Now Playing: Inquisition II

With a new twist and sure to require subtitles. It would be a complete yawn-fest. Unfortunately with a president who is about as American as your average UN delegate from some bankrupt island country you've never heard of, it's hard to say how it works out. But then, as Obama's disaster preparedness plans will leave America with more in common with said island country than what we used to think of as the Free World, does it really matter all that much how it turns out? 

LONDON — A high-level Spanish court has taken the first steps toward opening a criminal investigation against six former Bush administration officials, including former Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales, on whether they violated international law by providing a legalistic framework to justify the use of torture of prisoners.

Comments

[bear1909]

What a profound waste of time.

They will spend 5 years discussing how to define "Torture" while being complete amnesiacs about who bombed their train
several years back.

Second rate country with second rate minds doing third rate bidding of George Soros.

Lock em in a room with Dick Cheney and see what shakes out.

[MarkJ]

Monty Python" had these "pendejos" pegged nearly 40 years ago:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHGOl-jfUK0&feature=related

[Robert Baird]

Are you referring to THE President of the United States of America you scum sucking fuck head?

[Magic Dog]

The legal basis for the inquiry is very strong, both internationally and domestically. The U.S. is signatory to several treaties against torture, and under Article VI of the U.S. Constitution treaties are co-equal with the Constitution in their legal force. The International Committee of the Red Cross is internationally recognized as the arbiter of what constitutes torture, and it declared the treatment of prisoners in Guantamano Bay to be torture.

It will take some time for the wheels to turn. It always does. But, in the end, a number of former U.S. officials will be subject to arrest, trial, and imprisonment if they travel outside of this country.

I will be surprised if the same thing happens within the United States, although you never know. If we were a country of laws and not men as we claim to be, then there would be investigations, trials and judgments. It is interesting to watch the American right wing stand up in favor of torture and against our own laws and Constitution. That, in and of itself, is worth the price of admission.

[Mitchell Merryman]

"with a president who is about as American as your average UN delegate from some bankrupt island country"

Dan:

Your mother must have drank like a fish when pregnant with you, nothing else explains your being born so painfully stupid.

[Dan Riehl]

Oh my, the enlightened Left descends!! ha

[heat]

With a nod to SNL Ditka skits.

Dick Cheney vs Spain (aka "Please Don't Hurt Us Scary Terrorists")?

The game would have to be cancelled due to Spain being a no show.

[Magic Dog]

Mitchell, it really chaps their asses that Obama isn't a white Episopalian with old-money ties. Those are pretty much the only people who the Republican Party recognizes as Americans these days. So, let's see. 14% of the country is black, and 16% is Hispanic, and 5% is Asian. That's one-third of the electorate that Republicans have decided doesn't meet the American standard, and as I look out for the next two or three decades I don't see that slice of the pie gettin' any smaller.

Wingnuts, I'd tell you to keep digging, but there's a problem: If you get far enough down, you'll wind up in China. Uh-oh.

[Pete]

Bigotry and treason. For Riehl.

[heat]

No expects the Spanish Inquisition!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gldlyTjXk9A

You guys on the left, cut it out, you're killin' us!

[Dan Riehl]

"So, let's see. 14% of the country is black, and 16% is Hispanic, and 5% is Asian."

Huh? Race and color have nothing to do with it, you idiots. I realize like your mossiah, you want to destroy capitalism and any sense of US sovereignty, but at least have the courage and honesty to admit that they are deeply American in a way that your dear leader is not.

[deminva]

"Oh my, the enlightened Left descends!! ha"

Yes, we're just dropping by to remind you that the racist Right is now routinely getting its lily-white ass handed to it on platters made from recycled plastic. It must be cold comfort to you, indeed, as you type your pathetic little jabs at President Obama, to know that the only traffic you're likely to get is from progressives who stop by to tell you that you're a dinosaur.

To borrow Glenn Beck's descriptor (which, it has become apparent, he won't need), you are surrounded.

[Carlton Van Nostrand]

What exactly renders Barack Obama less American than you or I, Mr. Riehl? Having a Kenyan father? Having lived in another country as a young child? Obama was born in the United States and has lived his life in various parts of the country from Hawaii to New York. His Kansan grandfather was a World War II veteran. He has spent his life in community service. I don't care if you disagree with his policies, but your ad hominem attack on his patrimony, and presumably, his patriotism, is does nothing to help your argument and, in fact, simply makes you look paranoid.

[Dan Riehl]

"you are surrounded."

Well, that's rather convenient seeing as how we're the ones with the guns!

[Mitchell Merryman]

"the enlightened left", US sovereignty and capitalism ? That's the best you got? FAS is a bitch, no?

[real doozy]

"Well, that's rather convenient seeing as how we're the ones with the guns!"
Precious! The list of right wingers too afraid to be drafted or to afraid to enlist is so long it requires chapters, let's see what happens when the bullets whiz. Remember, the barrel goes goes away from the body.

[Mitchell Merryman]

"What exactly renders Barack Obama less American than you or I, Mr. Riehl?"

I wouldn't expect an answer if I were you. Ms Coulter, I mean Mr. Riehl is not much for putting together consecutive coherent sentences. LOL.

[Brian]

Oh comeon. This is the 3rd Inquisition. The 2nd was when we (the US that is) rounded up a whole bunch of foreigners and then tortured them into false confessions before killing/ imprisoning them. I mean isn't that what an Inquisition is? Capture/ torture into confession/ kill or imprison?

The funny part is, we didn't have to torture some of them. KLM for instance was proud of what he did and has admitted it openly. He also admitted making stuff up under torture just so it would stop. Sounds effective to me. Why torture if you already have the info, unless the point is torture.

[heat]

"For the left, in American and elsewhere, European universal jurisdiction has become the weapon of choice to resolve political disputes. Israeli officials are the primary target of such Spanish Inquisitions, but Americans have been targeted in the past. European universal jurisdiction has become a tool to attack democracies, while the leaders of countries where real torture is practiced go free.

Brendan, don't cheer too loudly for the Spanish Inquisition. When you lower the bar for the claim of European universal jurisdiction, you are putting your own heroes at risk. Obama has ordered the bombing of Taliban and al-Qaeda hideouts in Pakistan, knowing that innocent civilians would be killed in the process; and there surely will be similar Obama administration actions which, when judged from an anti-American perspective and with the benefit of 20/20 hindsight, may be deemed "illegal" in some European country.

So don't send the airfare money for Yoo, you may need it for Obama."

http://legalinsurrection.blogspot.com/2009/03/american-left-outsources-spanish.html

[Jim Treacher]

"Yes, we're just dropping by to remind you that the racist Right is now routinely getting its lily-white ass handed to it on platters made from recycled plastic. It must be cold comfort to you, indeed, as you type your pathetic little jabs at President Obama, to know that the only traffic you're likely to get is from progressives who stop by to tell you that you're a dinosaur."

If you're winning so decisively, why are you so angry?

[Paul Kohnhorst]

Why not just go all out and refer to Obama as "that fucking Nigger", Mr. Riehl? Obviously you don't feel he can be American because he had one black parent.

It is so sad that this country doesn't have an opposition party based on something other than bigotry and anti-intellectualism. We need one. The Republicans long ago lost their right to sit at the same table with the grown ups.

[Brian]

heat,

Are you referring to the Bush Left (Mukasey prosecuting) that tried Chuckie Taylor for war crimes using similar laws or THE LEFT that didn't?

[Magic Dog]

Race and color have nothing to do with it, you idiots.

Keep telling yourself that. Obama got 98% of the black vote and two-thirds of the Asian and Hispanic vote. Non-white people in this country realize that the Republican Party does not regard them as "Americans," and big majorities of those populations are reacting just as you'd expect them to. At some point, the Republicans will realize that a vote is a vote, and that it's not in their interest to give one-third of the voters the impression that you don't think they are really Americans.

[Rob]

Waaaaaah!! We're not in power any more ='(

How do all these morons who voted for Bush (twice!) have the balls to criticise anyone these days? Have you no humility at all?

Now the 'enlightened left' - as you so sweetly call us - has the unpleasant job of cleaning up your mess. Don't worry, we don't expect any thanks.

[heat]

... tried Chuckie Taylor for war crimes using similar laws or THE LEFT that didn't?

Well if "We are all Liberian Warlords now," how is, Obama the bomber of Pakistan excluded?

[Dan Riehl]

Does it make you feel good to type that word, Paul? I'm sensing some pent up frustration on your part. Why do you always see color first and foremost? Sounds like you are a racist to me.

[heat]

First they came for the Liberian Warlords, and I said nothing...

[Andrew X]

Rob - Thanks for cleaning up the mess for us.

Although I've never seen a plumber come to fix my clogged toilet, and proceed do so by pouring a 1000 gallon bucket of excrement into my bathroom while proclaiming that "the fix is imminent..... just trust me".

But then, I'm no economic expert.

[Bosch's Poodle]

Wow, that is ultra creepy and offensive. People who declare presidents un-American due to policy differences are anti-American, because they are anti-democratic. They cannot accept that sometimes their candidates lose and that the governing majority does not include them. My God, what an infant.

[Mike Campbell]

Magic dog - you lying sack! Race and color have EVERYTHING to do with it! Otherwise you liberals would never win an election! You NEED the underclass, the malcontents, the illegals, the future criminal baby factories (single mothers), and all the other human debris to vote! The productive John Galts of this once beautiful country will never again vote for the Demosocialists! And before we are run over at the election box and allow all we have to be taken away, there will be some very ugly backlashes. Count on it.....

[Bosch's Poodle]

Dan, explain and defend your anti-American comment. Nobody considers you a, er, leading light of the right, but do you want to go on record this way, little man?

[Mitchell Merryman]

Danny Boyo, still waiting on that attempt to explain how Obama is not an American. Take your time, compose yourself, then give it a try. You can do it. I'll help, is it the "Arab" thing, the birth certificate, born in Kenya, come on lad, it's in you.

[Brian]

Actually we tried Taylor for torture. Weird.

"Charles ''Chuckie'' Taylor Jr., the son of the former president of Liberia, was sentenced to 97 years in federal prison Friday after his conviction for leading a campaign of torture..."

So, I guess since Bush and his buddies had no problem trying war criminals under similar laws for crimes similar to what Cheney has committed, we should have no problems trying our own people for the same thing? In fact, shouldn't those same people be pushing for the same treatment? Or is it just rank hypocrisy?

But good attempt at dodging my point. You almost had me.

[Magic Dog]

"Magic dog - you lying sack! Race and color have EVERYTHING to do with it!"

Funny you should say This. The first line of my posting was a quote from a rightwingnut here who tried to argue that race and color have nothing to do with it. That's not the case. The Republican Party has systematically alienated non-white voters by acting as if they are Americans. That's really not too bright.

"You NEED the underclass, the malcontents, the illegals, the future criminal baby factories (single mothers), and all the other human debris to vote!"

Please keep talking this way, Republicans, especially at election time.

"I guess since Bush and his buddies had no problem trying war criminals under similar laws for crimes similar to what Cheney has committed, we should have no problems trying our own people for the same thing?"

For right-wingers, the United States does not have a government of laws, but of men.

[Magic Dog]

I left out a "not" in my post, and it changed the meaning of the sentence. I meant to write: "The Republican Party has systematically alienated non-white voters by acting as if they are NOT Americans."

[Brian]

"For right-wingers, the United States does not have a government of laws, but of men."

Magic Dog, couldn't agree more. I've viewed them as some form of neo-monarchists for some time now. It's reallly weird. Projection after projection. Kinda sad really.

[Mike Campbell]

"For right-wingers, the United States does not have a government of laws, but of men."

And if the liberals don't like the laws, they just have a dictatator in black robes change them!

"Please keep talking this way, Republicans, especially at election time."

Democracy is more than two wolves and a sheep voting on who will be dinner - I repeat, we won't just allow the malcontents and lazy to confiscate this country through the ballot box - there will be severe blowback.....the sheep will have the gun.

[Unabogie]

Mike Campbell, what will you do with that gun? Are you threatening to kill your fellow Americans? Are your threatening American troops? Are you threatening President Barack Obama?

Spit it out. I'm fascinated.

[Jim]

"...with a president who is about as American as your average UN delegate from some bankrupt island country you've never heard of..." Are you kidding me? And would he be more American in your little world if he were all-white? Or would he be more American if he were less intelligent? Or would he be more American if he were a small-minded, woefully ignorant shameless asshole like yourself?

[Mike Campbell]

Defense is not a threat bogie man - and defense of property and self is a strong tradition in this country right from it's founding - are you familiar with history at all or has public education failed you too??

[Mark Turner]

"racist Right is now routinely getting its lily-white ass handed to it on platters"

This is a public service message is brought to you by the racist Left.

[templar knight]

"For right-wingers, the United States does not have a government of laws, but of men."

This from a supporter of Pelosi, I presume, when she referred to the enforcement of immigration law as un-American. You boys are laughable.

And your agenda looks less and less likely to come to fruition, as carbon offsets, energy proposals, and budgets come under attack from...white Democrats. What a hoot! And may I say ironic as well? Haha!

You boys remind me of that jaybird I busted a couple of days ago. He was crowing to high heaven moments before he hit the dirt. But he won't be bothering my garden ever again. LOL.

[Unabogie]

Come on Mike, you're not scared to tell us, are you? Who would you be shooting at? I mean, there you are in your Galtian paradise, and the parasitic usurper comes to your door to "second hand" you, and he's wearing...what?

Fatigues? Blue? Obama button?

Just who are you talking about?

[MarkJ]

Magic Dog,

"What exactly renders Barack Obama less American than you or I, Mr. Riehl?"

Whoa, dude! Did you actually see Obama's Magical Mystery Birth Certificate that proves he's an American citizen? What kind of secret contacts in Hawaii do you have? If you did see Obama's actual birth certificate, please share it with the rest of the country because nobody else has seen it. Hell, Obama has got that sucker locked up tighter than a brand-new sphincter.

Don't believe me? Just try asking Hawaiian state authorities for Obama's actual birth certificate--no, it's NOT the same as that infamous "certificate of live birth"--and see what kind of response you get.

I double-dare ya!

[Unabogie]

I see a Birfer!

Watch out, or Obama will send ACORN to get you.

Boo!

[Unabogie]

Oh, and really, even if your paranoid conspiracies were true and Obama was born in Kenya (which is batshit stupid), he'd still be an American citizen because his mother was American.

You do realize this, right?

[Mike Campbell]

The parasitic usurper would be mugging me on the street rather than coming to my door - or perhaps he'll just be breakin in! A huge increase in criminal activity is GUARANTEED anywhere the left is in charge - Detroit, Chicago, Los Angeles, etc., etc., etc. And with an ever increasing malcontent class discovering they can vote themselves a paycheck, it will only get worse. The DEFENSE is getting ready bogie man - you just bone up on that history.

[jbryant]

I'm sorry, but as person who is looking for answers to some pretty difficult situations, I find it disturbing to hear many the grandiose claims of the posters here from both the left and the right, none of whom seem the least bit interested in trying to make a better world, but rather seemingly more interested in childish name calling and tantrums.
Mr. Riehl, I'm not sure if you meant your comments about the president to be seen as a negative refence to his ethnicity or sking color, but I think it would be ignorant of you to not consider that it would be taken that way. To imply that his skin color or ethnicity somehow lessens his qualifications as an American is a rather offensive comment to make. Do you honestly believe the implication wouldn't be seen in what you wrote?Respecting your intelligence, then, which I do because I don't know you otherwise, I would have to conclude that you wished to cause offense. If so, why? Do you believe that it's really an honest or noble or even intellectually truthful thing to say? Look, I don't really have a horse in this race, and I'm not trying to "troll" or anything. Maybe I just don't understand the nature of internet postings,but I just don't see how this helps. I would offer that there is greater strength in our unity than in tearing each other to pieces. Is this kind of trash talking and ad-hominen attacks really the reason you started writing on the web? And as for the liberals - do you really think the not-subtle implications of moral superiority are really going to win people over? Thomas Jefferson was said to have said the following (I paraphrase): "I treat you as a gentleman, not because you are a gentleman, but because I am a gentleman."
-Jeff Bryant
Sacramento, CA

[Unabogie]

You're not making sense, Mike. First you suggested that malcontents would rob you "through the ballot box" and this suggests that you are one of those people who thinks Bush's 36% top rate vs Obama's 39% top rate is the difference between Galtian paradise and Stalin.

But you mentioned the ballot box. You weren't talking about muggers, so I don't think I'll let you change the subject to weasel out of your threats like a coward.

I know that right thinking patriots like you are not cowards, so I'm sure you'll be glad to tell us all which Americans, elected to run things, you plan on shooting.

[Mike Campbell]

A thief is a thief Bogie man - threaten my property either through outright theft or by ballot box and I will defend it - you read whatever you want into that. I will defend it from ANY CRIMINAL. You read whatever you want to into that. The founding fathers drew a line - The productive in this country have to draw one - soon. You lefties just seem to think we're an easy roll. Besides Bogie man, if you're such an honest hard working American why are you so worried about me defending my person and property????