Kismet!?! Justice Souter Should Preside Over Our War Crimes Tribunal/Inquiry

[Senator]

Our unprecedented dilemma demands an unprecedented solution.

The torture and other crimes of the bushcheney years are only partially a "legal matter." There are the foreign relations to consider, the military aspects, perhaps judicial review, and even the actions of congressional leaders of both parties.

A combination Commission of Inquiry and Nuremberg-like Tribunal could actually be achieved.

A Supreme Court Justice may literally be the only one with enough gravitas and independence to confer legitimacy on the introspective process our once-great nation must force itself to endure.

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[Octafish]

1. Excellent idea you have there, Senator.

Appointed by the GOP, voted against the lynching of the Constitution.



Justice would prevail. Nice!

[Tangerine LaBamba]

2. He'd be perfect, wouldn't he?

Souter heading up a War Crimes inquiry?

But for the fact that he was appointed by Old Man Bush, which renders him unacceptable.

[thedeanpeople]

3. It's the appointment that's inoculative.

But his heading a three "judge" panel would almost certainly be required, maybe even five members. I quote the word judge because it wouldn't be necessary to appoint judges, or even lawyers for that matter. The issue would be who would the nation as a whole trust.

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[Tangerine LaBamba]

5. I think a panel of non-lawyers, or

maybe a panel with one lawyer, would be a whole lot more credible than a panel of lawyers. And I'm a lawyer.......................

[Senator]

6. Yes, that's it. n/t

[elleng]

4. Kismet!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFS-925u9ZY

[Senator]

10. Wow, that's a bit spooky.

Didn't expect "Baghdad!!"

Would that "Jeannie" could just blink us back to our pre-bush Constitutional democracy.

Thank for posting.

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[elleng]

11. Was one of my high school plays,

and have been humming the songs forever! And thinking of 'Baghdad!'

[AnnieBW]

7. Great idea!!!

I'd be all for that. Sandra Day O'Connor might be a good second choice, too.

[Senator]

9. O'Connor would do I suppose.

But I'm not sure what she'd be adding other than partisanship. I think the pro-torture crowd would prefer a James Baker or Richard Posner to be their token "defender."

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[pat_k]

8. kick!

[pat_k]

12. Possible panel members: Danforth, DeConcini. . .

. . .General Hugh Shelton

Just trying to think of prominent people who are "clean." And am finding it a tough tough task.
(Where oh where have all the statesmen gone?)

[Senator]

14. Yes, the "people who are clean" dilemma makes the point...

...that this is not something that can be neatly tidied up simply by making criminal/non-criminal determinations inside the bowels of the DOJ.

The calls for a Special Prosecutor are a step better, but does nothing to address the related aspects.

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[malaise]

13. That's a great idea

K & R