Quite a few people think that - now that they are out of office - it is too late to try Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Gonzales and the rest of the boys for their crimes.
Even those who support prosecutions think it probably won't happen. For example, Dave Lindorff wrote today:
The likelihood of their being indicted and brought to trial now that they have left office is exceedingly slim.
The truth, however, is that it is a much better time to prosecute the criminals then when they were in office.
Why?
Because, as an attorney has previously pointed out:
It is unlikely that a court would allow high-level officials such as a sitting president or vice president to be tried until they leave office after the end of their designated term or through impeachment and removal. This is because the constitutional "separation of powers" doctrine provides that one branch of government, such as the judiciary, cannot unduly interfere with the workings of another branch, such as the executive branch. It is clear that, pursuant to federal statutes, a sitting president cannot be tried criminally, although it has not been decided whether the president can be indicted (the first step in the criminal process) while in office or whether the vice president has the same protections as the president. Thus, even if a court did not dismiss a lawsuit outright on sovereign immunity grounds, it would almost certainly stay (i.e. pause) any lawsuit against the president and vice president.
Now that the boys are out of office, prosecutions can move forward. It is the perfect time to prosecute.
supposedly the reason Holders appointment to ATTY General is being held up by Spector is that the statue of limitations on the wire tapping incident when Ashcroft was in the hospital runs out March 14. But that's just one of the crimes they committed. According to Jonathon
ReplyDeleteTurley they can be tried for multiple war crimes in 145 countries, plus who know how many more US committed crimes. If we don't prosecute them other Presidents have precedent to do the same.
The only way it is going to happen is if you keep bugging the crooks in congress; they are great at finding scapegoats and passing the buck. LET THEM KNOW - both republicans and democrats that you want them tried for torture and wiretapping without a court order. People say on no biggie, but it is…… and you CANNOT stop pushing for it because they keep saying the American people want to move on. NO WE DON’T!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteTrue story: I was in a convenience store paying for gas and it was on the TV about the CEO that redecorated his office with TARP money; people in line all started saying BUSH needs to be hung - anything that keeps coming out - people are pissed - we have streets with every home in foreclosure or for sale - here and no jobs. KEEP CALLING - don’t let them get away with it - you don’t get away without paying a parking ticket. KEEP CALLING and emailing the elite in Washington.
Keep banging away at them, put all the pressure we can on them. With a new AG we just might get something done. I don't see how the new AG can walk away from prosecuting these guys for something, I think torture is the ticket I don't think there a statue of limitations on War Crimes.
ReplyDeleteThere is no statute of limitations on war crimes. We all must GET ACTIVE and STAY ACTIVE calling, writing, emailing, chatting, blogging, and just generally raising hell all over the place so that war criminals don't get away with war crimes.
ReplyDeleteRE: Spector gets back in line when he's told is they drag out the fact that he has a long time girlfriend in Cleveland...Who cares??? Does he really believe something that's been going on more than 20 years is a secret? (Ray McGovern told me that)
ReplyDeleteI say let the trials begin, there are plenty of charges to go around. Not just war crimes, but treason. The Constitution is very real, and its a lesson those war criminals need to learn. Along with their supporters.
BTW, great work George Washington.
Right on Prissy Patriot
ReplyDeleteSpector is a long-time crook-- the inventor of the JFK magic bullet theory.
ReplyDelete