Should Canada indict Bush?

[MSgt213]

When U.S. President George W. Bush arrives in Ottawa — probably later this year — should he be welcomed? Or should he be charged with war crimes?

It's an interesting question. On the face of it, Bush seems a perfect candidate for prosecution under Canada's Crimes against Humanity and War Crimes Act.

This act was passed in 2000 to bring Canada's ineffectual laws in line with the rules of the new International Criminal Court. While never tested, it lays out sweeping categories under which a foreign leader like Bush could face arrest.

In particular, it holds that anyone who commits a war crime, even outside Canada, may be prosecuted by our courts. What is a war crime? According to the statute, it is any conduct defined as such by "customary international law" or by conventions that Canada has adopted.

War crimes also specifically include any breach of the 1949 Geneva Conventions, such as torture, degradation, wilfully depriving prisoners of war of their rights "to a fair and regular trial," launching attacks "in the knowledge that such attacks will cause incidental loss of life or injury to civilians" and deportation of persons from an area under occupation.

http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1100517502971&call_pageid=968256290204&col=968350116795

[Dem Agog]

1. Absofriggin'lutely

And they should have about thirty countries in line behind them with their indictments in hand too.

[pen dragon]

2. I'm all for it

too bad things like that never happen in the real world

[KaryninMiami]

3. What a fascinating idea- I think we should support him...

How about if we send Mr. Walkom, a few supportive emails? I have a feeling there would be quite a few of us in this on-line community (and in many others as well) who would wholeheartedly support the idea of having Canada (and as many other countries as possible for that matter), charge him and his team with war crimes.

Ah the fantasy of seeing them all in the same prison as Saddam. Stop me before I get carried away...

What do you say, gang? While we're at it, perhaps we might inspire Mr. Walkom, who appears to be in our corner, to help us get the word out to mainstream media "over the border" about the investigation of election fraud going on over here. Could be that they have little idea about this and could use a bit of education. If our media refuses to cover this, perhaps we need to be blasting the international media and Canada is a wonderful place to start.

Any thoughts?

[Catchawave]

4. Go for it !

Nothing's worked in the U.S.

[KaryninMiami]

5. Ok so how do we make this a group effort? (I'm new around here)

I figure a few thousand emails from outraged but credible American citizens might be pretty effective. But we have to be clear, consise, factual, non-hysterical and give him what he needs as a reporter-- enough information to go on that's real and verifiable.

Any takers? Can we keep this kicked so that we can get lots of interest? Sort of group homework assignment that keeps on growing?

[raysr]

6. According to Canadian Law

by being convicted of a DUI he can't go into Canada legally anyway w/o a "Magistrates Permit".