DISQUS

example · 11 months ago

Didn't WWII arise from the fact that 'we', or rather England and France were too tough with Germany after WWI? If there had been a "Marshall Plan" for Germany in 1918 maybe we never would have had a Hitler.

Of course, if they had enforced the disarmament agreements, then I'm sure it wouldn't have been a problem either.

lark83 · 11 months ago

Thats exactly what I was thinking.

Contrast how the American Civil War ended. Gen Lee thought he was going to be taken prisoner by Gen Grant, and who knows what else was going to befall his army. Instead, Grant said they could all go home and live free as long as they obeyed the laws of the US. Grant also fed Lee's starving army and let them keep their horses and sidearms.

Lee reportedly said, "This will do much to reconcile our peoples". For the rest of Lee's life, he never would let anybody say anything bad about Grant in his presence.

Germany we were very punitive with, and look what happened.

fl79tr · 11 months ago

I think the reference to WW1 Germany is a false comparison. "We" that is the classes with financial interests in the west were tough on the people of Germany, but not so much on the Elite. Contrast that to how WW2 ended. As for the South, it's understandable to not hold all the combat forces responsible, but as for Gen Lee, he should have been tried and received his proper sentence, which I'm guessing should have been a hanging. instead he spent the rest of his life being a kind of hero. Not having had to pay for his crimes he and his followers felt guiltless, and their only remorse was that they weren't successful in maintaining and expanding slavery and destroying the country. Because they were never punished no moral lesson was learned by them or subsequent generations, instead they masturbated in their own pride and retreated into self righteousness feeling victimized by the North. They were able to craft a narrative about themselves that made them look legendary and heroic instead of the reality which was that they were selfish evil men, traitors, and criminals. It's no stretch to say George W Bush is cut from that cloth, The rest is history.

EdNSted · 11 months ago

I'm willing to bet $100 to first taker that NO ONE, NOT EVEN A TOADY PEON from the Bush administration will ever even be indicted for their crimes while in office, let alone tried and convicted. Mr Kumbama has zero interest in persuing the prosecution of these crimes. Don't doubt for even a second that these people really are above the law.

grandma · 11 months ago

"......, and grew up to be Paul Wolfowitz and Donald Rumsfeld and Dick Cheney."

A caller on Air American earlier said Thom Harman talked about this on his show today.....that Ford pardoning Nixon so the country could heal and look ahead only set the stage for future criminal behavior by a President and Administration.......the idea that they could get away with anything . And indeed, they have....

lucky hussein · 11 months ago

we comprised on exposing the lies of vietnam and prosecuting kissinger for war crimes and we got iraq.
there are many others...

grandma · 11 months ago

CNN saying Cheney hurt his back moving boxes and will be in a wheel-chair tomorrow for the inauguration....

nicho · 11 months ago

I'd settle for a prison cell

grandma · 11 months ago

Agree

Gridlock · 11 months ago

*kicks him out into traffic*

teammarty · 11 months ago

I want what Italy got after WWII.

I want their carcasses dragged from town to town so that we can get our turn to kick and spit at them.

DeppFan · 11 months ago

Cheney arriving at tomorrow's events:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KoYlCkHdNlU

nicho · 11 months ago

We compromised with Prescott Bush and his fellow traitors in 1934 and we ended up with his grandson.

Reason0Politics1 · 11 months ago

ya...prosecution would be amazing...but the rule of law today is ZERO accountability for all...

ndtovent · 11 months ago

we compromised with reaganomics in the 80's and look where that got us.

SCLiberal · 11 months ago

EXACTLY!

mcd410x · 11 months ago

Perhaps we’ll not play frat boy cops/robbers in the Oval Office anymore. The worst part of the last 8 … the loathing of knowledge. Sick.

Knowledge is what separates us from the rest of the animal kingdom. The last 8 years, not so much.

Favorite GOP mantra: Gov’t can’t solve your problems—and we’ll screw it up completely to make sure of it!

Seriously, what in the last 8 WASN’T a handout? Giant drug bill? Iraq? The collapse of our economy/TARP? Back the SUV up to the Treasury! It’s all gotta go!

One last thing: WE DON’T TORTURE, we’re the UNITED STATES of AMERICA.

Wolfsinger · 11 months ago

Keith,

The case you made to prosecute those who torture in the name of America could not have been said better. Nor could the need to prosecute be more great. The future of our Republic depends on it. I join the chorus of millions who pray that President Obama hears you. Hears us. And heeds the call to do what is just and right. Thanks to you and everyone these past eight years who have had the courage to speak truth to power. Its a new day. The truth will out. So mote it be.

Chris · 11 months ago

Perhaps they would listen if the millions of American people who believe that those who committed crimes against our Constitution and the world (Iraq war crimes, Guantanomo, etc.be investigated, prosecuted, and punished) or we the peoplemay decide that certain laws aren't made for us either. They must go all the way to the top so that America can show in deeds that we are truly a country that follows the rule of law and not just paying lip service when it comes to those in power.

SCLiberal · 11 months ago

The most poignant and compelling case for prosecution I've ever heard. Keith is a national treasure.