Bush's Torture Defense Won't Keep Him Out of Jail

[kpete]

Bush's Torture Defense Won't Keep Him Out of Jail
Submitted by Bob Fertik on May 29, 2009 - 2:56pm.

Yesterday George W. Bush spoke in Michigan and offered this defense for authorizing torture, according to CNN:

(Bush) described how he proceeded after the capture of terrorism suspect Khalid Sheikh Mohammed in March 2003.

"The first thing you do is ask what's legal?" Bush said. "What do the lawyers say is possible? I made the decision, within the law, to get information so I can say to myself, 'I've done what it takes to do my duty to protect the American people.' I can tell you that the information we got saved lives."

But there's one glaring problem with Bush's defense: he first authorized torture in January 2002 when he took Ibn al-Shaykh al-Libi away from the FBI and gave him to George Tenet's CIA to send to Egypt for torture.

http://www.democrats.com/bush-torture-defense-wont-keep-him-out-of-jail

[gratuitous]

1. Bush would have to proffer a defense

And that would mean an investigation, development of evidence, charges, indictments, and the whole legal schmear. And then he'd still have the right to remain silent. But it's all good; there are plenty of other forces on the planet besides the power of the United States legislative and judicial branches. None of you mind being punished for Bush's crimes in a blanket reprisal, do you?

[FiveGoodMen]

2. No, but the current admin is determined to keep him out of jail.