Fearing Prosecution, Bush Admin Tries to Change War Crimes Act

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=06/08/16/148250

Ten years ago the Republican-led Congress approved legislation to make it a felony to violate the Geneva Conventions.

The Bush administration now fears the War Crimes Act of 1996 could be used to prosecute civilians involved in the mistreatment and torture of prisoners in Iraq, Afghanistan and Guantanamo.

The White House recently proposed changes to the War Crimes Act that would narrow the scope of punishable offenses. The new list would exclude humiliating or degrading treatment of prisoners. Military law experts believe the Bush administration is effectively re-writing parts of the Geneva conventions.

According to the New York Times, President Bush wants Congress to make the United States the first country to repudiate the language of the Geneva Conventions.

[Greeby]

1. Why would a dictator be scared of a law?

Unless their grip on power is not as absolute as they'd like us to think :think:

[GreenPartyVoter]

2. oh... the entire nation needs to hear abt this. which means

it won't.

[longship]

3. This isn't just national news.

I imagine that there's going to be a bit of screeching about this on the international scene. If this doesn't hit as big news, there's something wrong with the situation.

[warrens]

4. Waiting til after the election, obviously

Since everyone left Washington a few days ago. We'll have a ball jamming this down GOP throats in 2008.

[BrightKnight]

5. Why hasn't there been a prosecution yet?

A prosecution would make it more difficult to change the law.

[Seabiscuit]

8. Answer: Repuke lock-step Congress.

As a check-and-balance on Executive power, Congress no longer exists today.

That's the whole problem.

Until we take back Congress, nothing will improve, and no change will occur except at Bush's behest.

[Imagevision]

6. This matter was brought to Bush's attention by Attorney General Gonzalez

When the necessary investigations begin with the new administation in place, Gonzalez has much to worry about which is why he's asking Bush to move on the current War Crimes Act because he is clearly guilty violating Geneva Conventions for torture tactics alone...

[tbyg52]

10. They *cannot* change the law retroactively!

Well, they can try, but IT IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL!!!

Article I, Section 9, Clause 3: No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed.

Scream it from the rooftops. (Please.... ;) )

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

[Seabiscuit]

7. So, why am I not surpised?

Is there no level so low that the * cabal won't stoop below?

[lpbk2713]

9. That's alright. We'll still get em for election fraud and war profiteering

and a list of other things.

[Hubert Flottz]

11. Don't do the crime if you can't do the time!

Don't do it!