RICKAMAVEN
13 years ago
A planned trip by Bush to speak at the
Switzerland-based United Israel Appeal later
this week has been canceled after several
human rights groups called for Swiss
authorities to arrest Bush and investigate
him for authorizing torture. Bush has
traveled widely since leaving office, but not
to Europe, where there is a strong tradition
of international prosecutions.

The Swiss group and Bush’s spokesman
claim that it was threats of protest, not of
legal action, that prompted the cancellation.
But facing protests is nothing new for Bush.
What was different about this trip was that
groups including Amnesty International and
the Center for Constitutional Rights argued
that Switzerland, as a party to the UN
Convention against Torture, is obligated to
investigate Bush for potential prosecution.

Amnesty’s memo to Swiss authorities cites,
among other things, Bush’s admission in his
own memoir that he approved the use of
waterboarding. From Amnesty’s press
release:


“To date, we’ve seen a handful of military
investigations into detentions and
interrogations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and
Guantánamo. But none of these has had the
independence and reach necessary to
investigate high-level officials such as
President Bush,” said Salil Shetty, Secretary
General of Amnesty International.

“Meanwhile, there has been virtually zero
accountability for crimes committed in the
CIA’s secret detention program, which was
authorized by then-President Bush.”

Anywhere in the world that he travels,
President Bush could face investigation and
potential prosecution for his responsibility
for torture and other crimes in international
law, particularly in any of the 147 countries
that are party to the UN Convention against
Torture.

“As the US authorities have, so far, failed to
bring President Bush to justice, the
international community must step in,” said
Salil Shetty.

The Center for Constitutional Rights,
meanwhile, intended to file a 2,500-page
complaint against Bush in Swiss court on
behalf of two Guantanamo detainees. The
group will release that complaint to the
public today.




ZRX1200
13 years ago
So it's safe to assume that they want to arrest Barack Obama as well?
HockeyDad
13 years ago
Ricka gets excited over year-old news.

Meanwhile GWB still prowls the mean streets.
snowwolf777
13 years ago
GWB - Now in the 13th year of his presidency. I guess.

Hope the Democrats can stop him from a 5th term!

DrafterX
13 years ago
he was prolly banned.... 😟
dpnewell
13 years ago
Isn't it great, that the first thing Obama did as president, was to fulfill his promise to shut down Guantanamo?
jackconrad
13 years ago
(\|___|/)
‹^› (=0.o=) ‹^›
(")__(")
DadZilla3
13 years ago

Isn't it great, that the first thing Obama did as president, was to fulfill his promise to shut down Guantanamo?

dpnewell wrote:


Amazing that he accomplished that while engineering a domestic economic miracle at the same time...
dpnewell
13 years ago
^With all the miracles he has worked, it's no wonder that liberals all over the world, three times a day, face Washington DC, bow down and worship their messiah.
Brewha
13 years ago
^better than the years we all had to bend over for Bush . . . .
bloody spaniard
13 years ago

^better than the years we all had to bend over for Bush . . . .

Brewha wrote:




Brew, they seem to have gotten progressively worse for quite a few of us, but sometimes I wonder.
Dubya certainly got the ball rolling in the wrong direction despite his rhetoric.

The same Texan/New England capitalist (?), who promised us a thriving economy, closed many portals of competition for the small business community while helping the larger contractors and banks (Tarp). He also dances with military amputees at photo ops to show solidarity even though he was probably indirectly responsible for many by enforcing strict and hampering rules of engagement in his unwarranted (and expensive) foreign interventions. This Christian man also did nothing about the border, alternative energy, prayer, abortion, apple pie, and motherhood... However, his ability to well up with tears upon command is legendary.

Eh, to me there's a warm bucket of spit difference between the last two commanders-in-royalty. Slightly different rhetoric is all IMHO.
One dressed himself in the American flag. The other purports to be a man of the people. Neither really cares for the little guy.
SMGBobbyScott
13 years ago

So it's safe to assume that they want to arrest Barack Obama as well?

ZRX1200 wrote:



I think the case is specific to water boarding...something that Obama ended under Executive Order upon taking office. I'm sure that they will start complaining about the drones soon though...
ZRX1200
13 years ago
Obama has doubled down on Bushies policies, and for the record waterboarding is great.
SMGBobbyScott
13 years ago
It depends upon the polices...some yes, some no and we will just have to disagree on "advanced interrogation methods"...I don't care for them.
dubleuhb
13 years ago

Obama has doubled down on Bushies policies, and for the record waterboarding is great.

ZRX1200 wrote:


I'm with you, waterboarding is good. Compassion to the terrorist is a sign of weakness and much of the reason we live in a world like we do.
teedubbya
13 years ago
Yea. If we were just firmer with them everything would be different.
ZRX1200
13 years ago
Waterboarding is how America baptizes terrorists with freedom!
SMGBobbyScott
13 years ago
Once more you convince me of just how much of sick bastid you are...LOL!!!
Brewha
13 years ago

Brew, they seem to have gotten progressively worse for quite a few of us, but sometimes I wonder.
Dubya certainly got the ball rolling in the wrong direction despite his rhetoric.

The same Texan/New England capitalist (?), who promised us a thriving economy, closed many portals of competition for the small business community while helping the larger contractors and banks (Tarp). He also dances with military amputees at photo ops to show solidarity even though he was probably indirectly responsible for many by enforcing strict and hampering rules of engagement in his unwarranted (and expensive) foreign interventions. This Christian man also did nothing about the border, alternative energy, prayer, abortion, apple pie, and motherhood... However, his ability to well up with tears upon command is legendary.

Eh, to me there's a warm bucket of spit difference between the last two commanders-in-royalty. Slightly different rhetoric is all IMHO.
One dressed himself in the American flag. The other purports to be a man of the people. Neither really cares for the little guy.

bloody spaniard wrote:


Bloody, while Bush bashing is both fun and warranted, the truth is I tend to look way past the man. Bush, and to some extent, Obama, are mouth pieces for the owners of these United States. Washington is concerned with the wants and need of the 'important people'. And that ain't us brother. Big money comes first, and we are pedanticly irrelevant - we are given just enough bread and circuses so we do what is desired at the poles.

Billionairs finance 'grass root' movements so that we will want to do away with social programs in favor of deregulation. Because 'big government' like the EPA and Social Security are 'bad'.

Oddly I think none of this is new. Seems to me that there has always been a ruling class with a multitude of slaves, that don't even know that's what they are . . . .
rfenst
13 years ago
Game over with any of our allies who would presumably arrest, jail and try Bush. He should be able to openly travel under the auspices of diplomatic immunity- despite having been terribly blunderous and damaging President.
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