Administration Seeks to Narrow War Crimes Act

The Bush administration has drafted amendments to a U.S. war crimes law “passed in the mid-1990s that criminalized violations of the Geneva Conventions.” The changes would mean interrogators would no longer face possible prosecution for committing “outrages upon [the] personal dignity” of prisoners. Examples of these “outrages” could include acts “such as the forced nakedness, use of dog leashes and wearing of women’s underwear seen at the U.S.-run Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq.” “This removal of [any] reference to humiliating and degrading treatment will be perceived by experts and probably allies as ‘rewriting'” the Geneva Conventions, said retired Army Lt. Col. Geoffrey S. Corn. “The plan has provoked concern at the International Committee of the Red Cross, the entity responsible for safeguarding the Geneva Conventions.” Two weeks ago, Attorney General Alberto Gonzales spoke privately with lawmakers about the need for “protections” against prosecution for “actions taken by U.S. personnel under a 2002 presidential order, which the Supreme Court declared illegal, and under Justice Department legal opinions that have been withdrawn under fire.”

Do you think that maybe they’re getting afraid they’re all going to jail. They certainly deserve to.? Once again we see an administration incapable of understanding the basic precepts?of what?being American is all about.? Once again, I call on all of you to contact your representatives in Congress, and demand that they do not narrow the definition of war crimes.