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George W. Bush Thinks the Bush-Era Torture Should Be Investigated

Posted by Steve Benen, Washington Monthly at 2:15 PM on April 27, 2009.


If Democrats are looking for an excuse to do the right thing, they don't have to say much more than, "We're doing what Bush told us to do."

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The right sentiment for a U.S. president to express when it comes to government-sanctioned, government-directed torture policies:

"It's important for people to understand that in a democracy, there will be a full investigation. In other words, we want to know the truth. In our country, when there's an allegation of abuse ... there will be a full investigation, and justice will be delivered. ... It's very important for people and your listeners to understand that in our country, when an issue is brought to our attention on this magnitude, we act. And we act in a way in which leaders are willing to discuss it with the media. ... In other words, people want to know the truth.

"That stands in contrast to dictatorships. A dictator wouldn't be answering questions about this. A dictator wouldn't be saying that the system will be investigated and the world will see the results of the investigation."

You could probably guess by the frequent reference to "in other words" that this wasn't Obama, but rather, was George W. Bush, speaking to al Arabiya after the Abu Ghraib scandal erupted.

"Full investigation." We want to know "the truth." We believe in "justice." "We act" in response to allegations of torture. We're transparent and discuss developments "with the media." To fail to answer questions is to act like a "dictatorship."

It seems to me if Democrats are looking for an excuse to do the right thing, they don't have to say much more than, "We're doing what Bush told us to do."

Digg!

Tagged as: bush, torture, bush administration, george w. bush, bush-era torture

Steve Benen is "blogger in chief" of the popular Washington Monthly online blog, Political Animal. His background includes publishing The Carpetbagger Report, and writing for a variety of publications, including Talking Points Memo, The American Prospect, the Huffington Post, and The Guardian. He has also appeared on NPR's "Talk of the Nation," MSNBC's "Rachel Maddow Show," Air America Radio's "Sam Seder Show," and XM Radio's "POTUS '08."


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laughing too hard to breath
Posted by: jstepp590 on Apr 27, 2009 2:47 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Even better, start the investigations. Wait for the conservative media to freak out and do their whole song and dance. Allow President Obama to get backed into a corner where he is forced to answer to the Republicans, preferably on live TV or at least filmed, then amBush them with this!

It will point out to even the most ignorant that the Republicans are floundering and still can't get their shit together. Then we can have another 4yrs of President Obama.

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Probe anything, just not 9/11
Posted by: weathered on Apr 27, 2009 4:16 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
This tragic figure GW Bush who played a President was enabled by a team of handlers, from his father's sinister hand, to his press secretary to the MSM/PBS/NPR that kept his 'performance' plausible.

All of them conspired in Technicolor to bring this once honorable country to its knees.

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Laws Are For the Rest of Us
Posted by: DrBrian on Apr 27, 2009 5:26 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The Bushes favored the Vietnam war, but didn't think they should have to fight. They have favored draconian drug laws, but when George W. and Noelle got nabbed, they were let off the hook. They favored sending crooks to jail, but when George W. engaged in insider trading and Neil drove Silverado S&L bankrupt with crooked deals, they weren't held accountable. They wanted strict customs inspections, but when Columba was caught smuggling it was ok.

Laws are for the rest of us. Just ask Lynddie England and Charles Graner.

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» RE: Laws Are For the Rest of Us Posted by: tim_s_eb@yahoo.com
UN Torture law signed by neocon hero Reagan
Posted by: John Edward on Apr 27, 2009 6:11 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Actual wording from the UN Convention on Torture.
1 "Torture means any act by which severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, is intentionally inflicted on a person for such purposes as obtaining from him or a third person information or a confession, punishing him for an act he or a third person has committed or is suspected of having committed, or intimidating or coercing him or a third person, or for any reason based on discrimination of any kind, when such pain or suffering is inflicted by or at the instigation of or with the consent or acquiescence of a public official or other person acting in any official capacity."
2 "No exceptional circumstances whatsoever, whether a state of war or a threat of war, internal political instability or any other public emergency, may be invoked as a justification of torture."
3 "No State Party shall expel, return ("refouler") or extradite a person to another State where there are substantial grounds for believing that he would be in danger of being subjected to torture."

We are Guilty, Guilty Guilty. Now with an authoritarian neocon administration who should we blame, let me think?

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Turn States Evidence W and get a 'get out of jail' Free Card
Posted by: Purple Girl on Apr 28, 2009 4:29 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
W knows as well as the rest of America- W was literally the 'Acting' President- just like Ronny had been. Admitting his Presidency was highjacked by Cheney,Rummy & Wolfie would not be a startling revelation. What little W was allowed to hear, he most likely barely understood, far too concerned with his appearance as the 'Decider'. W was like a kid you let sit at the steering wheel, with the keys pulled out of the ignition.
Cheney Rummy and Wolfie ahve been doing back room deals and pulling levers from the 'shadows' for decades. Setting in motion the events of 9/11. Providing aid & comfort to both AQ and Saddam (anthrax) in the '80's. Sell US Off to the Oil Royals. Undermining and Rigging elections-Start with The '80 election.The Recession was in full swing when Carter took office, yet misconstured it to be his fault. The Iran contra scandal was a blatant attempt to undermine the Sitting President-trading Arms for Hostages. These three have been committing High crimes for decades- so for any pundit to claim that these three are 'Patriots' is an outrage.
We need to not only convict them for these War crimes, but the treason and Crimes against humanity they have committed over the last few decades.
W has nothing to lose- his presidency is already deemed a disaster. But we have everything to gain by hearing his side of the story.I'm betting he has far more incriminating information than just regarding torture. In fact W may be able to redeem himself in the eyes of history if he is the one who finally reveals the Organized crime syndicate which has betrayed this country and the world for decades.
"Revenge is a dish Best Served Cold" W, Decide to Turn States Evidence.

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Steve Benin, Bush knows that as long as you and all of the media avoid 9/11 truth, he is safe.
Posted by: pfgetty on Apr 28, 2009 4:31 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
It is simple: Bush knows he is safe from prosecution as long as our media does not expose the lies of 9/11.
Bush knows that the American people will understand that Bush/Cheyney were only acting for the good of all Americans if they did some legal corner cutting and tortured to get information that helped them avert more 9/11's. Although I feel torture is not necessary in keeping us safe, it is a valid and understandable argument that putting a few people through misery to save the lives of literally hundreds of thousands of people is rational and necessary.
The American people will constantly be reminded of the horror of that day, 9/11, and of their tremendous fear that they were going to be attacked again.
Bring back that fear again, and you have the American people accepting some coercive measures to extract information.

BUT, expose 9/11 as a complete fraud, which is is, and we will have the REAL anger of Americans, demanding the heads of Bush/Cheyney.

Stop wasting valuable time and money and effort on trying to convict Bush/Cheyney of allowing torture. It is much easier to prove 9/11 was an inside job and that it was covered up. There is actual proof that controlled demolition was used to bring down the WTC. Why are you, Steven, so unwilling to bring this truth to the American people? Did they get to you, also? Do the media venues ensure you do not mention 9/11 truth?
Or do you just not have the curiosity to even look into the facts of the most important story of all time?
Either you are being controlled not to look into 9/11, or you are a very poor journalist.
Which is it, Steve?

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» There is no "proof", Duckbill. Posted by: thekidde
George W. Bush Thinks the Bush-Era Torture Should Be Investigated
Posted by: LTBROWN on Apr 28, 2009 4:33 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
SO DO I

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» Wasted Time and effort. Posted by: pfgetty
» What a deafeatist attitude. Posted by: GerryAttric
Bless you Purple Girl
Posted by: Magginkat on Apr 28, 2009 6:15 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
"Revenge is a dish Best Served Cold" W, Decide to Turn States Evidence.

IF ONLY! Unfortunately I think Chicken George knows only too well that he would last about as long as a snowball in hell if he did that.

Think unfortunate plane crash, unexpected suicide, etc.

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THE AMERICAN PEOLE KNOW WHAT THEY WANT
Posted by: VZEQICVA on Apr 28, 2009 7:28 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
And George it's YOU and the rest of your regime. In jail. This is all your handiwork that we're trying to undo. Stop trying to sound so sanctimonius about the 'truth'. It's not your strong point, never was. Are we making you nervous, I hope so. And stop pretending to care. You don't and you never did. Go back to where ever it is you hide out. ANNA

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strange to hear...
Posted by: JoshuaLudd on Apr 28, 2009 7:48 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
... coming from the same jackass who didn't even want the 911 commision to happen.

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» RE: strange to hear... Posted by: Xynyx
» RE: strange to hear... Posted by: JSquercia
The Prosecution of George W. Bush for Murder
Posted by: Laplace on Apr 28, 2009 8:41 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Why has no one taken up Bugliosi's challenge? The facts seem to be incontrovertible. Read the book, if you haven't already.
The Prosecution of George W. Bush for Murder

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Ol'e Incurious George Just forgot one detail
Posted by: Ian MacLeod on Apr 28, 2009 5:44 PM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
He just forgot to tell them that any investigation would turn up what they were told to and only peons would take the blame as long as there were still Multinational corporations and their moles creeping around inside the corpse of Republican government. I'm sure it never occurred to him in his worst nightmares that someone might take him literally, or even seriously.

Ian

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