Paul Revere by Cyrus Dallin, North End, Boston

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Saturday, November 29, 2008

W. KRISTOL SUGGESTS BUSH GIVE THE MEDAL OF FREEDOM TO TORTURERS

I've always suspected that Kristol was a bit "funny" in the head. This confirms it. Kristol has been absolutely, completely, embarrassingly wrong on everything. And he's paid by the New York Times to write?

After urging Bush to fight the incoming administration’s desire to close Guantanamo, Kristol concludes with this:


One last thing: Bush should consider pardoning–and should at least be vociferously praising–everyone who served in good faith in the war on terror, but whose deeds may now be susceptible to demagogic or politically inspired prosecution by some seeking to score political points. The lawyers can work out if such general or specific preemptive pardons are possible; it may be that the best Bush can or should do is to warn publicly against any such harassment or prosecution. But the idea is this: The CIA agents who waterboarded Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, and the NSA officials who listened in on phone calls from Pakistan, should not have to worry about legal bills or public defamation. In fact, Bush might want to give some of these public servants the Medal of Freedom at the same time he bestows the honor on Generals Petraeus and Odierno. They deserve it.


Source

14 comments:

Ruth said...

Mental illness is a kind interpetation of making a living off of exploiting dishonorable and unconstitutional government that has an appeal to right wing readers. It's been almost funny to watch the whole press crew trying to bury its record of pandering to wingers under a pile of truckling to the new administration that got elected by people who obviously don't have any respect for their opinions.

dmarks said...

If the waterboard guy is pardoned, and goes off and waterboards Marc Rich.....

Anonymous said...

Well, since our AG designate stated that the detainees don't deserve Geneva Convention treatment, I guess he's the first who should be prosecuted.

dmarks said...

Gordon: Nah. Diferrent standards must apply to ObamaCo and BushCo.

Shaw Kenawe said...

"As president, I will close Guantanamo, reject the Military Commissions Act and adhere to the Geneva Conventions. Our Constitution and our Uniform Code of Military Justice provide a framework for dealing with the terrorists," Obama said in 2007.

Shaw Kenawe said...

dmarks and Gordon,

You may want to read what Ronald Reagan's favorite speech writer, Peggy Noonan, has to say about President-elect Obama's cabinet choices and his overall performance to date.

While both of you are whining over every move Obama makes and finding fault in his choices, a majority of Americans see him as a real agent of change, even big-time Republicans, like Peggy Noonan agree(see my new post).

Anonymous said...

Holder, like a lot of smart people, bought into the panic and overreaction spread by the Bush administration in 2002. Unlike them he acknowledged the fundamental flaws in that approach and, quite rightly, sought more equitable and effective policies. Unlike Addington, Yoo, Gonzalez, Cheney and Bush he hasn't committed warcrimes.

Big difference. The Neo-Cons never, never admit error.

Gordon Scott said...

Whining, Shaw? Hardly. We're rather bemused watching as all of the dreams of the netroots are shattered even before the inauguration.

If Obama wants to run a centrist administration ala WJBC, I'm happy about that. And as He discovers that actually doing something with the terrorists parked at Guantanamo is a little bit harder than just talking about it, I'll acknowledge that rueful shrug and wish Him well.

And as the weight of the responsibility for the safety and security of Americans here and abroad settles on His shoulders, I'll be there to support Him, and even defend Him from the likes of those who call the current president a "war criminal." They'll transfer their hatred and irrationality to Obama soon enough.

And when He screws up, I'll be there to point it out, too.

BB-Idaho said...

If Kristol wants to reward unrestrained interrogators, perhaps he is thinking of the Iron Cross?

Shaw Kenawe said...

Dreams of the netroots shattered?

Not mine.

I'm delerious with joy.

Obama hasn't disappointed me one iota.

I was pretty sure he'd do what he's done. I read Team of Rivals.

There are fringe elements to each party, and I've certainly heard whining from the extreme lefties over Obama's appointments. None from me, though.

And most of the blogs on the right seem to be populated with the fringe elements--they're still yelping about Obama's birth certificate.

Can you believe it?

Anonymous said...

Just finished Jane Mayer's 'The Dark Side' & am halfway through 'Angler: The Cheyne Vice Presidency'. Highly recommended for any who still cling to the disproved notion that the Pres & Vice are in any meaningful way honorable men.

Both should be at your local library Gordon. Get your name on the reserve list. Both are (deservedly) popular.

Shaw Kenawe said...

Thanks for the book tips, Arthurstone.

I'm still plodding through "Alexander Hamilton," a 1,000+ page history by Ron Chernow of THE greatest (IMHO) Founding Father.

That man was incredibly talented and brilliant! And certain elements on the fringe right would have been against him because he was born on Nevis in the Caribbean--even though America wasn't a country at the time of his birth.

Anonymous said...

Chernow is marvelous.

His bio of JD Rockefeller is fantastic.

Now there's a view of 'free-market' capitalism for you.

Shudder.

dmarks said...

Actually, I am generally pleased with President Elect's cabinet picks. The most grousing I did was over the possible choice of John Kerry as Secretary of State, which did not happen.