercise jurisdiction over those accused of grave breaches."
So, if we have ratified these accords, and Obama refuses to exercise his obligation under them, then he IS guilty of a "serous offense" and should be impeached, no?
Interesting that Rothschild doesn't raise this issue, but that doesn't surprise me - in the end he is a "lesser evilist" and no matter how bad a Dem is, he will not "abandon" him.
i got fed up with "The Progressive" some time ago ....
ok, so tell me which country is going to risk US bombardment and invasion, not to mention US economic warfare, by arresting the horrid little retard?
The US invades only countries that can't defend themselves.
Under no circumstances would the US invade France, England, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Finland.
Who's to say who would or would not push the button? Many countries are no doubt sick of the US riding roughshod over international law---sick to death.
"The US invades only countries that can't defend themselves."
Mmmmmm, yes and no. Vietnam defended itself pretty good. It might be slightly more accurate to say that the US invades only countries whose population consists of people of color.
And this tendency isn't new. FDR didn't intern any German-Americans did he?
The US Empire didn't invade Vietnam; it took over as the primary Colonial Occupier from the French.
I suggest that China might be good for this, although I would rather they make an example of a Wall Street bankster or maybe a Secretary of Treasury.
I don't think if he got arrested say, in France ,that we would invade France. We would most likely let the world Justice System work it out. Most Americans know that Bush commited crimes against humanity, and would be greateful to have him finnaly recieving Justice. If we did go to war to protect Bush, then I think we deserve being blown to bits. Trying to rescue a monster doesn't make much sense, and would only make us monsters too. Once they started bringing in his victoms to tell thier chilling stories, it would not take long for the whole world to join in with hoping, and helping the conviction of him, and his cronies. Anyone that thinks he is above the law, needs an education, and some sense.
An optimistic article, but pure rainbow-sunshine-leprecaun-dreaminess I'm afraid. For starters, Bush very rarely ever travelled outside the U.S. before becoming Pres - it takes an interest in foreign cultures to be an international traveler, and we know Bush has the IQ and attention span of a coffee table, and views most foreigners as subhuman - and I doubt that his being restricted to the U.S. for the rest of his life would be a big deal to him now. Not that I think any other country would ever grow the balls to prosecute him - they won't - but even if I'm wrong, it won't matter. And that's a shame.
"When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag, carrying a cross."
"George W. Bush better stay home"?
A lot he'd care!!
other countries would, could, and should.
many (kissinger and other zionist criminals) have been restricted by real attempts.
but they won't because it will be unnecessary soon, as the empire will implode onto itself.
Indeed, they would, could and should, but as we recently saw in the UK when Straw allowed Pinochet to return home, they rarely do. But yes, I agree, what we are seeing now is the last hoorah of a dieing empire.
If the great imperial seat of power won't deal with its own war criminals, why on earth would anyone else (other than the victims themselves) stick their necks out?
And in the latter case, why wait for him to travel voluntarily beyond his sanctuary? The Jews didn't wait for Eichmann to leave Argentina on his own, and Bush must be responsible for at least as many crimes against humanity. The Nazis only started one holocaust at a time.
God said "Vengeance is Mine" so things may work out just fine in the end and all we have to worry about is ourselves. Think about the people that have been executed and later proved innocent. It follows that some guilty will be spared what they deserve and there is little we can do about those actions except try to use our influence to make things better.
Delightful thoughts. But why can't he be arrested here, where the loonies let him loose in the first place?
I believe that George Bush never traveled abroad before he became President, so he doesn't have much to worry about, after all, here at home President Obama protects him.
Another example where the comments make better reading than the article. Thanks to you all.
When the people fear their government there is tyranny,
when the government fears the people there is liberty.
~ Thomas Jefferson
Writing comments better than Matthew Rothschild's wishful commentaries is no great feat. His ugly smearing of Norman Finkelstein, who was up for tenure at the time, should serve as a signal of his politics. Here's an article by a longtime reader of the magazine edited by Rothschild, The Progressive:
----
The Progressive Magazine's Shame
12.17.2006 | OpEdNews.com
By Michael Leon
Madison, Wisconsin - In mid-December after reading the latest attempt to shut down a critic of Israeli militarism by branding Jimmy Carter as someone with a "Jewish problem" (see Jimmy Carter's Jewish Problem, December 13, 2006), I took the liberty of posting an opposing point of view here by Norman Finkelstein, using his previously published Counterpunch piece (The Media Lynching of Jimmy Carter, December 13, 2006).
Just perusing Finkelstein's website this weekend, I came across more similar sliming and branding, but this time by editors of Madison's The Progressive Magazine, from an affair this summer that went virtually unreported.
The Progressive Magazine
The Progressive Magazine rightfully bills itself as a "leading voice for peace and social justice since 1909."
Published in Madison, Wisconsin, The Progressive is a direct descendent of the 20th century progressive movement and its icon Senator Robert M LaFollette, "Fighting Bob," who founded the magazine as "La Follette's Weekly Magazine" in 1909.
This last July, the magazine with so storied a history—including heroic opposition to Wisconsin Senator Joe McCarthy in the 1950s and riveting exposes of U.S. foreign and domestic policy in the 1970 and 80's—has disgraced itself, betraying the memory of LaFollette, Sam Day and the great pacifist journalist, Erwin Knoll (editor 1973-1994).
On Wisconsin Public Radio this last summer, Ruth Conniff, The Progressive's political editor, had blithely (in response to another guest's comment) referred to Norman Finkelstein as a "Holocaust denier, who is a Holocaust minimizer...," and "...a celebrity in a certain, a pretty ugly anti-Semitic group in the country..."
The Jewish Finkelstein
The Jewish Finkelstein, whose parents are survivors of the Maidanek and Auschwitz concentration camps, is an outspoken critic of Israeli foreign policy and a prolific writer on what he contends (convincingly) are the misuses of The Holocaust (and anti-Semitism) by defenders of Israeli foreign policy.
A brilliant and acerbic writer, Finkelstein writes with the passion one might expect from someone whose parents were brutalized by the Nazis and those Germans who did nothing to prevent the Holocaust.
As innocent Palestinian families and Palestinian communities are destroyed by Israel (supported by the U.S.), Finkelstein is not one to remain silent and do nothing. He feels passionately a personal responsibility to speak out and furiously challenge militarism, especially that violence committed in the name of Judaism.
Finkelstein has never denied or minimized the atrocity that brutalized his parents. He just says it's obscene to use the atrocity to support militarism and state violence, among other misuses.
For his work, Finkelstein, predictably, is a primary target of American and Israeli right-wingers and others dedicated to a militaristic Israeli foreign policy.
The Progressive Channels McCarthy
But I was shocked that the editors of The Progressive would join in this chorus, rather through accident or reaction.
Finkelstein had phoned and e-mailed The Progressive's editor, Matt Rothschild, and Rothschild, rather than knock down Conniff's comments and affirm that Finkelstein is no Holocaust minimizer, leapt to Conniff's defense in a long e-mail.
In part, Rothschild wrote, "...Ruth's fleeting statements of opinion about you were accurate, they were extremely mild in comparison to other criticism you have received, and she in no way acted with any malice toward you."
So, apparently it's okay to brand someone a "Holocaust minimizer," provided others have also done so in a more vituperative fashion.
Rothschild never actually grapples with Finkelstein's well-supported arguments that are laid out in his several books.
What Rothschild does instead is present dangling, out-of-context sentences that purportedly support his conclusion.
Matt Rothschild writes an excellent column entitled "McCarthyism Watch." But as no retraction has been made in the some five months since this affair, I have to suggest that Matt Rothschild look in the mirror.
On his website, Finkelstein asks: "Should decent people subscribe to The Progressive?"
Absent a retraction, I cannot answer "yes."
As Israeli and Bush militarism in the Middle East continues unabated, with an even more horrific prognosis, any journal that lets stand this sliming of a man of conscience deserves no more support from the progressive community.
I think Joe McCarthy would be smiling approvingly these last few months.
----
Michael Leon is a writer living in Madison, Wisconsin. His writing has appeared nationally in The Progressive, In These Times, and CounterPunch. He can be reached at maleon64@yahoo.com.
http://www.normanfinkelstein.com/article.php?ar=67&pg=3
As if.
European countries were starting to bridle under fascist searches at airports. Then, mirable dictu, a printer cartridge filled with explosives was discovered on its way to the U.S.
Suddenly, European countries embraced fascist searches at airports. Extra added bonus was that said printer cartridge originated from a country in which the U.S. is exerting "full spectrum dominance."
Get a grip. George W. Bush could fly to just about any country in the world and publicly urinate in the halls of their government if he wanted to. It's all about money.
Not sayin' it'll last forever, or even very long. Just sayin'.
While Bush should be prosecuted, he's already thought of that scenario. Congress backed him up when he asked for a bill to INVADE THE HAGUE if the USA was ever threatened with prosecuting WAR CRIMES against senior officials. Referred to as the "HAGUE INVASION ACT", the objective is truly one of a kind. Have a look for yourself!!
http://www.democracynow.org/2002/8/6/hague_invasion_act_bush_signs_a
Thanks for the link, roberts, I remember that now and was boiling to the point it is good for my health that I blocked it out.
This is evidence that he and his lawyer knew they are criminals.
Now that NATO is pushing to fight in Afghanistan beyond 2015, any acknowledgment of this would make NATO and the US Congress officially accessories and lackeys to the Criminals too.
The Bush Crime Family always has more to give. They are the best Masters of War Crimes in the world and deceit is there method.
I will be a proud American again when Bush is tried for war crimes. Not planning on being proud of this country any time soon.
I'm not sure but I think there is an arrest warrant out on him by the State of Vermont for the very same thing.....But, for those who still carry a torch for the Moron, don't worry he'll probably have no reason to go to Vermont!
Is there a courageous District Attorney in America willing to prosecute Bush/Cheney?
Former Attorney General, Ramsey Clark is still trying to get it done.
I'd think he might worry about penalties more severe. Many, many millions of Iraqis, Afghans, and other victims of his war crimes probably want to see him dead, judicially or otherwise.
All this nashing of teeth and furrowing of brow over talk of prosecuting Bush is getting tiresome, you should of done it long ago... after he stole the first election, but nothing happened... except he got to do it again, and in the process trampled your constitution into the dirt, emptied the American coffers, sent thousands of Americans to a needless death, pumped up the bank accounts of his cronies, broke international and domestic laws, failed misserablly at dealing with Katrina, etc.etc. and all the while being the worst president in history. THEN he has the balls to rub your collective noses in it by pimping a book about it all, this administration stunk from the get go and you all let it happen, the founding fathers and patriots that put there life on the line for there freedom and libertys must be trully dissgusted with what has become of America and its citizens, you let this moron run amuck and now you are all crying about it, grow some balls and regain your freedoms and a little bit of integrity at the same time, either get on with prosecuting him or shut up about it, the fact that nothing is going to be done about this shows just what a grip this govt. has ...."a govt. for the pepole by the pepole"..... a nice concept but one that hasnt been seen in years or ever will be again, your country is run by gansters and high priced lawyers bending and twisting the laws to suit there needs, its trully incredible.
Okay so I take it this is not your country ? If it is not your country then don't worry about it, don't read the articles, don't come here...if we want to talk about it we can. Millions of us have never approved of Bush, and his gang, so it's not all of our fault. Plus many have tried to go after him, but so far we have failed. However things will change, and we will get some Justice, and after 80 million of us wake-up, we will show the world....but if you are sick of us... then go home. Please don't bother complaining about us complaining....that is stupid on top of stupid !
yeah like 80 million of you are about to wake up now.... i dont think so, and if its not your fault whos is it? its easy to pass the buck... thats why you are where you are now, and i wouldnt mind it if i was only just reading about it but what happens in your country affects the whole world in case you didnt notice, the list of countries invaded or attacked by your govt. and its 80 million sleepy heads is long and trully criminall, but its ok go ahead continue to sleep in ..you will wake up when the shackells tighten a bit more,..... then you can show the world....
Maybe the most that can be hoped for is that Bush be repeatedly embarrassed by turning down one invitation after another to go to another country to be presented with an award for, say, increasing funding for AIDS prevention in Africa (something for which he actually deserves credit). Wouldn't it be fun to watch his verbal gymnastics (never a strength) as he explained why he could not attend?