George W. Bush has publicly admitted that he authorized torture. He must be held accountable. We are part of a worldwide movement to make sure this happens.
With open torture investigations in Spain, Italy, Australia, Canada, Lithuania, Poland and the United Kingdom, Bush and his cronies have fewer places to hide.
For our movement, this is just the beginning. The American people have a special obligation to make sure Bush is prosecuted for his crimes right here in the United States. Can this happen? You bet. The people and laws of the world are on our side.
Click here to send a letter to Attorney General Eric Holder demanding the prosecution of Bush for torture. After sending your letter, help us spread the word using the Email, Facebook and Twitter buttons at the top of this email.
Bush violated U.S. and international laws when he authorized torture, including the water boarding of detainees. Torture is a crime that can never be justified. It is illegal under the U.S. Torture Statue, the War Crimes Act and the United Nations Convention Against Torture. The U.S. Torture Statute provides for life in prison for anyone who commits, attempts, or conspires to commit torture outside the United States.
A U.S. appeals court said in 1980 that a torturer could and should be brought to justice wherever they are found. There is a global commitment to prevent torture and punish those responsible. The judges said, “The torturer has become like the pirate and slave trader before him … an enemy of all mankind.”
These laws against torture aren’t just words. They exist to prevent the kinds of brutal, inhumane acts authorized by Bush and company during the phony “war on terror.”
The Department of Justice must send a message: no one is above the law, including former President George W. Bush. U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder has the power to make this happen. Add your voice to the growing chorus of millions demanding “Indict Bush now!”
Thanks for bringing this situation to our attention, Johannes! It sounds like a bad action movie, but perhaps that is – in some ways – what Life is becoming in some parts of the world. The behavior of Bush and Cheney (& company) should absolutely NOT be condoned by the PEOPLE whom they were supposed to be representing. We should ALL stand up and have our voices heard in calling them to Justice. It is true that no one is above the law – no matter what their job might be (even as President or Vice President of the US).
I had the unfortunate experience of having an interaction with Dick Cheney a number of years ago. I found him to be utterly cold, harsh, belligerent, obnoxious, and caring not a thing for anyone but himself. He demonstrated his intent to override everyone and everything to attain his personal goals. I was greatly distressed to see him elected as the VP of our country. In my opinion, he is an embarrassment to the people of Wyoming, for they are (as a whole) absolutely nothing like him. I have little doubt that he is capable of those crimes of which he is accused.
That being said, and even though we must still all stand up for Justice throughout the world, we must also keep the “big picture” of the evolution of humanity in mind. Why are these behaviors being allowed to happen now (as they have happened in the past)? What is the lesson at hand? What is to be learned as a people or collective consciousness?
We are living in the Time of Transition (also known as the Time of Karma). This is a Time where we are each and all being given many opportunities to live in a state of Peace. How does one see Light without also seeing Darkness? We must see the absence of Peace in order to see that we must choose it in order to live it. So, we must choose our Peace, stand our ground, and allow Life to provide us with the stimuli to elevate our consciousness through daily living and every choice we make.
I wish you all the greatest gifts of Peace – in your Hearts and in your lives.
The information contained in this article is daunting to say the least. Disheartening on many levels. Here-in lies my distrust of almost all political figures, where their ruling factors are based on their own personal agendas and ulterior motives. I abhor any type of torture. I am an American, but first and foremost, I am a human being. Anyone that uses or authorizes torture is not a human being…nor an animal, that would be an insult to the animal kingdom.
All I can say is “Karma” – All actions will reflect back on the doer (s) of these actions in this and all subsequent lifetimes.
If you have time check out; http://www.killinghope.org
There is an author named William Blum that wrote a book called “Killing Hope: US Military and CIA Interventions Since World War II” I haven’t read it, however I did skim over some of the topics. These are not new revelations, I’d heard and read accounts of many of these topics before as I’m certain most of you have as well, but still interesting to read his details on foreign policy issues.
This is all so very disheartening…makes me want to take up residence in another world, because here in this society, there is no escaping ‘the torture’ from worldwide political tyrants.
“Victims of torture do not suffer alone. Victims’ families and friends are also greatly affected. Local society is damaged both through the trauma inflicted on its members and also through an instilled awareness that basic human rights are neither guaranteed nor respected. Freedom is not respected. People are not respected. The use of torture not only sends a strong warning to those within a political, social, or religious opposition, but also to normal citizens who cannot rightly claim to live in a free or safe society.” – a quote from International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims
Blessings ~
Thank you J for bringing this article to DE…
I hold dear the many blogs that Johannes posted on the former Divine Earth site in bringing attention and awareness to the countless crimes against humanity that both Bush and Cheney committed in their term in office ~ It is so disheartening that our society in general is so blind to the crimes that have been committed .. Many times I feel like I’m living on a different planet when I have attempted to bring up such topics with others outside of Divine Earth friends and so many people lack of awareness and interest in such matters .. I have even found hostile reactions! At the same our society waves the American flag and are quick to label and condemn those who do not follow the crowd ~ Freedom of speech is secretly controlled by the opinion of the masses …and what is so scary is to think where the masses get their opinions …
I truly believe that the Bush and Cheney are two of the major players in our life time of crimes against humanity…Even former President Jimmy Carter spoke out against the Bush administration’s role in the Cuban Guantanamo Bay U.S. prison (one small example) and is quoted in news articles of saying that he (Carter) knows the U.S. tortures prisoners in violation of international law under the Bush presidency ~
Carter also said on this topic: “Our country for the first time in my life has abandoned the basic principle of human rights… We’ve said that the Geneva Conventions do not apply to those people in Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo, and we’ve said we can torture prisoners and deprive them of an accusation of a crime to which they are accused.”
President Bush denied the reports, saying “This government does not torture people.”
Carter however rebuked the administration’s statement ~ Carter relied: “But you can make your own definition of human rights and say we don’t violate them, and you can make your own definition of torture and say we don’t violate them,” Carter’s quote ~
Also, the countless war crimes/activities of Cheney are deep, secretive and shocking with Bush’s endorsement, ranging from secret killing armies and deadly corporation activities ~
I feel your love for people and humanity in posting this blog and awareness, Johannes, and may freedom of speech prevail through the courage of voices such as yours – hopefully your flame will be carried on through many others ~ Profound blessings ~ Coralina ~