Bush administration officials "will be indicted for war crimes"

Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, and Yoo (and I'm sure there are others) should be tried for war crimes. no one should be above the law. It is time for Congress to act.

De la Vega: Well, he’s clearly not above the law in any constitutional or criminal law, a sense of criminal law. The problem is that we don’t have a Congress as yet that is really holding him to task. It is obviously their responsibility to conduct oversight of the president and they’re kind of easing into it, as far as I can tell. But I think the actions of the Bush administration have shown that it’s far past the time that we should be easing into anything. They have demonstrated that they are in blatant disregard of the law time and time again. And now we have the majority of the public, the vast majority, that does not want to have an escalation of the war, and he is defiantly going along his merry way, if you can use that term. So I, I think we are really in a crisis right now and it’s, it’s really time for Congress see it serious finally.

http://www.truthdig.com/avbooth/item/20070209_podcast_elizabeth_de_la_vega_and_t...
Podcast: Elizabeth de la Vega and the Case for Impeachment
Posted on Feb 9, 2007

Intro: You are listening to original audio by truthdig.com. For more information resources, visit us on the Web at www.truthdig.com.

James Harris: In the worst display of media coverage I’ve seen in a long while, news stations and papers buried us this week with ridiculous, inconsequential headlines. Let’s take a look at this week’s news: Remember the diaper-wearing astronaut set out to kill her lover’s lover? Ted Haggard is now cured of homosexuality. Nancy Pelosi wants a bigger airplane for her staff. Anna Nicole Smith, the former Playboy bunny—she’s now deceased. Meanwhile, under the things that matter: The 2008 budget. Bush proposed that more than 25 percent of that be spent on the war on terror. Military officials are calling for increased civilian involvement. The Pentagon is investigating again the botched attempts to draw links between Saddam and al-Qaida. Not to mention 70 percent of Americans want out of Iraq and the Iranian leader has said to us, point blank, if you come in here you’re gonna get hurt. So there will be no discussion today of Anna Nicole or Ted Haggard’s magical conversion. Today we’re drilling beneath the headlines. This is Truthdig. Let’s meet our panel. Here with Mr. Josh Scheer, the surefire Truthdig contributor. If you haven’t had a chance, be sure to listen to his Stanley Sheinbaum interview, which has received rave reviews. Mr. Robert Scheer is also here, author of “Playing President” and has written a scathing criticism of the Bush budget proposal currently on Truthdig. Be sure to read all of those articles. We have the distinct pleasure of welcoming former federal prosecutor Elizabeth de la Vega, who is the author of the new title the “United States v. George Bush et al.” Let’s start with your book, Ms. de la Vega.
Elizabeth de la Vega: Yes.

I blogged about this the other day. Why isn't Rep Pelosi the acting President?

http://u-everwonder.blogspot.com/

Does anyone really think this is going to happen?

It would be nice, but they'll probably tie it up in the courts for years and we'll end up footing the bill in the long run. I say ship them to Iraq and leave them in the desert - a lot easier on all of us (well, maybe not Iraq) - maybe they won't notice?

if not,
yo mismo me voy a Paraguay y le parto el osico.

crossing fingers as well.

Hopefully public flogging is a punishment in the world court *crosses fingers*

they own land in a few countries, UNFORTUNATELY

on the simpsons they show hitler riding his bike in the south of latin america, i guess the "jumping into the future joke" w/ bush is inevitable... cause he is hitler re incarnated, right? and hitler started the whole torch ceremony thing, so it finishing with bush in office must be some sort of cosmic time alignment, right?

Cosmo_Plavix: Actually, I think it will be Paraguay. That's where Bush reportedly bought land right next to the Guarini Acquifer. BTW, good to see you back here.

http://www.counterpunch.org/cp10202006.html

I hear you Carolyn, skeptism is about all the people have received from this administration.

That is what the Feds did to get Al Capone...I could believe there is something they are hiding on that score. I still say we should come together after they are out and file a class action lawsuit to have their assets frozen to pay for this "war" they lied to get us into, and also call for a new inquiry into the events surrounding 9.11. We don't have the whole truth on that either.

can we get them for tax evasion?

The International Criminal Court Treaty, to be set up in The Hague to try political leaders and military personnel charged with war crimes and crimes against humanity was opposed by the U.S. In 2001 the Senate added an amendment to a military appropriations bill that would keep US military personnel from obeying the jurisdiction of the proposed ICC. We have been betrayed by more than just Bush and Cheney. The entire Congress is guilty of war crimes not only for allowing Bush and his cabal to gain this unitary executive, but for approving his war funding bills as well. Everyone in Congress who voted for this war, to fund this war, and to confirm Bush's appointments who have kept this war going have blood on their hands.

I think it would be impossible to charge Bush, Cheney or anyone of his milita, er, Cabinet with crimes while their are in power.

But once Bush and Cheney step down and are basically private citizens it'll be much, much easier.

They will still be guilty. A crime is still a crime even after they are no longer President and Vice President.

But I believe trying to get them now while they have the entire government at their disposal to shield them would by fruitless.

But get them OUT of office when they don't have access to the Justice Dept or Senators in Congress or anything else -- and you could make it happen.

If fact, that may be the silent strategy. I think everyone knows that while Bush is still in office he's like an untouchable Kingpin. But once that son of a bitch is out of office, stripped of power and sitting on his scrawny ass at his Crawford Ranch he's just a relatively powerless man.

Former President's usually still carry with them a lot of political clout after office -- but Bush is unique.

His approval rating is so low and he has pissed off so many people that once he's out of office -- I really believe we could charge him with war crimes and make it work.

it's almost like when a kid begs for ice cream and instead they get frozen yogurt. it's not the same!! we really gotta quit talking and take some action. B*tch and Chainme are probably 80% done with their underground homes by now.

He is talking about the world court. That's why he said they should not leave the United States any time soon. War crimes like the ones after WW II. They can't give themselves immunity from anything in that court.

It's interesting this man is giving opinions about the Bush administration and war crimes because he is not eligible to vote. It matters when comments are made by non citizens who cannot vote in America. I find Sullivan abrasive and loud mouthed. He is a Chris Matthews lap dog. He's disgusting!

I am skeptical this will go anywhere.

I like the idea but throw in the idea that we should wait untill we get a good,honest president,perferabaly a Democrat and after he's in office we go after all the war-mongers and profitters and we don't give them Presidential Pardons! What do you think?

Count me in. This is the best idea yet. I like the thought of Bush flying off for a photo op in Iraq and getting his Ass arrested. Personally I'd like to see him picking up trash along the worlds hiways forever.

I hope he isn't counting on this Congress or our presdential candidates to call for it. The only way that will happen is if the people do it... of course, we the people have been sitting for eight years allowing this damage to be done. We certainly don't look credible crying wolf now do we?

they should all be indicted. And I'd pocket the pessimism, people, or it'll never happen. That kind of "aahh, nothing gets done" attitude is exactly why nothing gets done! We can do this, we can organize and march and get the momentum up in 2009 and have them all thrown in prison. When they are not in power anymore, they cannot make the rules.

Who's with me?

(I really liked "Jerry Maguire")

I don't buy this story, but if I did..then..why isn't Bush being indicted as well? It almost sounds like those under Bush are mere pawns in the game of imperialism. It only seems like justice is served if we penalized the whole team not just one or two players.

i hope so..but rich politicians can get away with a lot of bullshit...unless you are Larry Craig

Does "at some point" mean never? Because I’m not holding my breath.

515dsm,
this isn't so much about politics as it is JUSTICE and RETRIBUTION. and plain ol' REVENGE for fucking up our country and dragging OUR names through the mud with their poorly thought-out warmongering policies.

Let's move on this. I want my country back.

Even if it does get out in the public no one will care at least most of the population wont. The american public does not care about politics. 99 percent of the population cares about Britney Spears's late night shoping sprees more than they care about torture memos

I like Andrew Sullivan, especially when he appears on Bill Maher's show. I would love, LOVE, to see them be brought up on charges, but as Patton Oswald has put it, they have turned into the Dukes of Hazard, jumping the General Lee over the Constitution and getting out of sticky situations.

it will never happen. ever ever ever. we can wish. we can pray for a firing squad, but it will never happen. the us will never accomodate that court. never. we will all learn to fly with lead weights before it happens. get to flappin them arms kids!

We are so disfunctional, we have to outsource justice. Our department of justice can't even investigate? What, is our justice system unqualified to investigate crimes?

Former Prosecutor, Elizabeth de la Vega wrote a book "United States v. George W. Bush et al.. In the book she walked the reader through 7 days of Grand Jury testimony using facts readily available. She makes a strong case for prosecution. Where is the follow-up? Our justice system doesn't even challenge her book, they ignore it.

I think he'd look great in an orange jumpsuit with a rag in his mouth and a gallon of water in his face.

I think Rumsfeld would look great in an orange jumpsuit!

this is the first step... getting it out there in the public discourse and on TV for people to talk about.

John C Yoo, acting as deputy assistant attorney general, was the Bush administration’s only legal opinion to conduct torture. His 2 opinions will be the crux to making any legal headway toward indictments. Even if people are brought up on war crimes and convicted, Bush will just pardon them.

The chiefly guilty should end up in the same cell, driving each other more insane as the years tick slowly by. Kinda like the last "Seinfeld".

Don't forget the Penguin, I mean Cheney. I'm glad there's someone in the media who brought this out into the light. It's about damn time if you ask me.

Here's hoping....

This will happen when hell freezes over.

In the world court. There is a good chance. Hope they add to the list.

"They will be, at some point, indicted for war crimes. "

I am not holding my breath.

And how is it that George and Alberto are not on the list?

I hope Sullivan is right. As terrible as it is that our elected criminals... I mean leaders are evil... they need to be held accountable.

That gives one reason to hope. This has been a nightmare, and I thought there would be no accountability. Maybe, Just maybe there will be.

its sadness and anger

http://www.alternet.org/blogs/video/66291/

accountability