Beware Bush's preemptive strike on torture

[kpete]

Beware Bush's preemptive strike on torture

...........

There is the distinct possibility that in his administration's waning days Bush will issue a preemptive pardon for all those who have or may have committed federal crimes relating to detainee interrogations. He might even invoke his father's Orwellian praise of the Iran-Contra defendants, who were pardoned because of their "patriotism" and "long and distinguished record of service to the country," and who the elder Bush believed had been caught up in "the criminalization of policy differences."

Such a pardon might seek to protect low-level government personnel who relied on legally dubious Justice Department memos on interrogations. But it would also provide blanket immunity to senior administration officials who bear criminal responsibility for their role in drafting, orchestrating and implementing a U.S. government torture program.

Constitutionally, neither Congress nor the courts can prevent President Bush from signing such a pardon. It would, however, be the first preemptive pardon in U.S. history for war crimes. And because of his own possible criminal role in approving the torture program, Bush effectively would be granting a self-pardon – something Nixon seriously considered but no president has ever done. As he ponders his historical legacy, Bush might just decide that this is a pardon better left unsigned.

more at:
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/node/34801#comments

[SpiralHawk]

1. You have to be charged with a crime before you can be pardoned

To my knowledge, none of the republicon chickenhawks at the top of Torture Crap Heap has been charged with these War Crimes yet.

In the usual republicon 'family values' avoid-responsibilty gambit, only the lowest of the underlings - soldiers - have had charges brought against them.

None of the republicon chickenhawks who instituted the official policy of wholesale Evil Doing have yet been charged. Therefore, there is no basis for a pardon from Commander AWOL Bush.

[Bonhomme Richard]

2. Simple solution. Have it moved to the world court.

No pardon there and they wouldn't be able to leave the states.