Prosecute Bush and Cheney
I believe that it is our duty as Americans but more importantly human beings to start really creating a lot of clammer to president to Obama to start investigating the wrong doings in the Bush years. I saw the news today but it was also said that they weren't planning on handing out jail time just looking over it. That is ridiculous no man is above the law and a criminal of that magnitude needs to be severely punished. If we do not act I guarantee we will see future presidents break the law in such a way, and this is unacceptable. Also we should really pressure sites such as moveon.org to get a petition going to really go after Bush and have them do radio ads to spread the message. Obama has said he needs his base to push him on important issues and this is definitely one of those extremely important issues. So lets act on it asap.
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I am in complete agreement. We need to stay on this. Not sure if you've been reading for a long time. But click my name and you can find many blogs. Or use this list:
http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/02/26/the_elephant_in_the_room_was_george_w_bush_a_demag/index.php#comment-3390346
Be assured that if you work on this, you will attract troll activity. Do not let that distract you!
February 27, 2009 9:42 AM | Reply | Permalink
Presidents will always get a by and so with VP's. That is my opinion.
We do not put those people in prison even though the Constitution actually states that Impeachment is not something used in LIEU of further prosecution for crimes committed in office.
We cannot get to this issue, unless there are proper investigations.
But properly prosecute other top officials, and that will have an affect on future actions performed by others in those official capacities.
Did you see some of those monsters speak at the conservative fun fest yesterday? Bolton sounded like Himmler. Amazing.
February 27, 2009 10:00 AM | Reply | Permalink
I appreciate the call to prosecute Bush and Cheney. One of the things I've said before is that I think this will require international pressure. I don't think Americans hold sway on this issue anymore, not in a way that would provoke action.
I'm actually curious why the international community has been so quiet on the subject.
There should be pre-conditions set by other countries before sitting down with the U.S. for diplomatic talks.
Some of those pre-conditions should be following through on prosecuting the war crimes of Bush and Cheney.
February 27, 2009 10:29 AM | Reply | Permalink
Great suggestion TPMGary! We have preconditions on many of our relationships, Europe and the world could do the same to us. We do not know whether they are guilty or not until we investigate. We should at least do that.
BTW, I put the odds of them being clean at a million to one, but would not forgo due process, even if they did with the Gitmo Guys.
February 27, 2009 3:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
You are placing responsibility at the door of the wrong governmental branch. America is a Constitutional government. Where in the Constitution's delegated powers to the Executive do you ground the power for a sitting President, on his determination alone, to prosecute the preceding President for his official acts while in office? This would be an unconstitutional overreach by the President, sending ripples into the future that could easily turn into tsunamis when they returned to break upon on The Nation's shores.
Arguably, The Department of Justice could by its own initiative, begin an investigation into possible criminal acts by members of the Bush Administration, which could lead to indictments, yet that too would set a dangerous precedence, and would be exploited in the future. It also comes laden with valid concerns regarding conflicts of interest, because this investigation, if done properly, would require that the DoJ investigate many of their own.
Clearly this is a Congressional responsibility:
I agree wholeheartedly with your claim that "no man is above the law ". Does this not also apply to President Obama?
February 27, 2009 1:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
How right you are. It has to be DoJ. I think I read carelessly. And you've given a good warning here. Thanks!
February 27, 2009 7:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
It may be the job of congress but what happens when congress refuses to do its job?
February 27, 2009 3:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
Air America talked about this the other day, I was in the car and don't remeber who or when, but they suggested the wheels are turning slowly. The goal is that everything be in its place so that there be no shadow of impropriety. Again, as though the acts were not improprietous.[
February 27, 2009 3:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
How about we just indefinitely detain them...and render them off to someplace which agrees not to torture them?
Oh, wait, that would be a violation of their rights.
February 27, 2009 4:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
Couldn't agree with you more!
Here's how I think it should be done:
1. Investigate all credible leads using professional prosecutors and prosecutorial methods and standards.
2. Fully prosecute any and all criminal conduct on the part of the high level decisionmakers particularly. Yes, it is horrible what the guards and grunts do on the ground, but they wouldn't do it without orders or tacit orders from above. In the case of the Bush/Cheney regime we know the orders came from the President and Vice President and the Secretary of Defense. We also know the Attorney General and a number of his departmental staff were directly involved in creating faux legal framework to give the crimes the appearance of legality.
Deterrence will only occur if the guys who decided to do it and made it happen are the ones who are punished and to the very fullest extent of the law. Punishing the little guys doesn't address the fundamental problem and doesn't make the next tyrant think twice. Indeed, the opposite is true. Without punishing Bush and his henchmen the next tyrant will feel free to break any law he chooses and with good reason. We cannot reverse the crimes that have occured but we can, through action now, prevent crimes from being committed with similar impunity in the future.
3. Sentences must be harsh and: no pardons, clemency, or early release.
February 27, 2009 6:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sorry, I would make one addition which is that any crimes found to be crimes against humanity or crimes committed in violation of international treaties should be handed over to International Authorities and the accused immediately extradited to stand trial before an international tribunal of justice.
February 27, 2009 6:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
Would you like to join over 100 human rights groups in signing this statement?
http://prosecutebushcheney.org
February 27, 2009 10:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
Did it!
Thanks for the link!
February 27, 2009 11:04 PM | Reply | Permalink