I have been consistently backing the lawsuits of the ACLU to make the record public on torture by the U.S. under the Bush administration, and letting the chips fall. From the top down.

Word comes this afternoon, that in light of a personal plea from Gen. Ray Odierno, the top commander in Iraq, President Obama has reversed himself and will order the Justice Department to contest the release of hundreds more images of alleged abuse of prisoners by America troops and agents. General Odierno claimed that releasing the images would endanger US troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

In spite of my deep belief that the facts regarding this shameful episode in U.S. history must be made public, I see no benefit in publishing these images now. We have seen enough to know what they contain.

Releasing yet more sickening images of inhmane treatment of prisoners may very well work against the ultimate goal of achieving peaceful reconciliation among the peoples of Iraq and Afghanistan.

However, these images must never be destroyed. They should be held for evidence in trials of alleged abusers, and all those who may have broken the law, including those who conspired in the Oval Office.

These images must stand as part of the record of the tragic folly of the so-called "war on terror", so that we can never deny what we have done, and what was done in our name.

 

The slow release of documents exposing the inhumane and illegal interrogation policies of the CIA under the Bush administration have confirmed what human beings have learned over the centuries through the practice of torture.

In summary, torture inflicts more harm on the perpetrators than the victims.

The contents of these documents, as well as the testimony of dozens of participants and victims have confirmed the following truths about torture.

Torture produces virtually no actionable information, as the victims will say whatever they think will stop the pain.

The frequent and prolonged use of torture has cumulative psychological and physiological effects on the victim, rendering them useless as sources of information, or even caring for themselves.

Once torture is sanctioned, but allowed only in certain, high risk situations, it quickly becomes a standard practice.

While initially it may be reserved for high-value detainees, eventually women and children will be victimized in order to reach high-value targets.

Medical authorities and mental health professionals can easily be persuaded to participate in torture, even though it is, of course, in direct violation of their ethical oaths.

Those called upon to inflict torture suffer severe mental damage from their direct responsibility in inflicting pain and suffering on another human.

When authorities are incorrectly convinced that a prisoner has valuable information, they will repeatedly increase the severity and the frequency of the torture, the inability of the victim to provide the information or a convincing lie only increasing the certainty of the torturers that he is withholding the information.

Knowledge that torture is occurring is one of the most effective tools in recruiting resistance fighters and volunteers for suicide missions.

The use of torture destroys the credibility of a nation that uses and denies it, and erodes any claim to moral authority, the corrosive effect lasting for decades or even centuries.

Specifically, in the case of the United States, in our "war on terror", we tortured innocent persons, including children. We repeatedly lied to the world and our own citizens about our actions. We murdered prisoners during torture.

Under international laws, we do not have a choice not to prosecute those who sanctioned or those who participated in torture.

This includes officials in all branches of the federal government. It includes the agents who were ordered to participate, the doctors and psychologists who enabled and advised and excused.

This country will continue to rot from the inside until this disgraceful period of our history is excised and the guilty identified and punished. Only then can we speak to the world with authority about human rights in other countries.

Without irony, it really is sad to see what's become of the Grand Old Party.

It was bad enough when they were just wrong. Now they're crazy and wrong.

They wandered off the path decades ago, it's true, still you hate to see an old friend go completely off the deep end.

From Ronald Reagan, through Ollie North, Tom Delay, D ick Armory, Newt Gingrich, George Bush, D ick Cheney, John McCain and Sarah Palin, there has been an uninterrupted string of Christian radicals, right-wing extremists and just plain nonsensical fools coming to the surface of the so-called "Conservative Movement". The weird thing is, there are still a rather significant minority of Americans who are far enough out of touch with reality that they follow along.

What happened to plain old conservative Americans who supported their government and were happy to pay their taxes?

Now, it seems, that a total lack of alternative ideas (cutting taxes is not an alternative idea when taxes have already been cut) and leadership has led the Republicans to this. Tea Parties.

Really? That's it? Street corner circus?

Rupert Murdoch's FOX "News" organizes a bunch of Fascist-leaning millionaires to put together these ridiculous Tea Parties across the country, and the loonies show up.

These are people who deny they lost the election, people who don't believe in evolution, people who still think civil rights should be restricted to straight white men, survivalists, end-timers, and people who think reality is something you see on TV.

It is not only sad, it's bad for the country.

We could really use some fresh ideas, and someone to raise legitimate concerns with the current administration, but the Republican Party has collapsed in on itself, the only thing emanating from the debris is hate.

The only thing more tragic would be if they had won the election.

 

We all carry a version of 9-11 in our heads. I watched the second plane hit, and each tower collapse on a 6" B&W screen in a buddy's cubicle at the office.

You no doubt remember how the events unfolded into your world.

But there is an Official version of the worst act of violence on American soil since Pearl Harbor. Although most people think of The National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States (also known as the 9-11 Commission), as an attempt to prevent further attacks, the "independent, bipartisan commission created by congressional legislation and the signature of President George W. Bush in late 2002, is chartered to prepare a full and complete account of the circumstances surrounding the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, including preparedness for and the immediate response to the attacks."

This report - delivered to the American people on July 22, 2004, nearly two years after American troops invaded Iraq in retaliation for the attacks - is the Federal government's version of what happen on September 11, 2001. You can read, or review the record managed by of the National Archives and Records Administration, here.

But keep this in mind. As we now know by admission of the CIA, the three primary authors of the report were coerced into writing it by the use of torture.

(Save any comments about what you personally consider to be torture. There are legal definitions under various statutes, and they were all broken in the treatment of Abu Zubdayah, Abd a'Rahim al-Nashri, and Khalid Sheikh Mohammed.)

The 9-11 Commission failed to account for the fact that it's primary witnesses - the alleged perpetrators of these acts - were under threat of torture and death when they laid out the "official" story of 9-11. In the courts, of course information obtained through coercion is unacceptable as evidence (not to say it doesn't happen), but in intelligence circles, information obtained through torture is highly suspect, because research shows that people will say whatever they need to to avoid physical pain.

The 9-11 Commission never had access to any of the detainees, but sent their questions to the CIA, who obtained answers by whatever methods they felt necessary.

So, much of the Official version of 9-11 must now be considered to be fictionalized to meet the demands of those holding the whip - the United States government, specifically the Bush administration.

Now there is a growing call for another "Truth Commission" - to investigate the very actions that lead directly to the report from the 9-11 Commission.

We are a nation of laws. We do not need any more commissions.

We need a full, legal investigation by a Special Prosecutor of the possible crimes, national and international, committed by President George W. Bush, Vice President Richard Cheney, and any other officials of the previous administration, including the CIA, the military, and private contractors to determine what, if any, laws were broken.

Those who have broken the law need to be tried, and those convicted need to be sentenced appropriately.

It is clear that AIG and CITI and perhaps a score of other "too big to fail" companies should be nationalised.

It is the only way to get these renegade corporations under control. It is the only way to guarantee that our (the U.S. taxpayers') investments in these companies will be used to the benefit of the U.S. taxpayers.

Here is why it has not happened.

If the Obama administration does assume control, the Republicans and the TV networks will scream "Socialist!" "Socialist!" "Obama is a socialist!"

(Let's remember that the first person to bail out these "Too big to fail" companies was that corporate submissive George W. Bush.)

Obama needs to stop worrying about the mainstream media and take control of some of these "too big too fail" corporations and put the fear of god into the captains of capitalism.

Yesterday, under a Freedom of Information request filed by the American Civil Liberties Union, the Department of Justice released nine of the 100-some requested documents from the Bush DOJ.

According to the quasi-legal ramblings of John Yoo, who worked in the Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel, the President of the United States, by virtue of being the Commander-in-Chief, has the unilateral power to declare that the country is at war.

Further, when we are "at war", the President can - at his word - suspend the Constitution of the United States.

That means that he could also suspend the Congress, and replace civil law with martial law.

At his word, the U.S military could invade your home (and take your precious guns) either secretly, when you were at work or sleeping, or by kicking down your door  - and killing you if you resisted.

Members of your family could be abducted, tortured and held indefinitely, with no need for any charges to be filed, or any legal process - other than the order of the president.

You may find this incredible. But it actually happened. From shortly after the attacks of September 2001, until hours before he left office, George W. Bush was dictator of the United States. They prefer the title "Unitary Executive".

We're not "just" talking about waterboarding a few presumed "bad guys".

We're talking about listening and reading everything you say and write. About scanning all of your purchases and bank accounts. About shutting down all media or just selected outlets. About soldiers on the streets of American cities, enforcing the will of a single man - the President of the United States.

All of you who claim to be upholders of freedom, all you quasi-patriots, all of you who support the military, should be outraged that your hero, George W. Bush, reserved the right for himself to use those armed forces to rule you like slaves.

Where is the outrage from all you phony "Conservatives"?

Will none of you stand up for your country and demand that Bush and Cheney face impeachment?

 

With the Justice Department now back in the hands of the law, the evidence of the Bush administration's assault on the Constitution is finding its way into daylight.

These documents reveal the administration's utter disregard for the American people.

Newly disclosed memos from the Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel sanctioned the use of military force against U.S. terrorists, curbs on free speech and the transfer of terrorism suspects to countries known to commit human rights abuses. They also condoned illegal wiretapping, domestic spying, and suspension of the legal process for "suspected terrorists."

Bush defenders will say that he and his thugs were only acting in our best interests. That all of these blatantly illegal acts were necessary to "protect" us.

They will say that Bush & company believed they were acting legally.

If that were the case, why did they attempt to withdraw these illegal programs only days before leaving office?

Why did they repeatedly include language in these documents that would leave them escape hatches if they were prosecuted? For example, the memo that says detainees could be transferred to countries that commit human rights abuses if U.S. officials didn’t intentionally seek their torture?

Don't tell me that they thought they were acting legally. The very real and present danger to the United States during the Bush years was the Bush White House.

Two things need to be kept in mind when reviewing these documents.

The first is that Bush and Cheney repeatedly said that the so-called "war" on terror would last indefinitely. Indefinitely. Our rights were to be "suspended" indefinitely.

Second, recall Bush's famous remark, "You're either with us, or you're with the terrorists." That threat was meant for U.S. citizens.

We are responsible for investigating and trying Bush, Cheney and key members of that administration for all of their attempts to evade the law.

We do NOT need "truth commissions" to explain and forgive.

We need to re-assert the rule of law, with no conditions.

There's an interestingly weird poll out today by Harris Interactive.

Apparently more people hold up President Barrack Obama as their personal hero than do Jesus Christ. (Hat tip to John Lennon.)

At least more people among the 2,634 adults Harris surveyed online from Jan. 12-19.

Jesus, formerly number one, had to settle for runner-up.

Ranking behind Obama and Jesus, in order, were Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and two ex-presidents: Ronald Reagan and George Bush.

Wow. I really don't know what to make of that.

Abraham Lincoln in sixth place? - behind Bush, who was recently ranked by eminent historians as the seventh worst president in the history of the republic?

Respondents were asked to write in their personal heroes, with no list to choose from.

Obama, Jesus, Dr. King, Reagan. Bush, Lincoln.

While this finding is a perfect example of a non-scientific survey masquerading as a poll, I think it does expose the crack that runs right down the middle of America's skull.

One comforting note; Captain "Sully" Chesley Sullenberger finished 12 spots ahead of Sarah "Barracuda" Palin.

What a country. God bless our pointy little heads.

Just a few days ago, someone who calls themselves "seektruth" left a comment on my post "Progress in Iraq".

"You liberals just can't let the past go…can you?", wrote "seektruth".

Those of you who are believers in any of the justifications for invading Iraq would like to believe that it all came out OK.

Maybe you feel pride in our military for beating down the Iraqi army and then building it back up.

Maybe you feel safer knowing for sure that Iraq didn't have Weapons of Mass Destruction.

Maybe you sleep better because Al-Queda has has come and gone from Iraq.

Maybe you even feel proud for having taken out a dictator and liberating the Iraqi people.

Congratulations. Mission accomplished.

Just don't expect the Iraqis to thank you.

According to new figures from the UN, some 4.5 million Iraqis were driven from their homes by our invasion and our failure to predict and prevent sectarian warfare. Half of those are refugees, still without a place to live. In the last year, despite the reduced level violence, only 5% of those displaced have felt it was safe to return to their former homes, fearing renewed sectarian violence.

Iraqi officials estimate there are 5 million orphans as a result of our war.

Whether you support the war - it is not "past" - or you don't, you and I are responsible for as many as a million dead Iraqis.

Those who claimed a franchise on patriotism in these blogs and elsewhere when the war was front page news don't talk about Iraq anymore.

It is outrageous that they just want to pretend that it's "past".

In a ceremony that was remarkably low-key for it's historical significance, President Barack Obama signed several orders yesterday that gutted George W. Bush's so-called "war on terror".

There never was a "war on terror", of course, any more than there can be a war on any other human activity. War is "on" human beings.

The "war on terror" was nothing more than a marketing slogan, but it represented a collection of the most egregious and inhumane (I dare say anti-American) policies ever adopted by the United States.

While some have ruthlessly justified these inhumane policies with keeping "us" safe, I have seen no credible evidence to support the contention that lives have been saved. If the Bush administration ever disrupted a credible terrorist action it was never publicized, although several obviously inept plots were.

On the other hand, this set of policies: illegal detainment of suspects, denial of legal process, torture and systematic mistreatment, rendition to third countries for torture, and the operation of several "black" CIA prisons operating completely outside of international law, have been cited repeatedly as the strongest motivator of Muslim extremists, aside from the invasion and occupation of Iraq itself.

Obama also met with his military staff, working with them to meet his plan to have virtually all American troops out of Iraq within 16 months.

And he met with the Justice Department - NOT the Pentagon - to create a plan for the difficult task of closing down Camp Xray at Guantanamo Bay Cuba.

As great a day as it was, there is an asterisk. There is a clause that calls for further study of the results of the "extreme" interrogation techniques and the caveat that it may be necessary under some circumstances for the CIA or other agencies to go beyond the interrogation techniques described in the Army Field Manual.

This asterisk gives me great concern, because as we have seen under Bush, once the law is breached, the gap can quickly grow into a chasm that washes away all laws.

The collective actions of President Obama have ended the illegal "war on terror" and turned us onto the path of the legal - and moral - pursuit of those individuals and groups that are guilty of planning or executing acts of violence - for whatever cause.

It has been two (and counting) great days for civil and human rights in not just the United States but for people everywhere.

I will also point this out; At least we were told about the asterisk. Now, let's work to remove it.

Witness comes today from a former National Security Agency analyst, Russell Tice, that my long-held suspicion is true.

The National Security Agency is illegally monitoring all - all - digital communications.

To keep us safe from those who do not share our love of liberty.

Yes, even red-blooded American patriots are having their phone calls and emails monitored by their own government every single day.

This, of course, is directly contrary to the lies we were fed by the Bush administration, who claimed that only international calls that were placed or received by a "suspected terrorist" were being monitored.

So much for search warrants. So much for the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution.

So much for the rule of law.

I am certain that the Bush apologists will say that spying on us is for our own good - to keep us "safe".

It appears that we have surrendered to the terrorists. We have compromised our basic American values as a result of their violent tactics. They won.

Obviously, President Obama should halt this blatantly illegal practice immediately and focus on finding actual terrorists instead of targeting journalists and politcal enemies.

And, obviously, those who authorized this breach of the Constitution should - must - be held accountable.

In the meantime, watch what you say.

My recent posts on the need for this country to cleanse itself through the unequivocal denunciation of torture, our unconditional commitment to honor all international and U.S. laws providing for the protection of human rights, and the investigation and prosecution of those responsible for the violations of human rights during the Bush administration, have brought numerous comments (from a small number of people) attempting to convince me that;

• Waterboarding is not torture, if it's done in a certain way or only a few times.
  
• Even if it was torture, we "only" tortured a small number of people.
  
• Even though we did torture, since it occurred in Guantanamo Bay, a legal no-man's land, it was technically not a violation of any international or U.S. law.
• The torture administered by Americans on Iraqis in Iraq were the work of a few rogue soldiers.
• Torture was authorized by the Congress.
  
• Torture and gross violations of human rights are necessary to protect us from those who would grossly violate our human rights and torture us.
• Because of any or all of the above, we are morally entitled to treat human beings as less than human.
  

May I say to those who wrote to express those views or those who are considering doing so: Save your time.

As insignificant as this forum is, I will not let it be used as a microphone for voices that call for or excuse the degradation of our fellow humans.

The outgoing Bush administration has soiled the rule of law, and the rule of law - the Constitution - is the soul of America.

They must not be allowed to just walk away.

To allow their crimes to go unexamined - and unpunished - is to desecrate what this country stands for.

From "protecting" us by tapping our phones and torturing those who "threaten" us, to putting hacks and cronies in charge of the agencies that are responsible for our well-being  - from FEMA to the the Department of Justice - the Bush administration has acted criminally from top to bottom.

Osama bin Laden could never damage the foundations of this country the way that Bush has. The crimes of Richard Nixon pale in comparison to the lawlessness of the Bush administration.

Their incompetence allowed the worst attack on this nation since Pearl Harbor. They must not be allowed to use their own failure to protect us as a shield from the Constitution.

A full scale criminal investigation by a Special Prosecutor into the crimes of the Bush administration is the only way to flush the American political system of the toxins of this administration.

It is essential to the integrity of the Constitution and the future of this country that we, the people, hold our fellow citizens accountable for their actions as our representatives.

Let your Representatives in Congress know that you expect the law to apply to the Executive branch, and that a Special Prosecutor is essential to the protection of the Constitution of the United States.

President Bush has admitted that he authorized torture of individuals suspected of participating in terrorist activities.

Vice President *** Cheney is on a national tour practically bragging about his decision to use torture.

Whether the detainees (prisoners) actually did or did not plan, support or participate in acts of terror will never be known, because their torture invalidates any confessions, and makes it impossible for them to participate meaningfully in their own defense. They are, literally, terrorized.

So, the guilt of the prisoners will apparently be known only to some-one's God.

However, we do know that those who sanctioned, carried out, or failed to report the torture are guilty.

The recent confessions by these guilty parties do not stem from some sudden enlightenment on the nature of their crimes. As would be expected, it is entirely self-serving.

The only rational reason for the sudden need of confession by the President et.al, is to force the American people to make a choice:

Put us in jail or vindicate our crimes.

By admitting their crimes, the guilty put this choice before the American people, which will have to be made by Barack Obama. Do we try the ex-President, the ex-Vice President, the ex-Secretary of State and two ex-Attorneys General for their crimes and sentence them to prison?

In a final power-play, George Bush will issue a blanket pardon for everyone connected to these crimes, and make Obama decide whether to try them or accept the outrage of criminals pardoning themselves.

The rule of law must be restored.

These people must be brought to justice. If Obama fails to do so, then he becomes complicit in their crimes.

I said back in December that President Obama's choice to head the CIA would determine the character of his Presidency.

I am extremely pleased that Obama has gone outside the agency to select Leon Panetta as the new Director.

This choice demonstrates all of the boldness and the intelligence that make Obama the right man for the job.

Panetta is not an obvious choice, having no previous service in the intelligence agencies. That is exactly what makes him the right man for the job.

Certainly, the American intelligence agencies have not served the nation well under Bush. Although to their credit they gave clear and persistent warning that 9-11 was on its way, they subsequently buckled to political pressure and allowed their work to be cherry-picked by the administration to fabricate a case for the invasion of Iraq.

As far as I know, no one in a leadership position in the CIA had the integrity to stand up to the Vice President when he was twisting the facts. George Tenet's performance as a back-up singer to Cheney was pathetic. Tenent then accepted some kind of gold medal from the President in exchange for letting the agency take the fall for 9-11. "Heckuvajob, Georgie!"

Panetta is on the record condemning the Bush administration's illegal detention and interrogations of terrorism suspects - kidnapping people off the street, holding them in secret prisons, rendering them to nations that have no respect for human rights, and authorization of torture by American agents. This is a disgusting mess that no one in the agency could be expected to clean up.

"Leon Panetta has a long and distinguished career in public service and there are few people of whom I have a higher opinion," Senator Russ Feingold said in a statement today.

Obama has made some very centrist personnel picks, some of which have us progressives scratching our heads.

This one, and his selections for DOJ, have been outstanding, and demonstrate that when it gets down to the law, the new administration - unlike the outgoing one - can be expected to govern within it.

I can't believe I even had to say that.

Even as the world counts down the minutes until the Bush Administration is finally kicked to the curb, the arrogance and ignorance that have been trademarks of Bush & Co. are sowing the seeds of future terrorist acts.

As Israeli tanks rolled once again into Palestinian cities, the United States, in utter disregard for the civilians in their path, has blocked the United Nations from releasing a statement calling for a cease-fire. Not a legally binding resolution, mind you, but a statement of concern for the escalation of violence and the civilian deaths and trauma. To those who constantly criticize the U.N.'s inability to effect change, please note that the insistence of the U.S. in attempting to control the organization is the primary detriment to its credibility.

So reactionary is the Bush administration's sponsorship of Israel that even a simple statement of concern and compassion is rejected as implying criticism of those who are storming into towns and villages with guns blazing.

If we are to reduce violence - terrorist and state-sanctioned - in the Middle East and its echoes around the world, the United States is going to have to address the plight of the Palestinian people and begin to work cooperatively with the governments in the area to alleviate the dreadful conditions under which most Arabs live. Obviously, it is not easy to work with highly undemocratic governments that sponsor rogue violence, such as Iran.

However, unlike Bush, who stoked the fires of terror through his refusal to deal with the situation in any way other than expressing unconditional financial and political support for Israel, President Obama will be well advised to take an assertive, even-handed approach to the Israel-Palestinian conflict. A serious attempt at negotiation would, in itself, do more to reduce the threat of terrorism than all of the misguided weapons in the Bush "war on terror".

The timing of the Israeli aggression, after many months of the random rockets coming from Gaza, strongly suggests that the Israelis suspect that the days of total commitment to their point of view may be leaving Washington with the little man Bush.

As always in war, the brunt of the suffering is being inflicted on civilians by self-serving politicians and arrogant military and para-military forces who are convinced that their acts of violence are noble and heroic.

Before midnight tonight.

 

From:  Buzz Davis, Chair, WI Impeachment/Bring Our Troops Home Coalition, 608-239-5354

Over 13,000 Wisconsinites have signed petitions to commence impeachment investigations against Mr. Bush and Mr. Cheney.  WI and national political leaders have been given a copy of our 1,100 plus page petitions demanding impeachment commence.  WI Rep. Tammy Baldwin has become a leader in the impeachment movement but, to our regrets, the movement has not taken fire.  The corporate media is in control of the print and the establishment politicians are in control of the House.

 

But Bush and Cheney CAN still be impeached after they leave office.  So we can still have hope.

 

Impeachment is the political punishment for illegal actions in office.  Prosecution in the courts is the judicial punishment for illegal actions.

Please vote before midnight tonight to have Barack answer this question:

"Will you appoint a Special Prosecutor - ideally Patrick Fitzgerald - to independently investigate the gravest crimes of the Bush Administration, including torture and warrantless wiretapping?"

Here's how:

1. Sign in or create an account at http://change.gov/openforquestions
2. Search for " Fitzgerald "
3. This will display several similar questions, so look carefully for "Bob Fertik"
4. Look right for the checkbox, mouseover it so it goes from white to dark, then click to cast your vote

As Ari Melber writes in The Nation,

With so few journalists directly asking the President-Elect about [torture and war crimes prosecution], it is up to the rest of us to put accountability and the rule of law on the agenda. Change.gov is a fine place to start.

Discuss this here:
http://www.democrats.com/encourage-obama-to-appoint-a-special-prosecutor

The adoption of torture as American policy, and the abandonment of the laws against it, is certainly one of the most disgraceful aspects of President George W. Bush's legacy. This surrender of American moral leadership is historical, and tragic, as it will certainly lead to the acceptance and spread of state-sponsored terror.

When we embraced a policy of torturing as a means of retaliation, and a weapon, we abandoned the high ground and joined the ranks of those who flew airplanes into the World Trade Center on 9-11.

A recent study, which is actually a modified version of a study from decades ago, confirms that most people - 70% - will repeatedly administer painful and dangerous electrical shocks to another person if told to do so by some "authority". The details of the study are here.

Does this help explain how otherwise decent people can so easily be pushed into "supporting" war?

Into laying down their Constitutional rights? Surrendering their Christian values? Ignoring poverty, homelessness and mental illness? Condemning those who are "different"?

Because somebody tells us to? Because the president tells us to? Because the mullah says to?

Imagine. This Christmas, unknown numbers of people are being tortured - by Americans representing you. While you are sitting around the tree smiling lovingly at your kids opening their presents.

And, quite possibly, someone experiencing those acts of torture, is dreaming about inflicting them on your kids.

Will you take a stand against torture?

It would be entirely appropriate if lame-brain duck President George W. Bush, now on his final "surprise visit" to Iraq, should remain there for the rest of his days, basking in the eternal gratitude of the Iraqi people.

A "surprise visit", of course means that he is still not brave enough, Iraq is still too bloody and chaotic, for anything like an announced head-of-state visit, unless you are the head of state of Iran.

Sneak in, take some pictures ("You guys still have that plastic turkey around here?"), sneak the hell out and never to return. That is the plan.

One last photo-op with W and the grateful Iraqi people. No. Can't do that. Might get blown up.

OK, one last photo op in a bunker deep in fortress "Green Zone" with the democratically-elected representatives of the grateful Iraqi people. Thank us for putting the Shia back in power over the Sunni, and opening the door for the Iranians to run the place.

Nice work, W. Nice job.

We destroyed the infrastructure of an entire country, killed hundreds of thousands of its citizens, drove 4 million more into exile, and then threw $100 billion American tax dollars at a totally bungled and corrupt reconstruction effort.

Heck'ova job, Bushie.

Do us all a favor; check yourself into Abu Grebe, and save us the cost of a trial.

[UPDATE]

Obviously, the Iraqis don't want the SOB either.

[UPDATE]

And then, on to Afghanistan.

From the NYT:

“This is a country significantly larger than Iraq, and significantly poorer; the infrastructure is difficult,” he said. ”Nevertheless, the mission is essential. We cannot, you know, achieve our objective — of removing the safe havens, kicking out Taliban — and say, ‘O.K., now let’s leave.’ ”

"We want to do the hard work now," he said.

And then - he left.