U.S. turns a blind eye on Bush’s war crimes
Human rights violations too touchy for politicians to tackle
By Cal Colgan | gargoyle@flagler.edu
Last month, the nation watched as Barack Obama was sworn in as the 44th president of the United States—and the first half-black president of this country. There were whispers of change, hope and prosperity among the students at Flagler after they watched the new president speak of facing difficult times together- not as Muslims, not as Christians, and not even as representatives of our various cultures- but simply as Americans.
Yet, as the saying goes, “The shadow of the past eclipses the future.” And although the shining light of “the audacity of hope” still resonates in the American psyche, the rest of the world has not forgotten the dark shadow cast by George W. Bush and his cronies.
According to a Jan. 21 article in Harper’s Magazine, German TV station ZDF recently interviewed Manfred Nowak, world-renowned law professor at the University of Vienna, and the current official responsible for defining and presenting cases of torture to the United Nations. Nowak told ZDF that Bush and former secretary of defense Donald Rumsfeld violated international law with their treatment of detainees in their oxymoronic “War on Terrorism.”
As Bush’s presidential term is now over, Nowak continued, he no longer has immunity from international trial as a head of state, and the Obama administration is bound by international law to begin a criminal investigation into the torture practices he and his underlings used.
Nowak investigated the U.S. detention facilities at Guantanamo Bay in 2006, and concluded that the Bush administration violated internationally-recognized human rights norms, especially the prohibition against the use of torture.
“The evidence is on the table. There is no avoiding the fact that this was torture,” Nowak told ZDF.
During its undertakings in the Convention Against Torture, the U.S. government stated that it was committed to criminally prosecuting anyone who tortured, or that it would at least extradite the offenders to a political state that would prosecute them. Nowak stated that the United States must honor its commitment to international human rights by bringing Bush and Rumsfeld to justice.
Yet, it is difficult to deliver punishment for international law violations to a former head of state of the U.S., which is by far the biggest rogue state of the 21st century.
Any intelligent person whose brain has not been completely whitewashed by the falsified claims of patriotic high school history textbooks knows that the U.S. government never had a problem with torture before Bush and his cronies seized control of the superpower.
In his Jan. 26 article for Counterpunch Magazine, columnist Alan Nairn recalls clandestine CIA operations around the globe that certainly involved torture and even unnecessary killing.
“In Guatemala under Bush Sr. and Clinton ,” Nairn writes, “the U.S. backed the army’s G-2 death squad which kept comprehensive files on dissidents and then electroshocked [sic] them or cut off their hands.”
This is just one example of the gruesome list of human rights violations Nairn said were conducted by U.S.-sponsored interrogators. And Nairn said he doubts that Obama’s new executive order will abolish all, or even most, of the incidents of torture endorsed by the U.S. government.
“Obama’s executive order bans some, not all, U.S. officials from torturing but it does not ban any of them, himself included, from practicing torture oversees,” Nairn said.
Paul Craig-Roberts, political columnist and former assistant secretary of the treasury under Ronald Reagan, is equally doubtful of any success in efforts to prosecute U.S. government officials for war crimes. In his Jan. 26th Counterpunch article, Craig-Roberts said Obama himself has committed war crimes when he ordered the cross-border attacks on Pakistan that resulted in the deaths of 20 civilians, three of whom were children.
If his administration prosecuted Bush for war crimes, Craig-Roberts said, not only would Obama be hypocritical, but he would have to go against the entire ruling elite of America.
“Obama would have to take risks that opportunistic politicians never take in order for the U.S. to become a nation of law instead of a nation in which the agendas of special interests override the law,” Craig-Roberts said.
Still, when violence and brutality in American culture is so pervasive, it is naïve to expect our leaders will uphold the laws of the Geneva Conventions, those noble agreements that set the grounds of proper conduct for law-abiding nations.
John Diviney, Ph.D., professor of history and Latin American studies at Flagler College, said throughout the history of American warfare, both our citizens and our military have participated in acts of torture and unlawful aggression. Pointing to the fact that many of these instances were in response to merciless acts carried out by those we were fighting, Diviney said the problem is that Americans wish to uphold international human rights laws in the heat of battle, but their comrades might not receive the same fair treatment.
“The Geneva Conventions are there… for the humane treatment of prisoners. How do countries who’ve signed [them] treat the ones who haven’t?” Diviney said.
Diviney said while countries should uphold the agreements of the Geneva Conventions, “They are unenforceable.”
But they are only unenforceable when we live in a culture that values the ruthless acquisition of resources over respect for the peoples of the world. If the United States continues to engage in acts of aggression to uphold the business interests of millionaire CEOs, we Americans can continue to expect acts of terrorism in retaliation. And no matter how much we torture, or how many people we indiscriminately kill in the name of democracy, we cannot change the fact that we create our own enemies.
When it comes to the hypocrisy of fighting terrorism as a rogue state, I can’t help but think of a quote by the famous critic of American foreign policy, Noam Chomsky, “If the Nuremburg trials were applied today, then every postwar American president would have to be hanged.”
thanks Gargoyle for printing Cal. Bush deserves the same fate Mussolini got for his war crimes; I doubt I’m alone with this opinion.
Well articulated article. I also have a few things to add, that would only help Cal’s arguments:
First, if we had trusted the UN in the first place, and heeded its warning when it did not determine that there were any weapons of mass destruction, we would not have engaged in this ridiculous war in the first place.
Second, the US is notorious around the world for its tactics, both politically and otherwise in fielding its own interests. Don’t get me wrong: I respect my country and the freedoms for which I enjoy. However, with that freedom comes the fact that the US tromps on others to further its own agenda. For example, the US had a direct role in the causation of the Guatemalan Civil War – which is still fought today. Rigoberta Menchu (Nobel Peace Prize winner) is a product of that war, where US interests helped guerillas overturn the government which the US deemed ‘threatening’ to its own interests. Menchu’s own family was brutually raped, mutilated and murdered all in the name of ‘getting the right kind of government in Guatemala’. Check out any book on Latin American History and they ALL will tell you this. US interests have crippled Latin American farmers by supplying pesticides and other biocide agents on produce grown there causing harm to wildlife and harm to farmers. It’s simply amazing how US interests have permeated its own ‘sphere of influence’ in the name of democracy. Things we don’t even think about are a direct result of that: the so-called “Banana Republic”, the El Salvadoran civil war, the Nicaraguan war, and the desaparecidos in Argentina, believe it or not, had links to American interests. I say all this because so many are oblivious to what the US really does (I avoid the use of “America” because I am talking about North and South America with regard to the US role in many events regarding these areas). The US always has its nose where it doesn’t belong – and they say it’s for security reasons. Really, when a nation demonstrates values counter to those of the United States, they pose a threat. If we are to be a true world democracy (or other type of government structure), it is imperative that we hold our own government accountable for its actions, demand transparency, and allow other nations to have their differences with the use of diplomacy and our true vision of democracy to play a role so to help diminish (it will never eliminate) the threat of war, and the idea of dissent.
Thank you Mr Calgon for your letter and thank you to the Gargoyle for printing it!
I am committed to working towards bringing Bush and company to accountability for their abuse of power and the constitution.
A Special Prosecutor must be appointed to investigate and prosecute any and all government officials who have participated in torture and other war crimes.
These crimes are being euphemistically referred to as “abusive interrogation techniques” by such respected figures as Senator John McCain. These are euphemisms for torture. Torture is a war crime. Waterboarding is a war crime. The CIA has admitted waterboarding detainees. According to reports Vice President Cheney brazenly admitted authorizing the program that led to waterboarding, other forms of torture too numerous to list, and ultimately, the deaths by homicide of detainees.
The United States is a representative democracy. The actions of our government officials are done in the name of its citizens. War Crimes have been committed in our name. Torture has been done in our name. The only way to clear our name of war crimes is to repudiate them through the aggressive prosecution of each and every person involved to the fullest extent of the law through the appointment of a Special Prosecutor.
If nothing is done, what on earth will stop future administrations from repeating the same or worse?
Marilyn Bagdonas
Bush’s biggest crime involves taking this country to war under false pretenses. Enough evidence has arisen indicating he knew in advance that Saddam was not a threat. The NIE full report showed a low probability of Saddam attacking the US unless he was provoked. Bush’s idea was to disguise a plane as a UN aircraft and fly it over Iraq to be fired upon, thus providing an excuse. That didn’t fly, so to speak and the WMD/aluminum tubes/yellowcake lies began culminating in the mushroom cloud statements.
To date over 4200 Americans have needlessly died because George W Bush sent them to their deaths on lies. He should be tried for murder.
Joel,
Firstly, allow me to express my sincerest sympathies to you for undergoing such a terrible, despicable thing. However, I fail to understand why I should not trust the U.N. Too often do we Americans deride other countries for their crimes against humanity, but seldom do we ever admit to our own heinous actions. And yes, because this is SUPPOSED to be a republic, we ordinary citizens are just as culpable for the violations of human rights that are committed in our name as our elected officials and our military.
Secondly, if you payed attention to the World Court’s definition of human rights, you would understand, sir, that psychological tactics are as potentially disruptive as physical torture. For example, the Chinese water torture can induce lasting psychological damage, as well as injecting truth serum.
Thirdly, there is AMPLE evidence that the U.S. government has employed electroshock tactics and other heinous acts of torture and murder over the last 50 years through paramilitary groups that have been sponsored by the CIA. As I mentioned to Billy, Alan Nairn is an expert on CIA interventions in Latin America, and has written extensively on the countless cases of torture and assassinations committed in such countries as Argentina, Brazil, El Salvador, and Guatemala by U.S.-trained death squads.
Fourthly, I find it laughable that you insinuate that just because I am a college student, I have absolutely no knowledge of what does and does not constitute torture. I would ask you to please refrain from that nationalistic glorification of ignorance and disdain for intellectuals that is so pervasive amongst the Reactionary Right. I may not have ever been in the military, but I have had plenty of relatives who have been in combat, my grandfather having participated in the liberation of the concentration camp Dachau. If he were alive today, I can safely say that my grandfather would be vehemently opposed to torture tactics being used by his own government, especially after seeing the atrocities he witnessed as a young 18 year old corporal under General Patton.
I would also ask you and anyone else to refrain from employing woefully cliched comments about the military protecting my freedoms. As far as I am concerned, innocent young working class men and women being forced to kill other innocent young working class men and women for the profit of oil barrons and defense contractors does NOT constitute freedom. My father’s parents were social activists who fought tirelessly for civil and human rights for all people until their death. As far as I am concerned, people who have the courage to resist authority when they believe it to be unjust, and to hold our leaders accountable, are the TRUE heroes.
I would ask you not to employ ad hominem attacks against me involving my age. I have the utmost respect and remorse for individuals who, for whatever reason, must serve in the military, but as far as the military-industrial complex is concerned, I quote Bob Dylan:
“How much do I know
to talk out of turn?
You might say that I’m young.
You might say I’m unlearned.
But there’s one thing I know,
though I’m younger than you.
Even Jesus would never
forgive what you do.”
Defiantly yours,
Cal Colgan
Joel, interesting take on the definition of torture. You are not the first person I’ve met since the treatment of prisoners in military prisons has reached public light that claims waterboarding isn’t torture. However, the others have always manipulated the leagl definition of torture to make their arguments. I’ve also never met anyone who was actually waterboarded as a prisoner. We in Veterans For Peace have long lobbied for criminal trials for those government officials who authorized the use of torture in military prisons. Since we are alawys open to opposing points of view from those with actual first hand knowledge of an issue, feel free to contact us through the Central Florida Chapter of Vets For Peace. By the way, according to the Geneva Conventions, which are part of U.S. law, psuychological torture is torture. And yes there are many credible reports of the mistreatment of prisoners in military prisons, coming from those who were there as guards as well as former prisoners.
Congradulations and thank you to the Flagler College Gargoyle for facilitating some REAL dialogue and INFORMED opinion for a change. Also, thanks to Mr. Colgan for his very perceptive and in my opinion informed piece.
First off, don’t trust the UN. As a former Army officer, and someone who has been waterboarded, this ISN’t torture. In my opinion, breaking my leg, which I did ih high school , put me through more pain than having water poured on me. But that’s my opinion. Second, torture is physical punishment. As a college student, you wouldn’t have the first clue into what torture is. Try electric shock, being beaten with a club or even having your extremities being sliced off. There isn’t ANY evidence that those types of measures were used or any other type of inhumane acts were committed.
Billy,
While I respect your opinion, I do find it questionable that you believe that Geneva Conventions officials went into Guantanamo Bay and found absolutely no evidence of torture. I specifically stated in my article that Manfred Nowak, the UN Rapporteur on torture, investigated the detention center at Guantanamo Bay in 2006, and found it to be in clear violiation of international human rights laws.
I find your comment that “Blasting loud music and keeping terrorists awake 20 hours a day isn’t torture” to be mired by dubious reasoning. Psychological torture can have nearly, if not exactly, the same hazardous effects on the phyisical and mental state of the victim as physical torture. Sleep deprivation can lead to insanity and other severe health and mental problems. Also, I would like to remind you that sleep deprivation isn’t the only form of torture that Guantanamo interrogators have used. Water boarding and other forms of physical torture have also been used on detainees. Further, I would like to point out that to call the detainees at Guantanamo Bay “terrorists” is to arouse controversy, given the fact that many of the detainees at this facility have never been formerly charged with any crime whatsoever.
If you had read my article thoroughly, you would have realized that Guantanamo Bay is not the only facility that employs torture. There are countless bases and training facilities, both in and outside of the United States, that actively use torture tactics. While I did not name it in my article, the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation (formerly called the School Of Americas) in Ft. Benning, Georgia, is notorious for training Latin American soldiers in torture and death squad tactics to assassinate left wing politicians, union leaders, healthcare workers, and anyone else who the CIA deems poses a threat to American business interests. The official UN report claims that SOA graduates have been responsible for 75,000 deaths in its more than 40 years of existence, though records from several Latin American countries have much higher figures.
I also referenced political columnist and journalist Alan Nairn, an expert on CIA interventions in Latin America, who has specificially stated that most of the torture sponsored by the U.S. government is committed by foreign interrogators, and not American soldiers. This is why Obama’s Executive Order to “ban torture” by American interrogators will not ban 90 percent of the torture that is conducted by U.S. government-sponsored officials.
Further, I specifically stated when the U.S. government partook in the Conventions Against Torture, it said that it would either prosecute any official who tortured, or would at least extradite them to another sovereign state that would try them for torture. Given this fact, and the information provided by Professor Nowak, it seems clear that former President George W. Bush, former Vice President Dick Cheney, former Secretary of State Donald Rumsfeld, and, for that matter, former US Attorney Generals John Ashcroft and Alberto Gonzoles must at least be sent to a sovereign state for a war crimes trial. This is FACT, not opinion.
Finally, I find it interesting that you claim that my article has been hit with “Bush Derangement Syndrome.” Notwithstanding the fact that Bush and his cabinet members CLEARLY violated both international law and the U.S. Constitution by abusing their war time powers, I would like to remind you that I also took President Obama to task in this article. Therefore, my critique is not so much about the Bush Administration specifically, as it is about the tactics the American government has employed in the past, and continues to employ, under the guise of its “humanitarian” interventionist foreign policy.
I would humbly ask that you please substantiate your claims before claiming that I have taken too much liberties with the fact.
Yours defiantly,
Cal Colgan
Geneva Conventions officials went into Guantanamo Bay and found no evidence of torture. Blasting loud music and keeping terrorists awake 20 hours a day isn’t torture. Also, Obama is not bound by law to begin a criminal investigation. If that was the case, why would he say he “doesn’t want to go into the past?” Bush Derangement Syndrome has definitely hit with this article.