Has the Bush Admin. in any way violated international law?

[gonzomax]

We counting GITMO, extraordinary rendition,torture rejection of the Geneva Convention. Then yes. Could we find a dishonest quibbling way around. Ask Yoo and his quaint interpretation. I am ashamed of what we have done. I think ethically and morally ,we have sunk to a low that I never thought would have happened in my lifetime. It makes me sad.

[RedFury]

@John Mace

Sure. But it’s just not the US. I don’t see any calls for the leaders of the UK, Spain or Italy to be brought before any International Court. They weren’t the leaders of the Iraq War, but they were participants. It’s not just the US which is immune. I think most Western Democracies would be granted wide latitude, provided they didn’t lose.

Other than possibly the UK in their limited warring role, I don’t see much to be gained from sitting Berluscconi nor Aznar at the IC. Bet your sweet peppy I’d be all for it, but I simply wonder if the elephant in the room would even take notice.

Besides, all three of those a-holes have been rendered mostly inoperative by their respective countrymen. All gone.

Again though…I certainly would join in such a call. Small steps is I think what you’d call it.

[BrainGlutton]

@Bricker

A strict application of the phrase yields the answer ‘no’ – there has been, after all, no finding of guilt in any ajudication in which the US has had a clear statement of charges presented and a chance to defend itself against those charges.

No – in context, the question (thread title) is posed as a district attorney might consider the question, “Has X committed any crime in this jurisdiction?” Consider it, that is, with a view to deciding on a course of action, not answering a reporter’s question. The presumption of innocence does not apply for such purposes.

[John_Mace]

@RedFury

Other than possibly the UK in their limited warring role, I don’t see much to be gained from sitting Berluscconi nor Aznar at the IC. Bet your sweet peppy I’d be all for it, but I simply wonder if the elephant in the room would even take notice.

Probably not. I don’t mean to downplay the large difference in the role the US played in Iraq, nor the scope of the US’s actions over the past few decades. They make anything any European country has done pale in comparison. But we have European leaders of countries that, I presume, actively support such institutions as the ICJ, and yet those leaders are not held accountable when they clearly could be. It’s not just the US that gets a pass. It seems that as long as you’re in “the club” of Western Democracies and don’t go around losing wars, you’re pretty safe.

[RedFury]

@John Mace

Probably not. I don’t mean to downplay the large difference in the role the US played in Iraq, nor the scope of the US’s actions over the past few decades. They make anything any European country has done pale in comparison. But we have European leaders of countries that, I presume, actively support such institutions as the ICJ, and yet those leaders are not held accountable when they clearly could be. It’s not just the US that gets a pass. It seems that as long as you’re in “the club” of Western Democracies and don’t go around losing wars, you’re pretty safe.

Not much to counter with…other than what I said before, or, IOW, I really do believe in “We The People.”

You realize, don’t you, that at the rate we’re going the world will soon (centuries maybe, less if pragmatic) become a caste society with little if any upwards movement. Are you willing to do something about it? If not for you for future generations.

I know I am.