Mr. President, evidence suggests you authorized capital offenses.

[originalpckelly]

Torture falls into the most serious class of crimes, the capital offense. Meaning, that certain individuals involved in the crime are eligible for the death penalty, should it be appropriate in their circumstances.

It is not alleged that the President directly participated in the capital offenses, but he conspired to commit those offenses. Therefore, he would not be eligible for capital punishment, but the full amount of prison time for torture would applicable for him. 18 USC Section 2340A states that that time is 20 years:

http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode18/usc_sec_18_00002340---A000-.html

You can bet your bottom dollar that the neo-gulags where the people were tortured are not officially recognized by the US government, and therefore are not in our territory. (Much like Area 51.) The US Attorney's manual states the following in relation to 18 USC Section 2340A:

"Section 2340A of Title 18, United States Code, prohibits torture committed by public officials under color of law against persons within the public official's custody or control. Torture is defined to include acts specifically intended to inflict severe physical or mental pain or suffering. (It does not include such pain or suffering incidental to lawful sanctions.) The statute applies only to acts of torture committed outside the United States. There is Federal extraterritorial jurisdiction over such acts whenever the perpetrator is a national of the United States or the alleged offender is found within the United States, irrespective of the nationality of the victim or the alleged offender."

http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/eousa/foia_reading_room/usam/title9/crm00020.htm

He is in the same category as a mob boss who orders a hit, yet doesn't directly carry it out himself.

Ladies and gentlemen, the President of the United States simply cannot be involved in such grave offenses, even if only by association or even mere implication. The fact that there is evidence to support the allegation of conspiring to commit torture is simply unacceptable.

If the Congress will not act now to investigate these allegations fully, then we are surely lost as a country. We all know at some level that these allegations are probably far more than just mere allegations, they are most certainly truth. There is simply way too much documentary evidence now to conclude otherwise, and because of that impeachment and conviction in the Senate is in order.

If the Republicans in the Senate are so petty they would refuse to convict a man over conspiring a criminal offense that falls into the highest category of offenses, and is certainly a high crime and misdemeanor, then this system of ours has collapsed.

Democracy cannot survive in a nation that allows torture. There will always be a silent fear in the hearts of those whom might speak up, that they themselves will be spirited away to some gulag to be tortured.

If the hate for us in the hearts of Republicans in Congress, and sadly the rest of the country, is so powerful they cannot see the obvious evil of torture, then that hate will rip this nation apart.

[proud2BlibKansan]

1. We need to be talking to Pelosi

not the president. He stopped listening a long time ago.

[originalpckelly]

2. Eh hem, it was only the opening line...

I wish a reporter would tell him that. It's completely true, and I'd love to see him squirm.

[Golden Raisin]

3. Abu Ghraib and all the sordid rest

of the torture/rendition horror stories have been swept UNDER the same table that impeachment is OFF of. Pelosi isn't going to do a thing. Maybe a few more investigations that will end up doing and changing nothing.

[originalpckelly]

4. Indeed, it is terrifying to see this paralyzed congress...

they need to do something quick before the time to do something is over.

[L. Coyote]

5. K & R

[SammyWinstonJack]

6. K&R