By PETE YOST, Associated Press WriterThu Aug 10, 9:22 PM ET Bush administration drafted amendments to the War Crimes Act that would retroactively protect policymakers from possible criminal charges for authorizing any humiliating and degrading treatment of detainees, according to lawyers who have seen the proposal. The move by the administration is the latest effort to deal with treatment of those taken into custody in the war on terror.
Pete's Points
It is amazing to me how these stories seem to leak out. If this is true then . . .
As the neo-conservatives head for potential oblivion at the end of the longer than expected term in office, they are trying to make sure that they cannot be prosecuted for any activities that could be ascribed to them in some future litigation.
I have to say that on the one hand I have some sympathy for the view that when you are in a fight with terrorists who have no compunction about killing, maiming and terrorising people, playing by rules can be considered just a little silly.
On the other hand I also have a lot of sympathy for the view that suspending due process for whatever reason is just simply too dangerous.
Personally I will always opt for rules that govern civilized behaviour. Even if that means that we can be taken advantage of by people who have no such scruples. I would rather give people their rights and freedoms than take the risk of labelling people and committing atrocities in the name of such freedom.
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