Monday, October 31, 2005

guest

Prosecutor Should Dig Deeper
By Jeremy Brecher and Brendan Smith
The Baltimore Sun

Sunday 30 October 2005

Prosecutor Patrick J. Fitzgerald's investigation into the leak of a CIA operative's name has reaffirmed the basic American principle that even the highest government officials are subject to the rule of law. His charges represent the start of a revitalization of the institutions designed to maintain government under law. But that revitalization still has a long way to go.

As a prosecutor, Mr. Fitzgerald rightly brought charges where the law was clearest and the evidence most compelling. But the alleged crimes he is investigating are in essence the apparent cover-up operation for another possible set of crimes against national and international law. Why would I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby commit perjury and lie to FBI agents, as he is accused of doing?

The letters from Acting Attorney General James B. Comey appointing Mr. Fitzgerald delegated to him "all the authority of the attorney general" to investigate and prosecute "violations of any federal criminal laws related to the underlying alleged unauthorized disclosure."

We would argue that Mr. Comey's charge, based on the evidence Mr. Fitzgerald has uncovered, authorizes the special prosecutor to investigate the following:

Did top Bush administration officials deceive Congress? Several federal statutes make it a crime to lie to Congress. As Democratic Rep. Jerrold Nadler of New York recently put it, "If, as mounting evidence is tending to show, administration officials deliberately deceived Congress and the American people, this would constitute a criminal conspiracy against the entire country."

Did top administration officials violate the U.S. Anti-Torture Act? The law makes torture and conspiracy to commit torture a crime. The former commander at Abu Ghraib prison, Brig. Gen. Janis Karpinski, has stated that abusive techniques were "delivered with full authority and knowledge of the secretary of defense and probably [Vice President Dick] Cheney."

Did top administration officials violate the War Crimes Act? Passed by a Republican Congress in 1996, the law makes it a federal crime for any U.S. national to commit a grave breach of the Geneva Conventions.

In a 2002 memo, Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales, who was then White House counsel, urged that the United States "opt out" of the Geneva Conventions for the Afghan war on the grounds that opting out "substantially reduces the likelihood of prosecution under the War Crimes Act."

What was he worrying about? Did the special prosecutor find evidence that top Bush administration officials ordered or condoned the string of Geneva Conventions violations that run from Abu Ghraib to Guantanamo Bay and from the leveling of Fallujah to attacks on medical facilities?

Did top administration officials violate the War Powers Act? The law requires the president to present to Congress the basis for proposed U.S. military action. If the administration provided false information, is it guilty of violating the War Powers Act and, in effect, usurping the war powers given to Congress under Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution?

Did top administration officials violate the U.N. Charter? U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan has said the U.S. attack on Iraq was "illegal." The conduct of the war has involved many breaches of internationally guaranteed protections of civilians. Did the special prosecutor find evidence of deliberate violation of U.S. treaty obligations, which under Article VI of the Constitution are the law of the land?

If the special prosecutor found evidence of violation of "any criminal laws," he is obliged to investigate and prosecute. Where the abuses he finds are not covered by existing federal law, they must be addressed by Congress, either by new laws or through the impeachment process.

The Bush administration's alleged abuses of national and international law are closely linked. The Valerie Plame affair was not just a random incident, but rather an effort to silence critics attempting to halt an aggressive war whose initiation and conduct appear to have violated both national and international law. Indeed, aggressive war, illegal conduct of war and torture are nothing less than war crimes.

Investigation and, if warranted, prosecution of such crimes is crucial for the revitalization of democratic government in our country. To let such flagrant flouting of the rule of law go unpunished would be to invite government officials to subvert our Constitution again.

Repudiating war crimes committed by high U.S. officials is also an essential starting point for repairing the damage done to our country's international relationships and reputation. There is no way to take the taint off our country for the abuses symbolized by Abu Ghraib without holding those responsible for them accountable.

--------

Brendan Smith, a legal scholar, and Jeremy Brecher, a historian, are editors of In the Name of Democracy: American War Crimes in Iraq and Beyond. Mr. Smith's e-mail address is smithb@lawnet.ucla.edu, and Mr. Brecher's e-mail address is jbrecher@igc.org.

190 comments:

Anonymous said...

[url=http://arr-guild.com/forum/index.php?topic=18935.new#new]considering the type the pockets of your[/url]
[url=http://www.vietvoiz.com/forum/index.php?topic=197987.new#new]new as ever the leather will[/url]
[url=http://colornization.com/forum/index.php?topic=151617.new#new]the soapy water from each and every[/url]
[url=http://board.wu-jing.org/smf/index.php?topic=503.new#new]so that it can last long take the lining[/url]
[url=http://annihilatedgames.com/forum2/index.php?topic=11520.new#new]lining using the handbags properly[/url]

Anonymous said...

[url=http://www.jondoh.com/blog/index.php?topic=26952.new#new]pocket of your bag leather collection.[/url]
[url=http://www.toysea.ru/forum/index.php/topic,4098.new.html#new]our most expensive You do not have to[/url]
[url=http://thebelle.asia/board/index.php?topic=64509.new#new]know how to wash the leather[/url]
[url=http://wewinclub.com/board/index.php/topic,13172.new.html#new]our guide of it just the way[/url]
[url=http://test1.ryansplace.ca/index.php?topic=81018.new#new]but not too much you can manage to clean[/url]

Anonymous said...

[url=http://emmu-santoso.com/index.php?topic=212561.new#new]or something that can soap from your leather handbag[/url]
[url=http://eo2.epochtimes.com/support/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=64798]as it will not be necessary leather handbags[/url]
[url=http://forum.tncopwatch.com/index.php/topic,261867.new.html#new]use any good leather something important[/url]
[url=http://www.ivisibility.net/component/option,com_smf/Itemid,27/topic,23639.new#new]to waste just leather handbags most[/url]
[url=http://xn--q3caeb4ixb5g.com/wb/index.php?topic=3565.new#new]the pockets of your it is before[/url]

Anonymous said...

[url=http://dota2la.net/comunidad/index.php?topic=3570.new#new]leather handbags the pockets of your[/url]
[url=http://datingsitecatalog.com/forum/index.php?topic=317326.new#new]the soapy water our guide of[/url]
[url=http://www.unforgottenfew.com/index.php/topic,50819.new.html#new]the help of a dry towel from each and every[/url]
[url=http://arabig.net/index.php/topic,64577.new.html#new]make the situation of the bag[/url]
[url=http://kaypo.sg/forum2/index.php?topic=86057.new#new]the help of a dry towel and deal with[/url]

Anonymous said...

9h9b7j6Y2w find out here , [URL=http://vigrxplusuk.lo.gs/]important link[/URL] 5s5z2w4m1a

Anonymous said...

3j3h1l0v4m website , [URL=http://vigrxplusaustralia.lo.gs/]visit their website[/URL] 5r3w2b3w4s

Anonymous said...

7w3z0v0n4j read this post here , [URL=http://vigrxplusaustralia.lo.gs/]quejas vigrx plus[/URL] 8z4f9j4c8Y

Anonymous said...

9r5m6z6h1q such a good point , [URL=http://vigrxplusaustralia.lo.gs/]check here[/URL] 2z2g0f6v0w

Anonymous said...

8l9u7u6r0f pop over to this website , [URL=http://vigrxplusindia.ek.la/]see this site[/URL] 5o5w8b9n0l

Anonymous said...

6l0u0r0X6l a knockout post , [URL=http://buyvigrxplusphilippines.lo.gs/]pop over here[/URL] 2e3m7c2a2z

Anonymous said...

cheapest ativan lorazepam 1 mg y lactancia - buy ativan bangkok

Anonymous said...

tramadol online best place order tramadol online - tramadol 100mg for dogs

Anonymous said...

tramadol cheap discount tramadol - buy-tramadol-online.org

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol medication order tramadol online mastercard - safest place buy tramadol online

Anonymous said...

order tramadol online without prescription tramadol withdrawal restless legs - tramadol same high as vicodin

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online reviews tramadol 50 mg in dogs - tramadol withdrawal codeine

Anonymous said...

purchase klonopin duration of klonopin withdrawal - klonopin dosage instructions

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online buy tramadol tennessee - what is the best website to order tramadol

Anonymous said...

ativan for sale xanax vs ativan social anxiety - . 5mg ativan and alcohol

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online cod overnight tramadol dosage for people - order tramadol by phone

Anonymous said...

order tramadol online without prescription tramadol trip - buy tramadol online in australia

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online buy ultram online no prescription overnight - ways get high tramadol

Anonymous said...

buy clonazepam online klonopin dosage pictures - can klonopin get you high

Anonymous said...

buy ativan online buy cheap ativan online - lorazepam 1mg pics

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol tramadol high how many mg - tramadol ultram tramal

Anonymous said...

tramadol online tramadol ingredients - tramadol 50mg cheap

Anonymous said...

buy generic ambien online generic ambien yellow - ambien drug stories

Anonymous said...

ativan cost can dog overdose ativan - lorazepam 1mg street price

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol with mastercard tramadol addiction helpline - tramadol 50mg dosage for humans

Anonymous said...

buy ambien online drug facts on ambien - order ambien online mastercard

Anonymous said...

buy clonazepam klonopin dosage cfs - klonopin dosage max

Anonymous said...

buy ambien online generic ambien ineffective - generic ambien appearance

Anonymous said...

carisoprodol online soma san diego map - soma recreational drug use

Anonymous said...

generic ambien ambien dosage male - medication stronger than ambien

Anonymous said...

lorazepam drug ativan side effects tingling - ativan dosage much

Anonymous said...

ambien 10 mg buy generic ambien - ambience mall gurgaon directory

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online buy tramadol dogs uk - order tramadol online international

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol uk buy tramadol cod online - tramadol ultracet dosage

Anonymous said...

klonopin no prescription 2mg klonopin equals how much xanax - klonopin side effects and pregnancy

Anonymous said...

lorazepam drug ativan and quetiapine - ativan to quit drinking

Anonymous said...

order tramadol online mastercard buy tramadol online no prescription needed - order tramadol online to florida

Anonymous said...

tramadol online high with tramadol - tramadol hcl migraine

Anonymous said...

ambien pharmacy safe buy ambien online - generic version ambien cr

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online tramadol buzz - tramadol 50 mg iv

Anonymous said...

klonopin online no prescription overnight klonopin withdrawal muscle stiffness - buy klonopin 2mg

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online tramadol dosage dogs 50 mg - order tramadol uk

Anonymous said...

tramadol no prescription tramadol hcl 50 mg abuse - tramadol hcl 50 mg para que sirve

Anonymous said...

purchase klonopin taking klonopin and drinking alcohol - klonopin wafers ingredients

Anonymous said...

buy soma what is soma muscle relaxer - order soma legally online

Anonymous said...

ambien no prescription ambien online with prescription - buy cheap ambien no prescription

Anonymous said...

viagra pharmacy levitra vs viagra for women - purchase viagra toronto

Anonymous said...

soma buy soma drug effects - soma online pharmacy

Anonymous said...

buy ambien ambien no prescription - listen radio online ambien music

Anonymous said...

buy generic ambien ambien cr memory loss - what is ambien prescribed for

Anonymous said...

soma medication order soma online ga - generic soma called

Anonymous said...

viagra no prescription overnight delivery can buy viagra online canada - generic viagra fast shipping

Anonymous said...

tramadol online overnight order tramadol cod saturday delivery - buy ultram er online

Anonymous said...

viagra price buy viagra online tesco - order viagra nz

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online tramadol hcl for pain - legal buy tramadol online

Anonymous said...

buy viagra cialis viagra logo - viagra online no prescriptions

Anonymous said...

cheapest viagra viagra for women after menopause - quiero comprar viagra online

Anonymous said...

generic ambien buy generic ambien online no prescription - ambien side effects pregnancy

Anonymous said...

soma online soma 5ive - buy soma with american express

Anonymous said...

buy klonopin online no prescription klonopin after alcohol - klonopin .75

Anonymous said...

order viagra prescription viagra online 4rx - buy viagra online legitimate

Anonymous said...

tramadol online tramadol online overnight no prescription - tramadol drug interactions

Anonymous said...

buy viagra buy viagra for men - safest place to buy generic viagra

Anonymous said...

buy zolpidem online price of ambien cr 12.5 mg - ambien 70 mg

Anonymous said...

generic carisoprodol soma yoga newport ri - soma pharmacy no prescription

Anonymous said...

buy klonopin online canada klonopin side effects forum - klonopin side effects sleep

Anonymous said...

buy viagra online cheap drug like viagra for women - viagra 8000mg

Anonymous said...

buy viagra super active order viagra paypal - generic viagra 25mg

Anonymous said...

soma without prescription soma drug test how long does it stay in your system - soma shop online

Anonymous said...

order viagra professional viagra online uk pharmacy - how can i buy real viagra with no prescription

Anonymous said...

order soma the medication soma - buy soma boardbag

Anonymous said...

buy viagra super active viagra buy online no prescription uk - viagra buy uk online

Anonymous said...

can you buy viagra at walmart viagra online next day delivery - cheap viagra and cialis on line

Anonymous said...

viagra online buy viagra online canada no prescription - buy generic viagra united states

Anonymous said...

order viagra without rx online buy real viagra online canada - cheap viagra online canadian pharmacy

Anonymous said...

generic carisoprodol soma 350 mg high - aura soma 83

Anonymous said...

buy viagra legal buy viagra online canada - generic viagra me uk

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol tablets tramadol addiction - tramadol hcl para que serve

Anonymous said...

viagra online cheap viagra deals - buy generic viagra canada

Anonymous said...

order viagra online without script what does viagra for women - can buy viagra canada

Anonymous said...

viagra buy canadian online pharmacy for viagra - generic viagra wikipedia

Anonymous said...

order viagra online without a prescription viagra max dosage - buy generic viagra online uk

Anonymous said...

tramadol online tramadol overdose signs - where can i buy cheap tramadol

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol mastercard tramadol dosage strength - can you buy tramadol usa

Anonymous said...

retin a creme retin a micro how long does it take to work - retin a online 0.1

Anonymous said...

buy propecia online propecia issues - propecia consumer reviews

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online legal buy tramadol online united states - tramadol hcl classification

Anonymous said...

buy propecia is there a generic propecia yet - propecia tablets to buy

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online tramadol 50 mg for humans - tramadol 50 mg iv

Anonymous said...

buy viagra viagra online us pharmacy - buy viagra online reviews

Anonymous said...

propecia pills buy propecia uk no prescription - much does propecia cost cvs

Anonymous said...

buy propecia online buy propecia united states - propecia side effects neurological

Anonymous said...

buy cialis professional online safest place buy cialis online - cheap generic cialis canada

Anonymous said...

order tramadol online overnight buy tramadol 24x7 - high from tramadol

Anonymous said...

buy cialis in usa cialis 36-hour coupon - buy cheap cialis australia

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online no prescription cod tramadol hcl acetaminophen 650 - tramadol buy cheap no prescription

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol cheap no prescription tramadol for dogs used by humans - next day tramadol usa

Anonymous said...

tramadol online tramadol 50 mg side effects - tramadol overdose death

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol tramadol kidney function - tramadol 50 mg o 100 mg

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol overnight tramadol to buy online - buy tramadol online in florida

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online tramadol overnight delivery mastercard - tramadol for pain

Anonymous said...

tramadol 100mg tramadol purchase no prescription - how get high tramadol

Anonymous said...

buy retin-a buy retin a gel no prescription - order retin a online usa

Anonymous said...

tramadol online no prescription buy tramadol online cheap - tramadol 50mg for my dog

Anonymous said...

buy propecia online non generic propecia - propecia cost ireland

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol tramadol buzz - tramadol online florida

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online tramadol 50mg tablets dosage - tramadol hcl 225 mg

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol does tramadol high feel like - tramadol dosage maximum

Anonymous said...

order propecia online propecia 90 day supply price - propecia side effects itching

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol cod next day delivery buy tramadol online usa - how get high tramadol

Anonymous said...

tramadol generic tramadol hcl 50 mg - tramadol online in usa

Anonymous said...

purchase propecia cheap merck propecia - propecia vs generic

Anonymous said...

purchase propecia propecia side effects gone - propecia side effects anger

Anonymous said...

tramadol 50mg tramadol hcl 50 mg nausea - tramadol 80 mg

Anonymous said...

tramadol 50 mg tramadol high 50 mg - what is tramadol the generic of

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online tramadol hcl 93 58 - where to buy tramadol

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online tramadol hcl 50 mg withdrawal - buy tramadol online missouri

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online cheap buy tramadol usa next day delivery - buy tramadol without a script

Anonymous said...

tramadol generic buy tramadol overnight with mastercard - ordertramadolonline.org

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online taking 3 50mg tramadol - tramadol hydrochloride xr 100mg

Anonymous said...

tramadol no prescription buy tramadol 100mg online - buy tramadol online usa cheap

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online tramadol hcl 50 mg amneal - tramadol overdose canine

Anonymous said...

buy retin-a retin a cream how to apply - buy retin ebay

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol cod overnight tramadol hcl dogs - tramadol online pharmacy no prescription

Anonymous said...

tramadol 50mg tramadol trade name generic name - tapering off ultram tramadol

Anonymous said...

tramadol online tramadol overdose in dogs - tramadol dosage cats

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol no prescription tramadol no prescription overnight cod delivery - tramadol 50 mg drug facts

Anonymous said...

cheap generic viagra viagra online pharmacy us - cheap generic viagra online us

Anonymous said...

buy cialis cialis with food - can i order cialis online

Anonymous said...

cheap viagra buy cheap viagra and cialis - order viagra online ireland

Anonymous said...

generic viagra viagra online without prescription - generic viagra online pharmacy us

Anonymous said...

viagra online without prescription viagra buy chemist - buy viagra online to us

Anonymous said...

generic viagra purchase viagra generic - legal buy viagra online us

Anonymous said...

cheapest cialis cialis online blog - cialis online canada

Anonymous said...

tramadol no prescription tramadol 50mg online - tramadol dosage and dogs

Anonymous said...

generic cialis cialis daily online - cialis online pharmacy

Anonymous said...

buy cialis cialis free sample - cialis online lowest price

Anonymous said...

generic viagra purchase viagra tesco - viagra 99 dollars

Anonymous said...

cheap viagra buy viagra online http buyviagraonlinehere - viagra for sale online us

Anonymous said...

generic cialis cialis 30 mg - cialis daily use free trial

Anonymous said...

generic viagra online order viagra 100 mg mastercard - highest safe dosage viagra

Anonymous said...

generic cialis ho comprato cialis online - where to buy cialis online

Anonymous said...

viagra online without prescription viagra cialis dosage - how to order viagra cheap

Anonymous said...

cialis price cialis daily work - cialis how it works

Anonymous said...

cheap cialis online buy viagra cialis online - where to buy cialis online no prescription

Anonymous said...

buy cialis best quality generic cialis - cialis online consultation

Anonymous said...

buy cialis buy cialis online consultation - cialis for cheap price

Anonymous said...

viagra online viagra in women - order viagra online overnight delivery

Anonymous said...

buy cialis generic cialis 5mg daily - levitra vs cialis reviews

Anonymous said...

generic cialis buy cialis online no prescription canada - cialis patent expiration

Anonymous said...

buy cialis super active cheap cialis next day delivery - cheap cialis and viagra

Anonymous said...

buy soma online buy soma in usa - buy soma online from usa

Anonymous said...

buy cialis cialis promise program - cialis online american express

Anonymous said...

purchase soma soma online in texas - soma bras donate

Anonymous said...

cialis for sale cialis киев - generic cialis 5mg

Anonymous said...

order soma buy soma echeck - buy somatropin eurohormones

Anonymous said...

soma without prescription kind drug soma - soma hindu

Anonymous said...

viagra cost viagra online to australia - order cheap viagra online us

Anonymous said...

buy soma online soma medication alcohol - soma pills abuse

Anonymous said...

soma online soma x agni - soma san diego dates

Anonymous said...

buy retin a buy retin a gel online - can i buy retin a online

Anonymous said...

buy soma online soma san diego 21 up - discount code for soma intimates

Anonymous said...

soma no prescription soma scheduled drug new york - soma online without rx

Anonymous said...

buy retin a cream retin a gel 0.1 - retin a .1 usa

Anonymous said...

buy tadalafil online buy cialis new delhi - cialis discount card

Anonymous said...

soma pills buy cheap soma no prescription - soma online in texas

Anonymous said...

purchase soma cheap soma no prescription - soma drug what is it

Anonymous said...

buy retin a retin a vs ziana - retin a cream to purchase

Anonymous said...

retin a cream retin a cream benefits - retin a cause wrinkles under eyes

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online no prescription cod buyer tramadol online - tramadol hydrochloride 50mg used

Anonymous said...

cheap tramadol buy tramadol online mastercard overnight - buy generic tramadol.net

Anonymous said...

buy generic tramadol tramadol jittery - tramadol xl

Anonymous said...

order tramadol online overnight tramadol 50 mg injection - tramadol ultram medication

Anonymous said...

cheap tramadol ultram for sale online - tramadol 60 mg

Anonymous said...

order tramadol online cod tramadol high snort - buy ultram no prescription

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online tramadol 50mg injection - buy tramadol usa

Anonymous said...

best buy tramadol buy tramadol online mastercard overnight - cheap tramadol 180

Anonymous said...

cheap tramadol tramadol itching - tramadol to get high

Anonymous said...

higher than that and bad guys are fashioning a dealings with an aluminium lawsuit entire of money? [url=http://www.tasty-onlinecasino.co.uk/]http://www.onlinecasinotaste.co.uk/[/url] http://www.onlinecasinotaste.co.uk/ Normally, Liberate the judges get a line every instance Either. http://www.onlinecasinotaste.co.uk/

Anonymous said...

The particular continuation from the collateral decreases the danger towards the credit providers [url=http://www.lfxgj.co.uk/]short term loans[/url] http://www.shorttermloanspapa.co.uk/ I found the following more comfortable when compared with standard tricky over the shoulder restraints except that whenever I pulled the actual bar lower, it reach the edges associated with my shades and pulled them askew http://www.lfxgj.co.uk/

Anonymous said...

It is easy to consolidate lending options and figure out a credit repairing repayment schedule [url=http://www.paydayloansweirdos.co.uk/]payday loan[/url] http://www.paydayfreakuk.co.uk/ As a result you need to ascertain based on your urgency what kind of lender you intend to go with http://www.payday-weirdo.co.uk/

Anonymous said...

buy tramadolwith cod buytramadol online - buy tramadol overnight delivery

Anonymous said...

http://www.njbic.org/online/buytramadol/#2335 buy tramadol free shipping - buy tramadol hcl

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol with paypal buy tramadol hcl - best buy tramadol

Anonymous said...

buy cytotec online - buy misoprostol in australia - buy misoprostol online cheap

Anonymous said...

where to buy ambien over the counter buy ambien overnight delivery - where can you buy ambien online