Truth But No Consequences : Torturegate

There were generations of Americans in history that would not have allowed the nation to degenerate to its current barbaric status. The US is now a pariah nation and no amount of "support the troops" yellow ribbons on American bumpers or emphatic petulant Presidential proclamations that "America does not torture" is going to change this very ugly truth. History will harshly judge this generation, the people in control of the government, power drunk Republicans, craven Democrats, media whores (all three groups working for the same powerful wealthy corporate elite) and pretty much all adult US citizens whether or not they supported the invasion or not. The actions undertaken by this heinous regime defile the graves of every American patriot that died defending the principles upon which The United States of America claims as its foundation.
Hunter Thompson summed it up rather well in Kingdom of Fear

We have become a Nazi monster in the eyes of the whole world--a nation of bullies and bastards who would rather kill than live peacefully. We are not just Whores for power and oil, but killer whores with hate and fear in our hearts. We are human scum, and that is how history will judge us...No redeeming social value. Just whores. Get out of our way, or we'll kill you.

Nuremberg Principles

Principle I

Any person who commits an act which constitutes a crime under international law is responsible therefore and liable to punishment.

Principle II

The fact that internal law does not impose a penalty for an act which constitutes a crime under international law does not relieve the person who committed the act from responsibility under international law.

Principle III

The fact that a person who committed an act which constitutes a crime under international law acted as Head of State or responsible government official does not relieve him from responsibility under international law.

Principle IV

The fact that a person acted pursuant to order of his Government or of a superior does not relieve him from responsibility under international law, provided a moral choice was in fact possible to him.

Principle V

Any person charged with a crime under international law has the right to a fair trial on the facts and law.

Principle VI

The crimes hereinafter set out are punishable as crimes under international law:

(a) Crimes against peace:

(i) Planning, preparation, initiation or waging of a war of aggression or a war in violation of international treaties, agreements or assurances;

(ii) Participation in a common plan or conspiracy for the accomplishment of any of the acts mentioned under (i).

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(b) War Crimes:

Violations of the laws or customs of war which include, but are not limited to, murder, ill-treatment or deportation of slave labor or for any other purpose of the civilian population of or in occupied territory; murder or ill-treatment of prisoners of war or persons on the Seas, killing of hostages, plunder of public or private property, wanton destruction of cities, towns, or villages, or devastation not justified by military necessity.

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(c) Crimes against humanity:

Murder, extermination, enslavement, deportation and other inhumane acts done against any civilian population, or persecutions on political, racial, or religious grounds, when such acts are done or such persecutions are carried on in execution of or in connection with any crime against peace or any war crime.

two out of three ain't bad, there's still time left for this one though

Principle VII

Complicity in the commission of a crime against peace, a war crime, or a crime against humanity as set forth in Principle VI is a crime under international law.

Good seed Erik - thanks for the seed. The arguments are compelling but ultimately highlight the conundrums and paradoxes of power without suggesting resolution.

I agree in principle with the virtues of holding responsible parties accountable. There should be consequences for the war crimes (I'd submit the occupation of Iraq would constitute (c) in #4 crimes against humanity). There are substantial reasons why we should not expect any future US administration to pursue prosecution. The authority to bring such action would simultaneously abridge it's own power.

Will the people of the US support international tribunals for accountability? Who might provide the leadership for such trials?

Amazing the man sat on tv and said we don't torture.
we know for a fact he did, we know it violates us and international law and yet there he sits on my tv a free man.
we went after clinton like the world was ending casue he tried to protect his family by LYING to a court of law about a past affair.. same people who cheered that decry libby being busted for the same thing and speaking of libbby that was another crime the presidnet knew about and lied about.
My dog could come up with grounds of impeachment.

I do think history will say to us .. "WTF"

Thank you gotcha covered and have the other referenced, apologist piece linked to you too!!

Very good seed Eric......however I'm getting worried. I find myself voting up your seeds & articles and even pointing up your comments. After taking out your propagandist descriptives I tend to agree with you. (smile)