Showing posts with label Bush war crimes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bush war crimes. Show all posts

Friday, February 20, 2009

War Crimes and Truth Commissions

I believe the Bush Administration engaged in war crimes.

Yet I am dubious about the desire by many on the left to prosecute or hold "truth commissions."

I am not unswayed by arguments that the United States isn't above the law and that if what the Bush Admin did was done by another country against us we would be seeking war crimes prosecutions. I'm not agnostic to the fact that punishing those who committed the crimes would restore some of America's moral authority.

I just don't know if I trust the Democrats in charge of Congress to conduct the hearings seriously and fairly in today's partisan-charged environment. Any attempt to use the proceedings for partisan gain or retribution for political slights would risk de-legitimizing the outcomes and further divide this country. And I just don't know if leaders in Congress (in either party) could rise to the level of seriousness such proceedings would demand.

I know, it's not a satisfactory position.

Thoughts?