The U.S. would regain some of its own lost dignity…
... claims Bob Herbert, if a truly independent commission were established to thoroughly investigate the interrogation and detention operations associated with the war on terror and the war in Iraq.
Oh, you mean like this sort of commission?The United States might "agree" to an "independent" commission to investigate the mounting list of war crimes that the United States has committed in at least the past five years, but I wonder if anyone outside the United States or the land of the poodle would believe it. I'm afraid that we're past the point where a nicely whitewashed pretend hearing would make any difference to anyone who doesn't live here. What would make for a convincing commission? Our cities in rubble, our capital occupied, and our leaders hanged? Or would simple impeachment and trials for high treason, followed by life imprisonment in Spandau prison for every one of the stinking traitors who constitutes the Evil Party leadership, be considered a suitable token of our word when we say we're really really sorry we engaged in
- Crimes against Peace: namely, planning, preparation, initiation or waging of a war of aggression, or a war in violation of international treaties, agreements or assurances, or participation in a Common Plan or Conspiracy for the accomplishment of any of the foregoing;
- War Crimes: namely, violations of the laws or customs of war. Such violations shall include, but not be limited to, murder, ill-treatment or deportation to slave labor or for any other purpose of 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;
- Crimes against Humanity: namely, murder, extermination, enslavement, deportation, and other inhumane acts committed against any civilian population, before or during the war,14 or persecutions on political, racial, or religious grounds in execution of or in connection with any crime within the jurisdiction of the Tribunal, whether or not in violation of domestic law of the country where perpetrated.
I disapprove of state-sanctioned murder, no matter how vile the crime, and I'd rather be the one who locks the blubbering wretch who used to be Maximum Leader Genius in his cell, but I don't know if I have any say in the matter. What's the stupid Babylon 5 quote? "The avalanche has already started. It is too late for the pebbles to vote."; what I, or any other American, might wish to do to redeem this country is no longer relevant.