Bush-June 28, 2004: "We Will Investigate And Prosecute ALL Acts Of Torture"

[kpete]

On June 28, 2004, George Bush commemorated the U.N. Day to Support Torture Victims and vowed that the U.S. "will investigate and prosecute all acts of torture and undertake to prevent other cruel and unusual punishment in all territory under our jurisdiction." In doing so, he specifically cited the U.S.'s binding obligation under the Convention to do so (h/t leftydem):
http://letters.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/2009/02/16/treaties/permalink/ccd514683224a1e3ed2efc129d341379.html

To help fulfill this commitment, the United States has joined 135 other nations in ratifying the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. America stands against and will not tolerate torture. We will investigate and prosecute all acts of torture and undertake to prevent other cruel and unusual punishment in all territory under our jurisdiction. American personnel are required to comply with all U.S. laws, including the United States Constitution, Federal statutes, including statutes prohibiting torture, and our treaty obligations with respect to the treatment of all detainees. . . .

The United States also remains steadfastly committed to upholding the Geneva Conventions, which have been the bedrock of protection in armed conflict for more than 50 years. . . . We will not compromise the rule of law or the values and principles that make us strong. Torture is wrong no matter where it occurs, and the United States will continue to lead the fight to eliminate it everywhere.
http://www.america.gov/st/washfile-english/2004/June/20040628140800LShsaN0.3632013.html

If George Bush, citing our obligations under the Convention Against Torture and the Geneva Conventions, can publicly vow that "we will investigate and prosecute all acts of torture," why can't Democratic politicians and liberal pundits simply cite the same treaty obligations and make the same commitment?

more at:
http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/2009/02/16/treaties/index.html

[BattyDem]

1. So when the RW says we shouldn't investigate BushCo's role in torture ...

we can simply say that the Dems are keeping the promise Bush made to the country! :bounce:


edited: typo :blush:

[AndyA]

2. I like the sound of that!

Bush promised it, we're just making sure that promise is kept!! :rofl:

What can they possibly say in response?

Someone send this to Olbermann, it's classic. He must put it on his show!

[ChickMagic]

5. What is Olbermann's email?

I've poured over MSNBC including his page and I couldn't find it.

[AndyA]

7. This should do it.

[e-mail]

[ChickMagic]

8. Awesome!

Thanks Andy A! :fistbump: :yourock:

[ThomWV]

3. By using the word "acts" he limits this to the actual torturers, not their bosses

Sure, he'd prosecute the GS-11 that did the torturing, but not his bosses who simply approved it.

[gratuitous]

4. There ya go again (wink), lookin' to the past

We're lookin' to the future, you betcha! Besides, Commander Bunnypants had his fingers crossed when he said that, if he said that, so it doesn't count! Tap, tap, no tap-backs.

There. I've run rings of Republican logic around all you libruls, so that's the end of that.

[ChickMagic]

6. Sorry. Dupe.

:grr: