tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6151938248821114337.post8193184862988826683..comments2023-06-26T10:02:55.794-05:00Comments on RightSideProject: Criminalization of PolicyUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6151938248821114337.post-88537187909574619162009-04-22T23:29:00.000-05:002009-04-22T23:29:00.000-05:00In response to Anonymous, whether the interrogatio...In response to Anonymous, whether the interrogation activities constituted torture is a matter of opinion. Clearly these are not torture in the manner that our enemy practices it e.g. removal of teeth with pliers; kicking in the face and ribs; breaking of bones and ribs and dislocation of fingers. In fact, the memos show the Bush Administration trying to locate and avoid crossing the legal line at which coercive interrogation becomes torture.<br /> <br />Let's remember that the techniques used on the detainees had all been used for years on our own military as part of our Survival Evasion Resistance escape training program. Also, many members of Congress, including Democrats, were briefed on the specific interrogation methods being used and did not raise objections (until of course the political winds changed and they could score cheap political points by doing so). Clearly this is an area of controversy, but to criminalize these disputes over policy is a horrible precedent to set.viachicagohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12796391857768287833noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6151938248821114337.post-80639120693870253292009-04-22T23:15:00.000-05:002009-04-22T23:15:00.000-05:00Nice to get one of Libby's clients on your list.
...Nice to get one of Libby's clients on your list. <br /><br />I didn't know about the FALN commutations. The Wikipedia page is very interesting.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6151938248821114337.post-35695167501426679332009-04-22T20:03:00.000-05:002009-04-22T20:03:00.000-05:00Less political than Bill Clinton pardoning his bro...Less political than Bill Clinton pardoning his brother, Marc Rich and FALN terrorists.Steven L. Baersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09449070951241599812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6151938248821114337.post-2849166803195156102009-04-22T16:28:00.000-05:002009-04-22T16:28:00.000-05:00The law that called for special prosecutors to be ...The law that called for special prosecutors to be appointed by a panel of judges has expired. The AG can appoint a special counsel, as was done with Fitzgerald.<br /><br />As with a lot of legal issues, politics and conflicts abound. You can't eliminate them, only try to minimize their effects. You don't think Bush commuting Libby's sentance was political?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6151938248821114337.post-70499389090619678202009-04-22T10:57:00.000-05:002009-04-22T10:57:00.000-05:00I see a fatal flaw in your argument: do you reall...I see a fatal flaw in your argument: do you really think Obama will retire on the South Side of Chicago? Can't see it.Chris Janchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01156469561631146051noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6151938248821114337.post-71025555418602430162009-04-22T08:52:00.000-05:002009-04-22T08:52:00.000-05:00Of course, special prosecutors are never political...Of course, special prosecutors are never political. Ask those on the left about Ken Starr and those on the right about Pat Fitzgerald. Besides, I do not think that there is a statutory basis for special prosecutors any longer.Steven L. Baersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09449070951241599812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6151938248821114337.post-38024466134825255092009-04-22T08:07:00.000-05:002009-04-22T08:07:00.000-05:00What you are describing is not the criminalization...What you are describing is not the criminalization of policy. It is an attempt by the Bush administration to politicize laws that it did not want to follow. <br /><br />What it did was not legal. The laws that Bush administration officials violated included the War Crimes Act of 1996; its application to WOT was upheld by the Supreme Court in 2006 in a case called Hamdan vs Rumsfeld.<br /><br />The issue here is whether the President and his appointees are above the law. Perhaps it would have been more in keeping with the intent of the constitution had Congress used its impeachment power back in 2005 or 2006. If Obama and Holder want to avoid even the appearance of politicization, they should appoint a special prosecutor. What they should not do is neglect their duty and not enforce the law.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com