War Crimes? At Least Investigate!
It’s always ironic to hear “law and order” conservatives discourage efforts to maintain… law and order. Example #1, currently one of the biggest elephants in the (Oval) room keeping our new president company, is the matter of whether former Bush administration officials—up to and including George W. Bush and Dick Cheney—should be investigated for crimes against the Constitution committed in the name of fighting terror.
Here’s Fox News stalwart Mort Kondracke last month:
".. The motive behind such efforts is not -- as claimed -- "truth" or "justice," but political vengeance.”
So Mort’s a mind-reader, able to accurately judge the motives of a substantial number of people who believe a “war crimes” investigation is not just necessary, but mandated? As they say on SNL, “really!”
The issue has become the new litmus test to determine who’s a level-headed, forward-looking pragmatist and who’s a Bush-hating, hair-on-fire, dirty hippie left-wing kook. Liberal blogger Glenn Greenwald is a leader of the latter “group,” examples here and here:
“This is why it is so unconscionable -- almost as revolting as the original acts themselves -- to hear so many Americans arguing that their leaders who were responsible for all of these crimes should be immunized and protected and their crimes left uninvestigated and forgotten. The reasons cited for this impunity are even more wretched -- the media wouldn't like it; it would interfere with Obama's ability to get his stimulus package passed; it would make right-wing talk-radio angry; these crimes happened "in the past" and can therefore be forgotten; the criminals aren't in power any longer; it would be "divisive" and undermine bipartisanship.
When the discussion remains at a high level of abstraction, it's easy to wave away "war crimes" and the need for accountability for those who commit them. But there are actual victims of these crimes -- lots of them, many of whom are completely innocent of having done anything wrong, many whose lives have been destroyed.”
Since when is it hating, or when is it vengeance, to seek legal justice? And by seeking justice, I don’t mean waterboarding Dick Cheney, I simply mean INVESTIGATING. It’s a common position for people who don’t believe they’ve done anything wrong: take a look at the facts, and decide if crimes were committed or not. But Bush administration officials and their defenders, including many in the media, recoil at the thought of even considering raising the issue. What are they so afraid of?
They don’t seem to have much to fear from the new Obama administration. The President has sent numerous, only slightly ambiguous signals, that he’ll be focused on the future and not the past, code for “we’re not going there.” But as I understand the American system of justice, the future IS dealing with possible wrongdoing in the past. Since when does sweeping alleged unconstitutional activities under the rug, allegations with ugly names like torture and illegal wiretapping, equal a fresh start? Even South Africa realized there had to be efforts to find truth and reconciliation after decades of apartheid if that country was ever to find a new beginning. In keeping with the tortured logic of the Bush apologists, there’s no need for courts or trials or investigations for ANY crime. The expense and the time it takes to select juries, and build jails! Besides, it's over with.. let’s move on!
It might not even be up to our new president to make this call, with some insisting that international laws passed with the support of the United States mandate an investigation. Barack Obama will have a hard time convincing the rest of the world the U.S. is on a new path if he’s seen immediately as one more American president who picks and chooses what laws his administration follows. At least investigate.
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Comments: 34
Jim,
Give him a break, he's only been in office for a day, and he did inherit a real mess. We don't know for sure what he will do or administer. I never expect too much from a President. I know better. The only President that did anything of any consequence was Harry Truman. Good or bad, he had to make a choice. We all know now that FDR pulled us into the BIG war by inviting the Japanese to bomb Pearl Harbor. Truman had to finish the job. Of course, many lives were lost and many mistakes were made, but still everyone was patriotic. Now we have a 2 fold problem. Our economy is quickly falling apart and there is war raging in the middle east. Obama has his work cut out for him. He's young. I wonder when his hair will start to turn gray. Will he age gracefully or start to look so old, that his 47 years will turn to 67. overnight.....Leeobserverindependentthinker
Didn't Nixon get off scott free? Believe me I am not sitting on the fence. I was a Dem, Rep, Dem, Independent. I have changed my political parties so many times, and what has that done?
Absolutely nothing!!! Lee
politicalsatiregoesalonglonglongway,however,this
isseriousstuffnowofdays,nomorewavestothecrowds
thatmeannothingletitmeansomething!!!
Hubby suggested that Obama should have not had 10 "balls". Put a kabash on all the
balls already! He should have had a BBQ on the white house lawn, and shown everyone that the new administration was not going to spend a ton of money on partying. I tend to agree with this logic, however, like every other prez, he was entitled to have his party day, with Michelle in a pretty white dress *yes she used a new unknown designer, yes they are being careful, but you can't be too careful these days when so many are down and out, via being poverty stricken or war torn....Leegoodnightseeyouonthenews
FYI: The Nam war destroyed a good part of my youth. I am a baby boomer. I was married to a vet, a long tortured marriage. It finally ended badly, although I tried to get thru it. The Post Tramatic Stress Syndrome etc. etc. It scares me to think of what this war is doing to young men and women, although they are more patriotic due to the 911 bombings. LEEaproductof
herenviornment
I absolutely do NOT think that the previous administration should be Investigated for War Crimes. The war on terror seems to be a war that is fought differently from conventional wars. When you have these people who blow themselves up in the name of martyrdom, one has to fight the best way possible to stop these people. To me, it sounds like the democratic party seeking revenge. Its time for the nonsense to stop and lets help the new president get the country back on track. We don't need to spend the next 3 or 4 years and millions and millions of dollars just to seek revenge on the previous administration. I feel like they did their best after 9/11 and they took the measures they deemed appropriate to safeguard the country.
Do not forget that this country came under attack.
Jim,
You are supposed to be a journalist that provides unbiased reporting. I can't look at you this way anymore, and I certainly cannot trust your news broadcast when it comes to Barack Obama because you guys are so head over heels for him it's not fair and it make for a very unprofessional newscast and that's what WPIX has become. In your position you have to be out of your mind to be posting your opinions like this and I don't know why or how your bosses allow this. FYI, I voted for Obama, wasn't crazy about Bush and am happy the country is headed in a new direction but it would be nice to turn on the TV and hear an objective portrayal of the day's events. WPIX, for me, has become almost unbearable to watch because you guys all sound like a bunch of kids with all the banter and unasked for personal takes on news events. What if your viewers have different takes on the news stories than you do? Roger Grimsby, Bill Beutel and all the others from the good old days of news broadcasts would turn in their graves if they watched WPIX. I was a fan but no more. I only turn on your channel to hear Mr. G's forecast then switch over to channel 9 where Brenda Blackmon and company deliver more of an old-style toned-down newscast which suits my tastes just fine.
Let the first witness in a war-crimes or civil-liberties violation trial be ANY American who was so much as denied a library card - let alone unlawfully imprisoned - under the Patriot Act. To my recollection, Jim, you never presented a news story about even one person whose rights were abused by the Government in the past 7 years. The maltreatment of Muslim air passengers were transgressions of private corporations. Oh boy, what a repressive government we live under!
As for Gitmo and waterboarding, Cheney may shock us all by surviving it, but he still can't reveal the plans or locations of any terrorists! But at the time of his capture in 2003, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed could, and did. Is the "ticking time bomb" apt justification for the use of non-lethal torture? Or even lethal torture? It does seem that you and Keith Olbermann would prefer to keep Gitmo open only for the purpose of replacing the inmates with members of the Bush administration. But I will part company with the two previous posters as I actually welcome such an investigation, and subsequent trials, as much as you do. Yes, "Bring it on!" But please remember this prediction, Jim. IT AIN'T GONNA HAPPEN. And you will feel as frustrated with this chickening-out by liberals as I often feel by the timidity of conservatives on so many issues of importance to me.
I have so many last names, that the banks drive me crazy. I do, however, believe in this, because of terrorism and identity fraud. I was a victim 10 years ago, when a woman in Nebraska
*using my name and social security number, did a number on my credit cards. Security is becoming tighter and tighter. We must say this about Bush, we had no terror attacks on our mainland while he was in office. Don't like what he did with the energy crisis, he is a big business oil man and the little guys were paying 5 dollars at the pump. Listen up, since he is gone now, the prices went down, as we all know. The Bush regime was in office too long, like father, like son.....LEE
Jim,
For a second I agreed wiht Randy (above),but after reading your blog a second time, I would say to Randy: "Calm down!" Calling for an investigation does NOT make Jim a liberal, or a declared in-your-face Obama-lover. It is really the mark of a true, professional, OBJECTIVE journalist to ask for the FACTS. That is really all Jim is doing here, asking for the facts, so that an investigation can take place. Jim's blog does NOT indict the Bush admin, he is merely (grumpily) winders if just shoving it all under the carpet, with no way for journalists to accurately analyze the situation, is fair. It keep Jim from doing his job.
Jim probably did err in using the word "conservatives" to describe those who don't want to give us all the FACTS. But Randy, read this again before you give up on Jim. He is being a reporter. And reporters hate it when access to information - all the information - is denied them. Regards, Laurie from Jersey
If my ex killed a man in the heat of battle, and he was shot at or not, should he be prosecuted for war crimes? I think not!!!!! War is hell, and the suffering sustained is horrendous...War crimes, no deal...Lee
Did any of you see the movie PLATOON? This movie was the most factual one of them all. Forget the other war movies.
Lee wholivedit
TO JIM AND ALL THE GANG REPORTING THIS MORNING
Each news report is the same, but different. It is the way it is presented. The general public is aware of this, so they watch who they want, or who is pretty, or who is serious. It is just a matter of personal taste. If Channel 11 doesn't serve a purpose for you, or anyone here, don't watch it. Watch another channel. We certainly have enough channels to watch. I basically think that people *at least most people
are smart enough to muddle thru their TV reporting....LEE hasherownideas
In the old days, I remember the news being so boring and dragged out, that I hated it. I'm not saying that people should be giggling all the time, but I like some personality in my news report. I have TV's all around me, as I deal in a news reported lifestyle. I can pull apart the news and figure out what I think is right. I am not always right, because I can be biased in some issues that hit close to home....LEE
PS:relaxandsmelltheroses
Hey Lee, this isn't your blog. Cool it.
Jim, agree 100%. Keep being objective, and also letting us know indirectly how an intelligent observer would react to the news you report.
Oh, and what happened to Sal? Please tell me he retired?
Jim, you are absolutely right and, for the record, my husband and I love your newscast. Not saying it's perfect (didn't love the woman-with-no-coat expose), but most of the time it's intelligent, interesting, and informative. Kaity and you have great chemistry with each other and Mr. G., and I like Lolita doing sports. I do think there should have been something by way of explanation for Sal, but I'm guessing that your hands were tied. Keep blogging and sharing! Thanks, Vicki
Dick C. should have stepped off that VP platform like Spiro A. did during the Nixon years.
Now:
Al Gore, there's a gentle MAN *loves his food... likes the regular guy look. Remember, it isn't easy BEING GREEN,aka Kermit the Frog from Sesame Street News.....
Lee *andAlwonaNobelPeacePrize
Jim,
Tell Kaity to wear some pastels already. I mentioned this before....Lee ORisblackher
signaturecolorcouturedepressing
Who is Sal?....Lee??????
Since this has opened up a kind of discussion about the general state of local news today. If you copy and paste the link below you'll read an excellent sampling of viewer responses when the a writer from the Pittsburgh Post Gazette asked his readers what they expected from a local newscast:
http://74.125.47.132/search?q=cache:J970mmqu2NgJ:www.post-gazette.com/pg/08081/863982-237.stm+news+broadcast+banter+unprofessional&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=2&gl=us
For me not only has most of, not all of, but most of the local TV news has become hard to watch because of anchors stumbling all over their words with silly, embarrassing banter trying to or straining to entertain instead of just giving the news, but now terms like "breaking news" and "developing stories" are completely misused and overused. The term "Breaking News" means nothing anymore. And now we have to read what the anchors really think with these silly blogs. If I was the news director I would not allow this, I don't think this is a good idea.
Thank goodness there are still some anchors like David Ushery, Chuck Scarborough & Bill Ritter (just to name 3) who's enthusiasm and personalities for news is exhibited through their broadcast with banter kept at a minimum.
I know this isn't my blog, however, I am impressed that you asked. I am no threat to anyone, nor would I be. Maybe, I write too much, but that is my business.....Lee
I don't know who Lee is?
I don't like Channel 11 news.
I voted for McCain and Palin. I am moving to Alaska, so I thought I would give them a shot at fame. She would no longer be Governor Palin, but the Vice President. Since this is now a moot issue, I do accept our new President and I'm sure he will do a good job. I wonder if the tables were turned, what might have happened to the Clintons. I think Hillary liked her Senate seat, but would love to be President. I dont think that will never happen now because she will be too old to run in four or eight years.
You guys are ok, but you are not on the main channels of 2 4 and 7. Mad Money would be a step up, better than channel 11 and what is the pix for.It doesn't sound better than wpix.
Sometimes I fool around on her computer, but I didn't think Brian would make a comment like that. She's a great gal and very smart. You really wouldn't want to challenge her intelligence, because, you don't know who she is. As for this Sal person, who the heck is he? She went out and I am reading the latest Watkins blog. Is he for real or what? I don't think he is the brighest apple on the tree. Didn't they dump him from channel 4. Couldn't keep up with the competition hey jimbo?
Agree with Randy 100 percent. You and your newscast are a joke.
Jim,
You are absolutely right. Let's not forget and learn from history.
If we are a nation of laws it should apply to everyone. It should have applied to Richard Nixon. The fact that he was pardoned by Gerald Ford is part of why Bush & Cheney felt he could do whatever he wanted. Remember the old adage "Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely."
If we want to ensure that we remain a nation based on the rule of law, we must investigate and prosecute (or, at least, censure and condemn) anyone who breaks the law.
Remember, we supposedly went to war for WMDs that were never there! The deaths of over 4,000 US soldiers and scores of thousands of Iraqis resulted. All this requires investigation and airing of the truth.
What is worse than bringing the nation to war on distortions if not lies!!
What is worse than bringing the nation to war on distortions if not lies!!
Investigate Bush's "war crime"? You have got to be kidding me...
Sure, don't charge those guys in Gitmo bay for terrorism, and be a nice nation to let them go. On the other hand, let's charge Bush for his "war crime" that he protected us from further harm from terrorists (no successful attack on US soil after 9/11 so far in case people don't remember)...
I can't believe so many people (willingly) forget (like the liberals) 9/11 after only 7 years, and take America not being attacked again for granted.
God forbid should another 9/11 happen because we let our guard down...
Jim, you are an intelligent, competent person as well as anchor. If people think differently, then you don't know Jim Watkins.
Anyway, I think an investigation of most of Bush's actions and those of his cronies should occur. Personally, I think Bush makes Nixon look like Abraham Lincoln. Here's to better days when a President actually takes into acccount what his countrymen/women think of him whether they voted for him or not. I can't remember a President who ever tried to do that as much as Obama, and I'm forty years old.
Are you Jim's wife? Or, sister, or sister-in-law, or mother, or some other relative? I think you must be THE WIFE....Lee
*beingafan,orrelativeisokbutyoudon'thavetoagree
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