Sweet Jesus.

P.S. - Love that poem, Good Celery. Powerful.

The strongest response that Bush can provide to those who charge him with crimes related to torture, will be to explain; what was done, why it was done, and the benefits from those actions.

To date, there is much we don't know. We don't have access to all of the intelligence.

I don't think obama will want us to have that intelligence.

Maybe some of it (the part that makes Bush look bad) but not the stuff that could cause fear, or worse (to democrats), justify in the minds of voters, the harsh interrogation tactics that were employed.

I personally believe that Bush acted to protect us. Whether he actually did, I can't prove (nor disprove). One reason I believe this to be Bush's motivation is that I don't see that Bush received any type of personal gain from harsh interrogation tactics. None whatsoever.

A full and open investigation could provide an answer to Bush's motivation.

Don't expect the democrats to lead that investigation. It's not in their interest.

I feel that this is a task more suited to space aliens or perhaps one of our friends to which we have "rendered" suspected terrorists. It simply is unseemly for a sitting President to probe, torture or otherwise administer justice to his predecessor. Don't we have some friends in Syria, Egypt or Pakistan who have both the expertise and facilities to get all the information we would want from Mr. Bush and then there is that crack government in Iraq that we have set up who so aptly dealt with Saddam Hussein in a dignified and proper manner suiting a leader such as Mr. Bush.

Oh wait, Obama's birth certificate is a forgery. Maybe he better just let Bush and his cronies escape justice. Let's forget the whole last 8 years.

Just like Clinton and that drug smuggling operation in Mena Arkansas which saved Bush I and Reagan from scrutiny and justice.

"Norman Rockwell really did have a knack for capturing everyday scenes, like this one of Democrats and Republicans working together...

http://tomoki.tea-nifty.com/tomokilog/images/whitewash_1.jpg

True Bipartisanship!"

I suggest that if Bush pardons people for torture and war related misdeeds that we arrange for them to be tried for war crimes. And while we are at it, Bush and Cheney, and all the rest of the scoundrels who were involved in getting us into the war.

Isn't someone trying to set up an international war crimes tribunal? All we have to do is sign on for that. Pres. Bush can pardon anyone he wants under US law, but that won't necessarily clear them under international law.

There are several critical issues in dealing with Bush's high crimes and misdemeanors. First, is to return to constitutional procedures and prevent future abuses of power by the executive. Second, to do the first in a way that contributes to healing the nation rather than exacerbating the bitter partisan divide we have now.

While there would be some satisfaction is seeing the malefactors go to jail, that would also inflame the hard-core republicans and therefore is not worth it if we can avoid it.

We need a Truth and Reconciliation Commission (T & R) modeled after the South African process. Such a commission would be able to get the truth out, would avoid partisan wrangling, and should stimulate a thoughtful discussion of the constitutional and human rights issues. Further, by getting a full accounting and admission of the abuses, the process should serve as a strong deterrent to future abuses.

The T & R Commission also provides a tremendous incentive for the administration officials to cooperate: if they tell the truth and repent, they are then forgiven. If they refuse to tell the truth or refuse to cooperate, they then face prosecution. And given that many will take the opportunity for forgiveness and will tell their stories, prosecuting the holdouts should be much easier.

What about international law and the precedents established after world war II? Participants in Bushes crimes may be pardoned by Bush for violations of US laws but Bush cannot pardon them for violations of international law. They should be tried as violaters of international law in the same manner as Serbian officials and others.

The big test will come when George W. Bush arranges forhis own pardon. It will, I believe, take one of two forms:

A flat out pardon written by George w. Bush, for George w. Bush.

On January 19, 2009, a full pardon forDick C~heney, followed by a resignation by Geroge W. Bush, swearing in of DickCheney and a full pardon ofgeorge w.Bush by President Cheney.

My betting is on the second one because it involves no possiblity of constitutional challenge and because it would appeal to Bush/Cheney due to its blatant"stick in the eye" natur to the American people.

And 100% of Conservatives will defend either one of the above, due to their continued allegience to George W. Bush.

Of course congress can still have the last word because it can call private citizen Bush to testify of what he knows, with not invoking of theFifth Amendment. What is unfortunate is that Ex-President Bush would fight it and just refuse to testify. and he can count on continued 100% loyalty of Congressional Republicans, forever.

this country ever had going for it. When Obama closes Gitmo we have much coddling to do. They'll soon be on our doorstep. Kneel on your rug and bray toward Mecca.

Let Bush, Gonzales, Cheney, etc. be gathered up in a sweep as they are, after all, criminal terrorists. It should be simple to follow their lead in dealing with them at that point as they developed the blueprint.

And I want to see Obama's administration and Congress ratify the International Agreements that allow prosecution in the World Court.

Bush's pardons cannot prevent prosecution by other nations. Justice for his victims is unlikely to come from the United States. But, they can be prosecuted by the governments of the victims, as well as by anyone under universal jurisdiction for war crimes.

Yes, Americans will not likely be extradited to face justice in other countries, but international arrest warrants will at least keep the perpetrators confined to the US for life.