Electric Politics | Sic Semper Tyrannis

"Kidnapping people and torturing them in secret—however tempting the short-term gain may appear to be—is what criminals do, not democratic governments," said Council of Europe President Rene van der Linden, reacting to the Tyrant's disclosure of secret prisons. A good deal has been written about the disclosure already: it resolved a debate within the administration; it's an indication the Tyrant is launching a new offensive against his critics; it's a concession to the Geneva conventions; it's a half-step for human rights advocates; pentagon lawyers are still not satisfied. To be honest, I don't have a very clear notion what the Tyrant is up to, and I wish I had an inside track on how the decision was made.

What does seem clear to me is two things: in Bush's recent appearances I detect an element of fear, skittishness, that seems unusual or uncharacteristic. Perhaps of potential criminal prosecution? Note the recent news that Pinochet would seem now to be liable for prosecution on human rights abuses. And, secondly, it's obvious that the Tyrant has no clue (or interest) regarding how his disclosure affects his European co-conspirators. But he has, indeed, stirred up a hornet's nest. Among other pending questions: which governments will become the designated European fall guys? And are they likely to turn state's evidence? Not impossible or unlikely, given a punishment of onerous EU sanctions. In short, this all reeks of bricolage—less a new master plan or political stratagem than a panicky scramble to hide in the dark.



Home FAQ Contact Archive EP Store EP Alerts © 2012 ElectricPolitics	Sic Semper Tyrannis "Kidnapping people and torturing them in secret—however tempting the short-term gain may appear to be—is what criminals do, not democratic governments," said Council of Europe President Rene van der Linden, reacting to the Tyrant's disclosure of secret prisons. A good deal has been written about the disclosure already: it resolved a debate within the administration; it's an indication the Tyrant is launching a new offensive against his critics; it's a concession to the Geneva conventions; it's a half-step for human rights advocates; pentagon lawyers are still not satisfied. To be honest, I don't have a very clear notion what the Tyrant is up to, and I wish I had an inside track on how the decision was made. What does seem clear to me is two things: in Bush's recent appearances I detect an element of fear, skittishness, that seems unusual or uncharacteristic. Perhaps of potential criminal prosecution? Note the recent news that Pinochet would seem now to be liable for prosecution on human rights abuses. And, secondly, it's obvious that the Tyrant has no clue (or interest) regarding how his disclosure affects his European co-conspirators. But he has, indeed, stirred up a hornet's nest. Among other pending questions: which governments will become the designated European fall guys? And are they likely to turn state's evidence? Not impossible or unlikely, given a punishment of onerous EU sanctions. In short, this all reeks of bricolage—less a new master plan or political stratagem than a panicky scramble to hide in the dark. Posted by George Kenney on September 10, 2006 12:33 PM « The Agony And The Ecstasy \| Main \| 9/11, Treason, and Common Sense » Share this post: Leave a comment Name Email Address URL Remember personal info? Comments (You may use HTML tags for style)

Sic Semper Tyrannis

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