Below is today’s brief column in the Los Angeles Times where I joined other writers on how each of us believes President Obama can earn the Nobel Prize, here. For civil libertarians, Obama’s selection is the ultimate triumph of hope over experience. My suggestion is probably predictable for people on this blog.
Appoint a prosecutor for war crimes
Jonathan Turley
To truly earn the Nobel Peace Prize, President Obama needs to transform himself from a barrier to a beacon when it comes to human rights and international law.
The most obvious start would be to fulfill our obligations under treaties and international law to appoint a special prosecutor, without limitations, to investigate and prosecute any war crimes committed by U.S. officials. Obama already has acknowledged that waterboarding is torture and that torture is a war crime, yet his administration is blocking investigations that are the prerequisite to justice. Obama has promised CIA employees as a group that they would not be prosecuted for torture for following orders, despite the long-standing finding from the Nuremburg trials that “just following orders” is no defense for a war crime. Appointing a special prosecutor would show that Obama will not continue to circumvent principle for politics. He could further demonstrate his commitment to international law by dropping his opposition to the release of photographs and other records showing our abuse of detainees.
Doing the right thing often demands decisions that are neither popular nor easy. If Obama wants to show that the peace prize is more than the superficial triumph of a cult of personality, he can start by showing that his own country is willing to pay the price demanded by the law of nations.
Jonathan Turley is a law professor at George Washington University and has served as lead counsel in various major national security and constitutional cases.
AY,
No problem. I was kidding also.
Anonymously Yours I’m sorry you feel that way. I can’t tell you what I heard in his speech, thats not a road I can go down. Tell ya what, lets just leave it alone and let it play out this week. The not evil just wrong premiers tonight so the show is about to begin.
rafflaw,
I just read what I typed and it was kinda funny. But I meant no offense to anyone.
rafflaw,
If it don’t fit just split the back and shove as much as you can into it. Who care what it looks like. Any Queen could tell you that. lol
AY,
I couldn’t get the Ruby Slippers to fit. My feet must be swollen from running down Birther and Tenther nonsense! Keep up the good work!
bdaman 1, October 18, 2009 at 3:58 pm
Thats all well and good, …..He has some very direct suggestions in that speech.
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No problem what is the very direct suggestion that you are alluding to. State it, I have been through this dance with you before and I did not get paid. I did feel played though, so here after define your answer to the question fielded and I will respond. Or should that be define your question to be answered? This gets confusing with you,I feel like it is a chess game and you are just moving your queen back and forth. Eventually, it will get captured unless you have some support for your counter attack. Playing checkers that way will allow multiple jumps in the same players turn before you get to get one queened or is that a king? Will you please show me how to play poker? I am just learning…..Please?
Thats all well and good, I think your missing the direction this is going. He has some very direct suggestions in that speech.
Sorry to have disturbed you.
rafflaw,
quaint, dainty, deadly ask those that have left gitmo. Oh you can’t. Their movement is limited now days and they don’t communicate with the living anymore.
And what may I ask does that damn convention paperwork have to do with anything? Paper I tell you, paper. That’s all it is, paper. Not worth a cotton picken nickle to them.
Did you expect Cheney a former long term governmental employee to respect paperwork produced by someone else other than his department. Surely you jest.
Heck maybe bdaman can use this link to get back back home, remember to click your ruby red slippers together 3 times before you click on the link: http://forums.hannity.com/showthread.php?t=1685361
AY,
You are correct and I might add that the Geneva Convention against Torture was accepted by the US and it became US law.
Except for Bush and Cheney of course who considered it “quaint”.
bdaman,
So do you have a problem with NATO? Hmm, me thinks you are parroting Hannity. Are you? Can you think for yourself?
History, a unilateral treaty signed by the president can bind the US, oops, no it can’t ask Woodrow Wilson about his league of nations, notions. Now if that same treaty is signed by the president and ratified by the senate then we have what is called the united nations in NY as opposed to SFO. Then it trumps the constitution.
I am recalling all the above up from memory. Its accuracy is pretty good if my memory has not failed me.
Anonymously Yours
My thinking was this,
Monckton says once this is signed it takes precedence over the U.S. Constitution”. I was asking Professor Turley, a consitutional attorney, highly educated, respected for his opinion and a outstanding citizen within his own community. I was just asking if he would review this statement. Will he read the Treaty for us, 200 pages, and give us his opinion? Monckton is now being called out to speak on the subject. He so far has denied any discussion with the media unless discussing climate change.
After review of the 200 page document in which Lord Monckton bases his statement’s in which he states the President of The United States will sign this document. What does Lord Monckton mean when he say’s the treaty will take precendence over the U.S. Constitution.
Review the video again and see what else he says that has attracted the attention.
the other reason why I posted this here in this thread was his swipe. When he say’s
“he’ll sign it, after all he’s a Nobel laureate”.
And yes I want a clean earth too.
AY,
Kudos for your attempt to bring bdaman in the Reality fold. I don’t think I have the patience for someone who will not respond to facts.
Prof. Turley,
All I can say after reading your post is “Amen”!
bdaman,
I googled the question that you posed to the professor. This is the question as posed:
“Lord Monckton in his speech on Oct 14th says that when, not if, President Obama signs the treatsie in Coppenhagen that a New World Goverment will be formed as a new entity”
This is what appeared the most. Climate Change News, Climate Change News Digest…
Here is the link: http://www.climatechangebusinessforum.com/en-us/page/show/ccn_ccnd
Are you saying you have a problem with clean air, water, earth? And that businesses need to keep a watchful eye on how they pollute and you have a problem with this?
And what planet do you suppose we go and live? Have you ever read anything about mercury poisoning in the great lakes? Will you eat my share of the fish? Please, please?
It is going to cost businesses to comply and that cost will be shared by consumers. Whats you point?
Oh, and do not change the question that you posed. Stay on the subject please.
In his acceptance speech, President Obama stated that he would use the award as a sort of sign of things to come. A lot has been said about how he has done nothing to earn the prize, but I think that he will use the award to pave the way for things to come.
Professor, speaking of
“to fulfill our obligations under treaties and international law ”
Lord Monckton in his speech on Oct 14th says that when, not if, President Obama signs the treatsie in Coppenhagen that a New World Goverment will be formed as a new entity. It will have two other purposes, the transfer of wealth from the west to third world countries and enforcement of such.
He says once this is signed it takes precedence over the U.S. Constitution and we will not be able to resign from that treaty unless getting agreement from the other parties.
Question: Can or will you review this treaty to tell us whether or not what Lord Monckton’s statement has ANY validity to it.
Thank you for your stong, clear voice. We need more like it.
Well written and succinct, Professor Turley.
Good Morning All:
lucky me,I have been called back to work,and I am now working,(6) days aweek 12 to 15 hours a day so I am kind of out of the loop.So sunday for now is my day to check in and gather knowledge from the posters here on the blog which I see as one of the best out there.Led by the Profesor.
Better be careful, they will offer you a plumb job/assignment and silence the most vocal critic. Then you are under a continuing obligation to cease a critical voice. Just ask Vince Foster, oops sorry you can’t, unless you call Ms. Cleo. JT, you listening?