Those who argue that the CIA should not be held accountable (which it rarely, if ever, is) are basically saying that no matter what a CIA operative or contract does, they should get off scott-free. I say in response that we are not a nation of gangsters. What some of these CIA operatives did went even beyond the Bush-era guidelines. Those who relied on legal advice (no matter how flawed) stand an excellent chance of escaping criminal prosecution because they can credibly argue that they acted without any intent to violate the law and that it was reasonable for them to rely on the legal advice that they were given. Only in a very extreme case would a prosecutor even file criminal charges against a defendant when the facts indicated that the defendant had such a legal defense. Those who exceeded the scope of the legal advice they were given...or who acted prior to receiving any legal advice...did so at their peril. That is a longstanding legal principle.
As far as those who gave the legal advice are concerned, lawyers are always held to a higher standard under the law because they know the law better than the average citizen due to their legal training. I strongly believe that John Wu and some of the others should be prosecuted because they knew better and simply told their masters what they wanted to hear, ignoring longstanding prior legal precedents in the process. Remember, during the Watergate scandal, most of the wrongdoers who wound up being prosecuted were lawyers...except for the 5 Watergate burglars.
what will this accomplish? more bashing of the old Bush admin? Bush is history. the only thisn BO is accomplishing is giving away money and criticising the old admin and the Repubs. NO and the demos better start ACCOMPLISHING something meaningful. that and Holder just might be the most dangerous man in America today - what hidden agendas he's working is anyones' guess.
by hower4 August 24, 2009 11:47 AM EDT There you go, you proved exactly what you're made of. All you can do is post a very weak joke. Do you have a sensible opinion about ANYTHING? ========================================
Pssst, I figured out why Scots wear kilts. (So the sheep don't hear the zippers)
by hower4 August 24, 2009 11:23 AM EDT No, I think having 'backbone' is completely irrelevant. I don't have any. It's simply about being honest with yourself and being prepared to admit that you have been wrong, even for your entire life. If you have HONESTLY thought about the arguments and you STILL think you're right, then what else can you do but stand up for them? ====================================
I asked a Scot once if he sheared his sheep. He told me to find my own damn sheep!
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But, gee, these guys DID kill our children and we should be sorry that we ONLY threatened to kill theirs. What a crock.
We threatened to kill the children of the 9/11 perpetrators?
Why would we do that?
As far as those who gave the legal advice are concerned, lawyers are always held to a higher standard under the law because they know the law better than the average citizen due to their legal training. I strongly believe that John Wu and some of the others should be prosecuted because they knew better and simply told their masters what they wanted to hear, ignoring longstanding prior legal precedents in the process. Remember, during the Watergate scandal, most of the wrongdoers who wound up being prosecuted were lawyers...except for the 5 Watergate burglars.
There you go, you proved exactly what you're made of. All you can do is post a very weak joke. Do you have a sensible opinion about ANYTHING?
========================================
Pssst, I figured out why Scots wear kilts. (So the sheep don't hear the zippers)
No, I think having 'backbone' is completely irrelevant. I don't have any. It's simply about being honest with yourself and being prepared to admit that you have been wrong, even for your entire life. If you have HONESTLY thought about the arguments and you STILL think you're right, then what else can you do but stand up for them?
====================================
I asked a Scot once if he sheared his sheep. He told me to find my own damn sheep!