The Torture Gambit

Nearly seven years after 9/11, the U.S. homeland hasn't been struck again and American civil liberties remain intact. So how does Congress say "thank you"? By trying to ruin the men who in good faith set the legal rules that have kept us safe.

That's the political story unfolding in Washington, as Democrats fire up their latest round of "torture" hearings. Prevented from trying to impeach President Bush by cooler heads, House Judiciary Chairman John Conyers has resorted to issuing subpoenas to assail current and former officials for allowing aggressive interrogations of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and other murderers. About 60 Democrats, including Mr. Conyers, are demanding that Attorney General Michael Mukasey appoint a "special prosecutor" to investigate.

Having failed to force a withdrawal from Iraq and with Iraq now turning into a success, Democrats need a different line of attack to please their antiwar supporters.

That is precisely what is going on here. The move to subject anyone within reach to an international war crimes trial is a subtle acknowledgment on the part of the promoters that no such trial (for which actual evidence might have to be produced) is likely of success in the United States. One simply switches the venue to a more sympathetic environment, one in which the standards of proof are somewhat more plastic to put it charitably.

These tribunals must convict, just as all such show trials must, and for the same reason - to do so is to solidify the power to do so, to refuse is to risk losing it. That is hardly an objective point of view, but then it is hardly an objective tribunal.

It's all nonsense in any case. Should Obama or whoever allow Bush and/or members of his administration to be tried in any international court he may be assured that precisely such a fate awaits him, on equally trumped-up charges if not for worse. That's why we don't do that.

No surprise. The Dems have actively sided to give aid and comfort to our nation’s enemies for decades.

But the Repubs have lacked the guts to call treason for what it is.

Small wonder the USA is racing towards degeneracy and fascism/socialism.

Conyers and Levin......proving there is a need for the terms “asshole” and “traitorous sonuvabitch” when describing some Congress Critters...

The nation is certainly insane that these feckless imbeciles retain PUBLIC OFFICE and avoid prison or worse....

You are correct! These two have screamed for years about their bringing impeachments, special prosecutors, gov’t investigations upon those who politically disagree with them.

Their score to date: Zero

Detestable old gasbags!

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.