Reply #2: sure... you can start with the Declaration of Independence [View All]

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and then continue with the Bill of Rights, and finish up with the Geneva Conventions, just for good measure.

http://www.law.indiana.edu/uslawdocs/declaration.html

http://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/constitution.billofrights.html

http://www.genevaconventions.org/


From the Declaration of Independence:

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that ALL men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."



From the Bill of Rights


Amendment VI

In ALL criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.




Note the use of the word 'all'. All means, by defintion: the entire collection of a set. In these cases ALL men, and ALL criminal prosecutions. It specfically doesn't say 'some' or just US citizens, or even so-called 'enemy combantants' (whatever that means). It says ALL, very clearly and distinctly.



From the Geneva Conventions:

humane treatment of prisoners of war

Prisoners of war must be humanely treated at all times. Any unlawful act which causes death or seriously endangers the health of a prisoner of war is a grave breach of the Geneva Conventions. In particular, prisoners must not be subject to physical mutilation>, biological experiments, violence, intimidation, insults, and public curiosity. (Convention III, Art. 13)

Prisoners of war must be interred on land, and only in clean and healthy areas. (Convention III, Art. 22)

Prisoners of war are entitled to the same treatment given to a country's own forces, including total surface and cubic space of dormitories, fire protection, adequate heating and lighting, and separate dormitories for women. (Convention III, Art. 25)

Prisoners of war must receive enough food to maintain weight and to prevent nutritional deficiencies, with account of the habitual diet of the prisoners. Food must not be used for disciplinary purposes. (Convention III, Art. 26)

Prisoners of war must receive adequate clothing, underwear and footwear. The clothing must be kept in good repair and prisoners who work must receive clothing appropriate to their tasks. (Convention III, Art. 27)


Prisoners of war must receive due process and fair trials. (Convention III, Art. 82 through Art. 88)





Note the part about due process.


There has never been ANY rational argument made for the Bush Cabal's flagrant violation of ALL of these doctrines. They have been violated in the extreme, and quite out in the open, IMO.

I think that's probably why Bush just bought a ranch down in Paraguay. He knows damn well that war crimes charges are going to be filed at some point... why? Well, because he (and many others) have committed grave violations of both US and international law, and have committed war crimes and Crimes against Humanity. And although they may be (sort of) on top of the 'spin' now, it may not always be the case.