Last week, outgoing US Vice-President Dick Cheney made a series of remarkable comments in his exclusive interview with ABC. Cheney admitted to playing a role in the authorization of the use of waterboarding and other 'aggressive interrogation techniques', defended the decision to listen-in on domestic phone calls, and essentially provided broad approval for all the actions taken by his government over his tenure. In the first part of our interview with Michael Ratner, Michael gives his analysis of both the significance of the interview, and what he believes are Cheney's motivations for such an uncharacteristic offering of information from the notoriously secretive VP.
BioMichael Ratner is President of the Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR) in New York. He has taught at Yale Law School, lectured at Columbia Law School, and was President of the National Lawyers Guild. Comments from Registered Members | (Register or log in to make your comment.) | DuncanIdaho 2008-12-25
Why did he "confess"? Simple. To demonstrate what anyone with an ounce of gray matter in his noggin already knows: the US is an Empire and it is run by Emperors who are simply not accountable in any real way for any thing whatsoever. many Yankistani's don't seem to realize they are living in Rome. Thank god it's burning. | ANZAC68 2008-12-24
All this BS is 'closing the gate after the horse has bolted'. I hope, for many reasons, the people in USA fully understand the horrendous image they have around the World now. You are seen as War Mongers and Invaders NOT Liberators. You are seen as Torturers and Hypocrites rather than upholders of the moral high ground. You are seen more as Robbers Barons and Economic Vandals than leaders in Capitalism. ALL your moral, national and military 'Equity' has been squandered since the start of the Vietnam debacle. It's gone, all gone. Any of you that doubt this, have a look at your economy, your standing globally amongst your 'allies' and the ever increasing number of nations willing to stand against you. I'm trying to work out who's playing the fiddle most over there; who’s your Nero? | RhodaLee 2008-12-22
This was another, "SO", moment for the one that is nocturnal. I love ccrjustice so much, yet if he says this on a TV screen in order to gain a Pardon, no. It makes all he's ever said moot, this is as legally binding by Code as a video. The Murderer amended TITLE 18 - CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PUNISHMENT,Chapter 18 - WAR CRIMES, Ss2241, pgs 531-534 of US Code.This is '06,20 July '08, a PDD re; Torture, ergo whom is more guilty? The Occupant of 1600 for amending CAT3 without publicly admitting this occured or the EVIL DOER admitting what WHIG has been doing all along. | jpeterse 2008-12-22
Wikipedia describes waterboarding as creating the sensation of drowning, and victims respond as as though they're dying. According to the article, there is risk of severe mental and physical trauma and even death. When Cheney admits to its use in one or a few cases, it's reasonable to believe there's plenty more than a handful of case that remain hidden. This is definitely one of those things we people can target to hold Obama to his progressive rhetoric. Ralph Nader is spear-heading a movement called november5, that looks to hold Obama accountable to his word. Well, the information is there, it just has to be acted on. To discuss, email jpeterse@iastate.edu | sumdog 2008-12-22
There is an excellent article in the December 2008 issue of Harper's about charging the former administration. The current administration has tried so hard to make there actions seem questionable, just as the issue with global warming, but in reality there universal agreement from humanitarians and justice department officials outside the administration that what happened with torture, wiretaps, etc, were completely illegal, without question.
Letting these people go will set a very bad precedence for the US and the world. | CharlieL 2008-12-22
How about this. President Obama grants a complete and total pardon to each and every membrer of the Bush/Cheney criminal administration (besides Karl Rove, just for spite) for "all crimes they committed during their time in office."
Then, he signs the USA up to be a part of the World Court and pledges "complete and total cooperation with the World Court in any and all trials they may conduct. "We need to establish that the United States is a member of the World Community and willing to abide by the decisions of the World Court. If any American citizen, including and past or present government leader, is indicted by the World Court, we will hand them over to the Hague for a fair and impartial trial."
If the world wants Bush and Cheney, they can have them. If THEY aren't willing to go after them, then they will skate until karma gets them. | Jtrbug1958 2008-12-22
All the Togdogs of the Bush Adm. should be brought up on criminal charges including torture and murder of our boys in a war that was started under false pretences and outright lies. Murder? Yes, our boys died there for oil and Hallaburton, not fighting terrorism.
From the financial district to Dc, they need to be exposed and procecuted. | RMorgan 2008-12-22
I was under the impression that they already snuck a blanket pardon into a bill that passed the house and senate without debate. |
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