Clarke calls U.S. treatment of Iraqi prisoners "war crime"

[Kadie]

Clarke calls U.S. treatment of Iraqi prisoners "war crime"

By BILEN MESFIN, Associated Press Writer


Last Updated: July 8, 2004, 07:25:16 PM PDT


SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Former White House terrorism czar Richard Clarke called the mistreatment of Iraqi prisoners at Abu Ghraib a "war crime" and again blasted the Bush administration for actions that he said are intensifying the threat of terrorism.

"We have a major problem and we have not improved it over the last three years," Clarke said Thursday at the annual conference of the American Civil Liberties Union. "It, in fact, has gotten worse."

An unlikely medley of speakers, including former Republican congressman Bob Barr and FBI whistleblower Coleen Rowley, joined Clarke to talk about the increasing tension between civil liberties and national security. Later Thursday, Colorado Gov. Bill Owens, a Republican, debated former Democratic presidential contender Howard Dean on the same issue.

Clarke leveled the worst of his volleys against the Bush administration for its handling of terrorism, which he said had helped al-Qaida mutate into an uncontrollable entity "that no longer need Osama bin Laden to direct it," he said.

more... http://www.modbee.com/state_wire/story/8819190p-9706014c.html

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

1. I think the Bush Administration feels likewise

That's why they are afraid American soldiers might get prosecuted by the Hague.

[Gunit_Sangh]

2. What Barr said blows my mind

Of course I'm still on my first cup of coffee, but I had to read this three times to make sure I read it correctly

Bob Barr, one of the most conservative members of Congress during four terms representing Georgia, said that concerns about privacy, surveillance and national security led him to join forces with the liberal group.

"Make no mistake about it," Barr said to an audience that gradually warmed up to him. "The stakes could not be higher. This election year will in large measure determine whether or not the Bill of Rights survives in America."


A repug saying the Bill of rights may not survive if * is re-Selected.

[leftchick]

3. I agree... that is indeed mind blowing...

Bob Barr?!?!? :crazy:

[Disturbed]

4. A Police State?

There are probably more Republicans that still believe in The Constitution and The Bill of Rights than we hear about. I believe that there are quite a few Republicans who are disgusted with BushCo but aren't speaking out in fear of the BushCo Cult.

[DaveSZ]

5. That repeal of part of the unPatriot Act passed

with the help of some Repubs, but then the Speaker left the vote open long enough to get some to change their votes.

[KoKo]

6. Kick

:kick:

[Saintgermane]

8. Let's just hope....

...it's not too little, too late. Glad he came to his senses. I wonder if he acknowledges, even to himself, the causal chain that has brought us to this point:

the pillorying of Clinton, which led to:

the media bias that ridiculed Gore and led to:

his loss of the White House.

It's astonishing, the changes of heart. Barr, Huffington, Bennett, the list goes on, hell, even Orrin Hatch has had few kind words to say about this administration. Kudos to them , I suppose, for trying to put the genie back in the bottle, but I am still disgusted that these same players are the very ones whose stridence has led us to this point.

[struggle4progress]

7. kick

:kick: