Some Call for Bush Administration Trials

Boston Globe ^ | February 3, 2009 | Joseph Williams

[nickcarraway]

Like others bundled against the cold on Inauguration Day, a few dozen people along the Pennsylvania Avenue parade route were determined to catch a glimpse of President Obama. But they wanted him to see their simple, unmistakable message spelled out on black-and-white signs, adding a call-and-response chant for emphasis.

"Who's our president?" one shouted.

"Obama!" the group answered.

"Who's going to arrest Bush?"

"Obama!"

Though the new president probably didn't notice them, the protesters holding the "ARREST BUSH" placards illustrated a thorny problem he will have to confront, perhaps sooner rather than later.

While most viewed Obama's inauguration as a fresh start for the country, many on the political left - among some of Obama's most ardent supporters - want to hold George W. Bush accountable for what they believe were illegal activities in office, including misleading Congress on the Iraq war, spying on Americans, and permitting coercive interrogations that critics consider to have been torture.

While Obama has tried to discourage talk of such a politically explosive investigation, the issue surfaced during the confirmation hearings for Eric Holder, the president's choice for attorney general.

Though the full Senate confirmed Holder last night on a 75-to-21 vote, the debate had a partisan edge. Senator Patrick Leahy, a Vermont Democrat, scolded a small group of Republicans - Texas Republican John Cornyn, in particular - who threatened to block the nomination unless Holder promised he would not prosecute intelligence agents who participated in harsh interrogations.

Leahy, chairman of the Judiciary Committee, said Cornyn wanted Holder to "turn a blind eye to possible lawbreaking" before knowing whether it had actually occurred. "No one should be seeking to trade a vote for such a pledge," Leahy said.

[EQAndyBuzz]

HERE COMES THE TRIAL OF EMMANUEL GOLDSTEIN....

Thank you Orwell for predicting the future for us.

[3niner]

These idiots keep screaming arrest arrest but never say on what grounds.

That's easy, on the grounds that they don't like him. There's a sizable group of idiots, in this country, that thinks anything they disapprove of, is illegal.

[tcrlaf]

“There’s a sizable group of idiots, in this country, that thinks anything they disapprove of, is illegal.”

And they are now in charge of everything.....

[SuziQ]

Obama won't even THINK about going after George W. Bush about the War on Terror, because to do so would mean that Democrats would have to answer for THEIR on the record comments regarding Iraq and Afghanistan.

Actually, it might be REAL instructive to see Democrats subpoenaed to testify in any trial concerning that issue.

[afortiori]

How should I put it?

BRING IT ON!

[calex59]

On the other hand, more people DO NOT call for Bush trials. Period. No crimes were committed, no crimes can be prosecuted. This is simple communist tactics trying to bring this country to a point where the only people who can speak and act are those that swing to the left. No way Jose, we simply won’t let it happen. If the American people let these Pri*** bring Bush up on charges then there will be hell to pay!

[JimRed]

SOME CALL FOR PRESIDENT OBAMA’S ORIGINAL BIRTH CERTIFICATE

Some can call for anything they want...

[Verginius Rufus]

The presumption may be that there will never be another Republican President, so the Democrats would never have to fear a reprisal.

They pretty much have a lock on the states Kerry carried (251 electoral votes--minus a few because of reapportionment after the 2010 census) and several of the states Bush carried but McCain lost will be very hard for the Republicans to regain, especially as millions of illegal aliens are given amnesty and the vote.

I don't know if Obama has decided what to do about this--if Eric Holder gave any verbal assurances, they're worthless.

[driftless2]

"mmonbats"

These nuts have screaming about lost rights since the passage of the Patriot Act, but like Victor Davis Hanson has demanded of these wackos, name one innocent American who has been thrown in jail or had their rights violated please. Because they can't. They can shriek all day long about "shredding the constitution", but the fact is the last seven years they've been safe typing hate messages in their basements thanks to Bush.

[freedumb2003]

but the fact is the last seven years they've been safe typing hate messages in their basements thanks to Bush.

Only one bullseye award a day :)

[an amused spectator]

Obama should be forced into it. Call their bluff. I’d rather have a trial than insinuation and lies.

Arrests would have dangerous repercussions.

[nickcarraway]

Such as?

[an amused spectator]

Well, what with the unprosecuted Democrat tax-evaders, and other unequal applications of "the law", many might begin to think that "the law" was in the mouths of the rulers.

If they can arrest Bush and others in his administration, they can arrest ANYBODY. With the evidence in front of your eyes, those are pretty powerful talking points.

Plus, considering what's going on with the economy, you want all "the rule of law" that you can get, I'd say.