When Obama gets elected, should he set up criminal prosecutions or a truth commission?

[derby378]

Someone in Newsweek floated the idea that Bush administration officials implicated in the torture of Guantanamo and Abu Ghraib should be pardoned but subpoenaed to testify at a "truth commission" like they had in post-apartheid South Africa. I'm against the idea, partially because of the failure of South Africa's commission - Nuremberg seemed to work so much better. But what do you think?

[Nye Bevan]

1. He should hire Patrick Fitzgerald

to run a detailed investigation of *any* crimes that may have been committed by the previous administration. This guy is already trained up, knows his way around and has a good track record- imagine what he could do *without* administration officials obstructing him every step of the way.

[yourout]

2. Here is a question....Lets say Cheney gets a preemptive pardon from Bush...

Can there still be a trial to make sure the whole world knows what he did and then the history books would for ever label him as a pardoned war criminal?

[RaleighNCDUer]

3. A truth commission would free the criminals of prosecution here,

but it would put the truth out there which could then be used in international war crimes prosecution.

Kind of a toss up.

[Fluffdaddy]

4. Lets worry about Obama getting elected first.

We were doing this shit with Kerry, having the victory dance before the elections were over.

[hack89]

5. Doesn't anybody remember Clinton and gays in the military.

you don't start your presidency by taking on divisive and controversial issues that strengthens your opponents and expends limited political capital. There is no national outcry for what you are suggesting. On the other hand, by January 2009, our economy will be so bad and so many people will be hurting that he needs to expend all his energy on actually accomplishing something that will help people in a meaningful manner. He cannot do that without Republican help - it is basic politics.


And you forget a fundamental truth - Democratic politicians are complicit (either directly or indirectly) in Bush's crimes. There will be no enthusiasm on the part of Congress to dredge up potentially embarrassing issues.

[Alter Ego]

6. Neither.

He should do this:

1) Take the Oath of Office.

2) Once finished, go down the steps to the street and locate the nearest dumpster.

3) Push/pull dumpster over in front of the steps.

4) Walk over to where Bush is sitting, push him over in his chair, and grab his legs.

5) Drag a kicking, screaming Bush to the dumpster, lift him up, and throw him in (NOTE--Dumpster must be deep enough so Bush cannot simply climb out, or Obama can optionally club him over the head with a blunt object supplied to him by the crowd).

6) Repeat steps 4 and 5, only with Cheney this time. This time, though, the clubbing is mandatory--and he might have to do it several times. Bastard's got a skull like a mountain goat.

7) Close dumpster lid and padlock it.

8) Walk back up Capitol steps, dust off hands, and say into microphone, "Now that's what I'm talkin' 'bout."

[Brigid]

9. Hee Hee . . .

Me likey. :rofl:

[ebdarcy]

7. I think he should have them taken into custody and turned over

to the Hague. In addition, there needs to be a full, public accounting. America needs to know what was done in her name. We can never let this happen again, and the only way to prevent it is by having the truth come out. It can't be whitewashed this time. The record needs to be spread far and wide.

[derby378]

8. "Full public accounting" sounds good, but the Hague is too good for some of these war criminals

Since we can't use Alcatraz anymore, we at least have Florence ADX.

[anonymous171]

10. He should investigate for a while, then begin prosecution 8-9 months before midterm elections.

[Whisp]

11. join the ICC again and just sit back and let the work be done.

lots of countries would relish hanging the likes of the stains on humanity that have been in office these past years.