It's not "Torture without excuses", it's torture without justice
The Chicago Tribune's chief political pundit Steve Chapman is to be commended for his important and stark recital of the Bush-Cheney torture regime in his April 21 column, "Torture without excuses".
But he is also to be condemned for two astounding conclusions which go to the core of Chapman and the Trib Editorial Board's unwillingness to take the next step in the process and demand that President Bush and Vice President Cheney be brought to justice.
First, after reciting the likely torture death of a 52 year old Iraqi who died in US custody from blunt force injuries to torso and legs, abrasions indicating being shackled, a fractured neck bone, and death...due to strangulation, Chapman claims "its too much to hope for justice in this case...because the homicide came at the hands of the administration of George W. Bush". Since when is a former President immune from prosecution for launching a criminal war and practicing torture during its execution? Apparently, its when that criminal war and torture were enabled and condoned by the mainstream media, including the Trib, which supported the re-election of President Bush long after his criminality was apparent to anyone who investigated the Iraq war with an open mind, free from a self serving agenda.
Second, Chapman concludes his piece with the ludicrous claim that the Bush-Cheney decision to ignore international law and treaties prohibiting torture honored by every other presidential administration will result in their "lasting disgrace". Considering that both have bragged about their use of torture and said they'd do it again if necessary because it gets results, neither feels the least bit of disgrace and couldn't care less with their critics think. Bush and Cheney will live out their lives cushioned by fabulous wealth and supportive family and friends. The only worry they might have is if current government leaders, the citizenry, and the Fourth Estate, exemplified by the Trib Editorial Board, demand justice.
How 'bout a follow up column Mr. Chapman?
But he is also to be condemned for two astounding conclusions which go to the core of Chapman and the Trib Editorial Board's unwillingness to take the next step in the process and demand that President Bush and Vice President Cheney be brought to justice.
First, after reciting the likely torture death of a 52 year old Iraqi who died in US custody from blunt force injuries to torso and legs, abrasions indicating being shackled, a fractured neck bone, and death...due to strangulation, Chapman claims "its too much to hope for justice in this case...because the homicide came at the hands of the administration of George W. Bush". Since when is a former President immune from prosecution for launching a criminal war and practicing torture during its execution? Apparently, its when that criminal war and torture were enabled and condoned by the mainstream media, including the Trib, which supported the re-election of President Bush long after his criminality was apparent to anyone who investigated the Iraq war with an open mind, free from a self serving agenda.
Second, Chapman concludes his piece with the ludicrous claim that the Bush-Cheney decision to ignore international law and treaties prohibiting torture honored by every other presidential administration will result in their "lasting disgrace". Considering that both have bragged about their use of torture and said they'd do it again if necessary because it gets results, neither feels the least bit of disgrace and couldn't care less with their critics think. Bush and Cheney will live out their lives cushioned by fabulous wealth and supportive family and friends. The only worry they might have is if current government leaders, the citizenry, and the Fourth Estate, exemplified by the Trib Editorial Board, demand justice.
How 'bout a follow up column Mr. Chapman?
posted by Walt Zlotow at 6:34 AM
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