Posted on 05/28/2008 12:46:08 PM PDT by mojito
John Bolton, the former US ambassador to the United Nations, has escaped an attempted citizen's arrest as he appeared at the Hay Festival.
The former ambassador - a key advisor to President George W Bush who argued strongly in favour of invading Iraq - had been giving a talk on international relations to more than 600 people at the literary festival.
Mr Monbiot was blocked by two heavily-built security guards at the end of the one-and-a-half hour appearance, before he could serve a "charge sheet" on him.
After being released by the guards the columnist - a fierce critic of the 2003 American-led invasion - made a dash through the rain-soaked tented village in a failed attempt to catch up with Mr Bolton.
A crowd of about 20 protestors, one dressed in a latex George Bush mask, chanted "war criminal" as Mr Bolton was ushered away.
Mr Monbiot said moments later he was "disappointed" that he had been blocked from making the citizen's arrest.
"This was a serious attempt to bring one of the perpetrators of the Iraq war to justice, for what is described under the Nuremberg Principles as an international crime," he said.
During Mr Bolton's talk, to a packed-out audience, Mr Monbiot had asked Mr Bolton what difference there was between him and a Nazi war criminal.
Mr Bolton said the war was legal, partly because Iraq had failed to comply with a key and binding UN resolution after the end of the Gulf War in 1991.
On the war's legality, he added: "This is not my personal opinion, this is the opinion of the entire legal apparatus of the US government."
A citizen's arrest can be carried out under certain circumstances by a member of the public, if they believe a person had carried out a crime, under the Serious and Organised Crime and Police Act 2005.
Earlier, festival director Peter Florence had said they had sought legal advice and been told carrying out such an arrest would be "completely unlawful" given the circumstances.
He said: ""The Hay Festival encourages visitors to voice their opinions, but also requires that, in their expression, they respect both the law and the speaker."
A spokesman for The Guardian, for which Mr Monbiot writes a regular column, said he was acting in a "personal capacity".
Spiritual heirs to Axis Sally/Mildred Gillars and Lord Haw Haw/William Joyce.
John McCain has been kicking sand in W's eyes and throwing chinese stars into his back for the last seven years. That's the reason I will never, under any circumstances, vote for the SOB.
It has nothing to do with this "perfect candidate" fallacy the McCainiacs cling to. It has everything to do with McCain being a loathsome media tool who's done as much to destroy conservatism as any marxist ever could.
“squirting some really foul smelling liquid”
Here’s the perfect stuff. Used it for practical jokes more than once.
http://www.harmondeerscents.com/products.aspx?cat=30
There is no one who respects McCain's service, sacrifice more than me and am horrified to realize the trauma he endured as a POW.
That being said, that does not in and of itself qualify him to be the next POTUS.
His recent policies and comrades are anything but good for the future of this Nation. If I have to list them for you than you should go to your room and do some research.
I am thoroughly disgusted that our selection this time around is a Marxist, a Socialist or a Rat with an R by his name who happens to be a tortured POW
John McCain has publicly disagreed with President Bush...how you can call that kicking sand and throwing stars says more about you than two mature political adults, who have shown grace and civility towards each other for the sake of the Nation.
Anyone who thinks a McCain presidency will somehow thwart leftist plans to destroy America from within is delusional and/or forgetting McCain’s liberal leanings, fueled by his ego that seems to need constant media approval.
&&&
Well said! Thank you, thank you for answering the crowd that keeps trying to claim we, the people, will be responsible when it’s the GOP who insists we have to vote for a liberal because it’s “his turn”.
Grab your own ankles and see how good it feels!
Shooting off a tawdry remark like that shows what you are - and respectful ain’t it.
You’re right, I should have said he’d be on his knees
“Citizen’s Arrest,” is that what we call kidnapping now?
That’s how they say “moonbat” over there.
Thank You- Nor am I voting for McCain!! Now we will face “R” voters together my conservative friend. I think in his case it stands for Regardless. Vote for this guy Regardless of his clearly leftist actions. Regardless of his Amnesty, Regardless of his shameless betrayal of conservatives. Regardless of his most liberal state. Regardless for a lot of other reasons.
Oh, I thought it was French for moonbat.
“Your fellow Freepers look at this nonsense with resounding approval and will not deign seperating themselves from their self rightous principles to prevent an Obama election.”
Careful about making those sweeping statements, bert. I will show up in Nov to vote against whomever the dims bring, but it doesn’t mean I’m not going to piss and moan about my lack of choices in the mean time...the only thing that would stop me would be if mccain asks hillary to be his vp.
If you don’t want to listen to the pissing and moaning about “self righteous principles” then don’t come around...your choice
That day would be the day the Second Amendment comes to life. I wonder how many defiant freepers would heed their nation's call...
Damn some folks just need a good old fashioned butt kick’n
Thanks
I freely admit that my vote is more anti-Obama, than pro-McCain. I cannot in good conscience let my vote, or non-vote be part of letting Obama become commander in chief and a rubber stamp on a fully-socialist congress.
Our forces have fought too hard and won too much to flush it all down the drain now. We’re turning the corner in Iraq, finally. Obama will crush any victory and deliver defeat. Al queda will revel in their victory because that’s exactly what it will be. They’ll attack, again and again, because they know they can steer Obama to do whatever they want.
Sorry. I’ve got some issues with McCain, but he’s the nominee. The most important thing is that he knows when to pull the trigger and he’ll do it when it needs doing. Obama never will. Obama brings more death and more war than we can currently imagine.
What the heck is a "Hay Festival?"
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.