George W Bush could pardon spies involved in torture

News Type: Event — Seeded on Sun Nov 16, 2008 6:39 PM EST

Article Source: Telegraph

politics, crime, human-rights, torture, cia, george-w-bush, guantanamo, spies, pardons, david-addington, presidential-pardons, william-haynes, pre-emptive-pardons

Seeded by Aine MacDermot

George W Bush is considering issuing pardons for US spies embroiled in allegations of torture just before he leaves the White House.

Senior intelligence officers are lobbying the outgoing president to look after the men and women who could face charges for following his orders in the war on terrorism.

Many fear that Barack Obama, who has pledged to close the Guantanamo Bay detention camp and put an end to the policy of extraordinary rendition, could launch a legal witch hunt against those who oversaw the policies after he is sworn in on Jan 20.

Most vulnerable are US intelligence officers who took part in intensive interrogations against terrorist suspects, using techniques including water boarding, which many believe crossed the line into torture.

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{"commentId":4089460,"authorDomain":"SuperSaiyan"}

SuperSaiyan

Why am I not surprised by this?

{"commentId":4089460,"threadId":"420947","contentId":"2118347","authorDomain":"SuperSaiyan"}

2 votes

#1 - Sun Nov 16, 2008 7:00 PM EST

{"commentId":4089573,"authorDomain":"aine"}

Aine MacDermot

I didn't think pardons could be issued without charges or convictions... that's why I always thought Ford's pardon of Nixon was illegal.

{"commentId":4089573,"threadId":"420947","contentId":"2118347","authorDomain":"aine"}

2 votes

#2 - Sun Nov 16, 2008 7:12 PM EST

{"commentId":4089618,"authorDomain":"Rixar13"}

Rixar13

Let's hope not, some justice is needed.

{"commentId":4089618,"threadId":"420947","contentId":"2118347","authorDomain":"Rixar13"}

2 votes

#3 - Sun Nov 16, 2008 7:17 PM EST

{"commentId":4089942,"authorDomain":"joelearley"}

Studiusbagus

I think any uniformed military person should be pardoned.....Bush and the CIA....NO!!!

{"commentId":4089942,"threadId":"420947","contentId":"2118347","authorDomain":"joelearley"}

2 votes

#4 - Sun Nov 16, 2008 7:50 PM EST

{"commentId":4090526,"authorDomain":"christopher-calbat"}

Sgt C USMC

I'm with you Studius

Bush can pardon the spies, the military personnel , and even the CIA.

As long as he's willing to take those charges on himself.

Being he was the one who signed the executive order legalizing torture, he should accept all the consequences that come from that act. Everyone under him, was just doing what they were told.

Wouldn't THAT be an interesting hearing ???

{"commentId":4090526,"threadId":"420947","contentId":"2118347","authorDomain":"christopher-calbat"}

2 votes

#5 - Sun Nov 16, 2008 9:07 PM EST

{"commentId":4090652,"authorDomain":"aine"}

Aine MacDermot

Indeed... I remember the days of watching the Watergate Hearings on network television. Those days are long gone, eh? Heh.

{"commentId":4090652,"threadId":"420947","contentId":"2118347","authorDomain":"aine"}

2 votes

#5.1 - Sun Nov 16, 2008 9:22 PM EST

{"commentId":4091066,"authorDomain":"jaymack"}

JayMack

Those days are indeed gone. In the Watergate Hearings time frame I remember the "Saturday Massacre" where Elliot Richardson and some of his team had orders from the president that he knew was wrong so he resigned right then & there. I think the order went down 3 levels before it was carried out. At times and especially in the military, resignation is the only answer. That takes real patriotic courage that is not found easily today. Seems the career is more important. Our government stood tall in the Watergate process. Good seed Aine MacD.

{"commentId":4091066,"threadId":"420947","contentId":"2118347","authorDomain":"jaymack"}

3 votes

#5.2 - Sun Nov 16, 2008 10:12 PM EST

{"canLink":false,"threadId":"420947","isPrivate":false}

Obama advisers: No charges likely vs interrogators	Associated Press	Mon Nov 17	251
ABC News: Record Numbers Seeking Bush Pardons	ABC News	Mon Nov 17	3
Record numbers seek last-minute pardons from President Bush.	Think Progress	Mon Nov 17	13
Pardon Me? Don't Bet On It.	VMS	Sun Nov 16	3

AINE MACDERMOT

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George W Bush could pardon spies involved in torture

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