About Us
Mission Statement
Rules of Conduct
 
Name:
Pswd:
Remember Me
Register
 

Crimes against Humanity (CHum)
Author: Raine    Date: 06/02/2008 06:36:32

Now we have Torture Ships.
The United States is operating "floating prisons" to house those arrested in its war on terror, according to human rights lawyers, who claim there has been an attempt to conceal the numbers and whereabouts of detainees.

Details of ships where detainees have been held and sites allegedly being used in countries across the world have been compiled as the debate over detention without trial intensifies on both sides of the Atlantic. The US government was yesterday urged to list the names and whereabouts of all those detained.

Information about the operation of prison ships has emerged through a number of sources, including statements from the US military, the Council of Europe and related parliamentary bodies, and the testimonies of prisoners.

The analysis, due to be published this year by the human rights organisation Reprieve, also claims there have been more than 200 new cases of rendition since 2006, when President George Bush declared that the practice had stopped.
[...]
According to research carried out by Reprieve, the US may have used as many as 17 ships as "floating prisons" since 2001. Detainees are interrogated aboard the vessels and then rendered to other, often undisclosed, locations, it is claimed.

Since 2001. Since the *Resident told us that we longer use rendition, it is even more troubling that 200 cases were alegedly carried out. How are these not crimes against humanity?
In 2002, the International Criminal Court (ICC) was established in The Hague (Netherlands) and the Rome Statute provides for the ICC to have jurisdiction over genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. The definition of what is a "crime against humanity" for ICC proceedings has significantly broadened from its original legal definition or that used by the UN,[1] and Article 7 of the treaty stated that:
For the purpose of this Statute, "crime against humanity" means any of the following acts when committed as part of a widespread or systematic attack directed against any civilian population, with knowledge of the attack:
    Murder;

    Extermination;

    Enslavement;

    Deportation or forcible transfer of population;

    Imprisonment or other severe deprivation of physical liberty in violation of fundamental rules of international law;

    Torture;

    Rape, sexual slavery, enforced prostitution, forced pregnancy, enforced sterilization, or any other form of sexual violence of comparable gravity;

    Persecution against any identifiable group or collectivity on political, racial, national, ethnic, cultural, religious, gender as defined in paragraph 3, or other grounds that are universally recognized as impermissible under international law, in connection with any act referred to in this paragraph or any crime within the jurisdiction of the Court;

    Enforced disappearance of persons;

    The crime of apartheid;

    Other inhumane acts of a similar character intentionally causing great suffering, or serious injury to body or to mental or physical health
.
Source.

In case anyone forgot, a few years ago, we learned that America was practicing extraordinary rendition. It is also known as "torture by proxy". In 2006, the report that stunned so many people was that we renditioned one hundred people. Did you get that?

100.

Can we go back, for a minute? Did you see where I mentioned that since 2006 we did this to 200 people? Is the scale being put into place?
A little background...
A Canadian citizen told his story about what happened to him. America sent him to Syria -- he was tortured. A Canadian. oh, and btw... the US picked him up at Kennedy Airport.
Over the past 7 years there have been many stories like this. Here is another, from 2004.

I could go on. I am tempted to go on. Tempted because I think at the time when these terrible atrocities were happening, many of my fellow Americans were at the height of a patriotic fervour. Even in 2004, many were still very in shock and distraught about the events of 9/11. *ush was still a rather popular man, and many did not want to know or listen to those that would speak out against him. Are they ready to listen now? In 2006, Bush said we do not practice extraordinary rendition.

Well, now I want people to listen. Here we are in 2008, and today we are learning that this administration has torture SHIPS. Boats. BIG ass Boats... and we are accused of keeping these people in the hulls. We interrogated them on board and then 'rendered' them to undisclosed locations. PBS told us ALL about it last year.
Oh, and Blackwater helped transport *suspects* as well...

Nice, huh? You know, I would like to know if anyone kept a list of ALL the people on these ships. it would be really easy for a person to suddenly become chum. Ooopsie, a suspect died, the body can now be given a burial at sea. Yes, my snark is at full tilt right now.

It's easier to make chum than anything to put into an oven. I say this to inflame, yes, but to also get people to understand that this is not a holocaust or a genocide, but this is a beginning of a terrible atrocity of a people. I use 'beginning' lightly as well... I think we are actually in full bore.

In light of that snark, I would like to know who implemented this policy? Is it like Abu Ghraib, a policy where we never really get the full story about who gave those commands? You can't blame a few bad apples on this one, not when you have SHIPS, Amphibious Assault vehicles and the like carrying out these practices. This administration has used (perhaps 'forced' would be a better word) our fine men and women who volunteered to serve our nation with honour, to carry out war crimes and atrocities that make me cry for our nation.

This administration has been found guilty of crimes against humanity once. It's time that we NOW do something about it, for real. Do you hear me, Speaker Pelosi? Do you think for one minute that we are treating prisoners better on a boat than we did at Abu Grahib, when we are still trying to say that waterboarding is a legal practice? The bigger question is WHY we are allowing these practices to continue. Why? Just how far can this administration actually bend the law? It seems as though once they do, they know they can break it because you took impeachment off the table.

Ms. Pelosi, don't you get it?

I think it is time for this man to be charged with crimes against humanity. At one point in time we could have blamed Rummy, but he has been gone since 11/06... you can't keep blaming this on him. Not when we are learning that AFTER he left office we increased it by about 100%. 100 incidents BEFORE 2006, 200 since (I may be a bit conservative in my math).

The President is our nation's leader... it is time for him to take responsibility for his actions. AND, if they were not his actions, he needs to come clean. At that point he needs to held accountable. If he cannot, we need a house speaker who will. This is not about a blowjob, This is not about politics, or positioning for the '08 elections... this is about EVERYTHING this nation was built upon.

How about this... we forget about Iraq with all those bogeymen terrorists and start being as concerned about this president and our own country and Constitution, THEN we worry about the bad guys over there? In other words: let's clean up our own house before we start telling everyone else how to run theirs. The USA has some serious cleaning up to do.

These are crimes against humanity. Either we hold our own accountable or the world will truly judge this administration. The only other thought is that this administration is trying to redefine *Humanity*... that is a scary thought. We could all be chum then, you know.

:peace: and :heart:
Raine

 

305 comments (Latest Comment: 06/03/2008 07:24:01 by livingonli)
   Perma Link

Share This!

Furl it!
Spurl
NewsVine
Reddit
Technorati

Add a Comment

Please login to add a comment...


Comments:

Order comments Newest to Oldest  Refresh Comments

Comment by Random on 06/02/2008 12:22:35
I think i'm going to skip Steph's live blog today...

great post Raine >< just give me a minute or two to finish readin it.

Comment by Shane-O on 06/02/2008 12:44:47
Good move, Random. There are two new trolls (I think) over there -



I admit - so often, I want to get into it with them - but that would violate my personal rule of not engaging hecklers...



Thankfully there a lot of great SM fans over there that are willing to take the stress of it.

Comment by Random on 06/02/2008 12:47:55
Hm...joy, good reason to get out, what they going on about?

Comment by Will in Chicago on 06/02/2008 12:50:05
Raine, an excellent if troubling post. I read the Guardian story while working on the Daily Headlines last night. I was sickened.



In war, one of the first things that is done by many governments is to redefine the enemy as something less human than one's own side and allies. While this is wrong, what has been done with my tax dollars is far worse: torture of people and practices that we rightfully condemned in the Nuremberg war crimes trials.



Here is some news:



Senator Kennedy to have brain surgery this morning



The UNN Daily Headlines are up.



While much of the news today is distressing, let us not lose faith in our ability to bring about positive change. Even in humanity's darkest hours, there were those who were willing to shine a light on the truth and take a stand. May their courage and honesty inspire us in our own times.

Comment by Shane-O on 06/02/2008 12:50:08
Quote by Random:

Hm...joy, good reason to get out, what they going on about?




The "unfairness" of the DNC R&BL Committee's Saturday decision.



Comment by Random on 06/02/2008 12:51:45
Quote by Shane-O:

Quote by Random:

Hm...joy, good reason to get out, what they going on about?




The "unfairness" of the DNC R&BL Committee's Saturday decision.



well...yeah, no comment.



Comment by m-hadley on 06/02/2008 12:53:22
Mornin' Everybody :coffee:

I'm just blowing through to say hey this Monday morning - gotta work today. Hey Raine, Random, Shane-0 :D

Cheers,

mfaye

Comment by Will in Chicago on 06/02/2008 12:55:46
You may also want to take a look at the following piece in Vanity Fair:



Bubba Trouble The Comeback Id.

Comment by Shane-O on 06/02/2008 12:57:08
Mornin' Faye - in case you didn't get my "thank you" via yesterday's blog - THANK YOU! -- the clip I needed was indeed in the mp3's you sent - and it came in very handy.

Comment by Shane-O on 06/02/2008 12:58:57
Quote by Random:

Quote by Shane-O:

Quote by Random:

Hm...joy, good reason to get out, what they going on about?




The "unfairness" of the DNC R&BL Committee's Saturday decision.



well...yeah, no comment.





Yeah, well there are PLENTY of comments over there.



And some worry about unifying the party... how silly



Comment by Random on 06/02/2008 13:05:47
Quote by Shane-O:

Quote by Random:

Quote by Shane-O:

Quote by Random:

Hm...joy, good reason to get out, what they going on about?




The "unfairness" of the DNC R&BL Committee's Saturday decision.



well...yeah, no comment.





Yeah, well there are PLENTY of comments over there.



And some worry about unifying the party... how silly



maybe i'll go take a peek....

Comment by velveeta jones on 06/02/2008 13:07:25
Gads! I skimmed this story this morning in my morning paper (HuffPo). This is horrifying. Yes, lets just detain, question then dump at sea our supposed enemies. Whatever happened to trial and conviction? Its becoming a quaint remembrance.



In the 70's Argentina used to drop political prisoners into the sea from helicopters.



:kickcan:

Comment by clintster on 06/02/2008 13:09:46
Oh my God, Harriet, get a grip. What a way to start the show. Happy Mondee, everybody.

Comment by Raine on 06/02/2008 13:11:25
Good morning!







Comment by Raine on 06/02/2008 13:17:46
holy crap. Neil boortz is such an idiot.

Comment by velveeta jones on 06/02/2008 13:19:25
This should cheer everybody up. This is Barack holding "Baby" a dog rescued from a puppy mill that will be featured in a book coming out this week A Rare Breed of Love. Baby lost a leg due to cage confinement and had her vocal cords cut so the owners of the mill wouldn't have to listen to her cry. The book will have pictures of her with celebs like Moby, Lindsay Lohan, Amy Sedaris and this guy:



http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q151/velveeta_jones/people/barackandbaby.jpg


Comment by jd_in_ny on 06/02/2008 13:21:27
good morning!

Comment by Raine on 06/02/2008 13:23:34
I feel all warm and fuzzy now!

Comment by BobR on 06/02/2008 13:24:07
Quote by Raine:

holy crap. Neil boortz is such an idiot.


Doing Atlanta proud... :rolleyes2:



Morning, folks... :coffee:

Comment by Random on 06/02/2008 13:26:40
*returns* I...think i'll stay here today.

Comment by clintster on 06/02/2008 13:27:51
Quote by velveeta jones:

This should cheer everybody up. This is Barack holding "Baby" a dog rescued from a puppy mill that will be featured in a book coming out this week A Rare Breed of Love. Baby lost a leg due to cage confinement and had her vocal cords cut so the owners of the mill wouldn't have to listen to her cry. The book will have pictures of her with celebs like Moby, Lindsay Lohan, Amy Sedaris and this guy:



http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q151/velveeta_jones/people/barackandbaby.jpg




Nice photo! I'll have to look for the book when it comes out. :)

Comment by Raine on 06/02/2008 13:29:32
Quote by will in chicago:

You may also want to take a look at the following piece in Vanity Fair:



Bubba Trouble The Comeback Id.
I have not read the article yet, but I have been reading This from Politico...Basically, the gist of it is that a former Clinton Employee has a husband who wrote the article and is therefore it was unfair and Biased.



To which I reply... Geroge Stephanopoulas ...anyone? Bueller? Bueller?

Comment by Raine on 06/02/2008 13:30:51
Quote by will in chicago:

Raine, an excellent if troubling post. I read the Guardian story while working on the Daily Headlines last night. I was sickened.



In war, one of the first things that is done by many governments is to redefine the enemy as something less human than one's own side and allies. While this is wrong, what has been done with my tax dollars is far worse: torture of people and practices that we rightfully condemned in the Nuremberg war crimes trials.



Here is some news:



Senator Kennedy to have brain surgery this morning



The UNN Daily Headlines are up.



While much of the news today is distressing, let us not lose faith in our ability to bring about positive change. Even in humanity's darkest hours, there were those who were willing to shine a light on the truth and take a stand. May their courage and honesty inspire us in our own times.
I will light a candle for the Senator.



Comment by Will in Chicago on 06/02/2008 13:35:37
Quote by Raine:

Quote by will in chicago:

You may also want to take a look at the following piece in Vanity Fair:



Bubba Trouble The Comeback Id.
I have not read the article yet, but I have been reading This from Politico...Basically, the gist of it is that a former Clinton Employee has a husband who wrote the article and is therefore it was unfair and Biased.



To which I reply... Geroge Stephanopoulas ...anyone? Bueller? Bueller?






While I do use the Politico in the Daily Headlines, I take it with a grain or two of salt.



Stephanopoulos worked for Clinton, and I think that there is a huge difference.

Comment by clintster on 06/02/2008 13:37:42
Quote by Random:

*returns* I...think i'll stay here today.




Good call, Random. Apparently an army of Harriets are being sent out to convince us that Hillary should be the nominee, 'cause Obama is, ummm...



I'm not sure what their thinking is on that. Anyway, just hang here and have fun.



Comment by Raine on 06/02/2008 13:38:30
Comment by jd_in_ny on 06/02/2008 13:40:49
He can't win because we won't vote for him because he can't win!!!!!!

/crazy.

Comment by Random on 06/02/2008 13:41:24
Quote by clintster:

Quote by Random:

*returns* I...think i'll stay here today.




Good call, Random. Apparently an army of Harriets are being sent out to convince us that Hillary should be the nominee, 'cause Obama is, ummm...



I'm not sure what their thinking is on that. Anyway, just hang here and have fun.



I'm curious, who there do you consider a Troll?

Comment by Shane-O on 06/02/2008 13:42:43
Correct me if I'm wrong - but didn't Obama beat a few "white men" too?

Comment by Raine on 06/02/2008 13:45:34
Harriet is Kyle.



I am afraid to even peak at the SMS blog this morning.

Comment by Raine on 06/02/2008 13:47:00
Quote by Shane-O:

Correct me if I'm wrong - but didn't Obama beat a few "white men" too?
Those were those not hard working white americans in states like Iowa, silly.



Comment by m-hadley on 06/02/2008 13:48:07
Quote by Shane-O:

Mornin' Faye - in case you didn't get my "thank you" via yesterday's blog - THANK YOU! -- the clip I needed was indeed in the mp3's you sent - and it came in very handy.




Shane-O,

Glad I could help out - I do soooo love your work Anything to assist a fellow StephHead Back to work...

Cheers,

mfaye

Comment by Scoopster on 06/02/2008 13:51:55
Morning all! I trust your weekends were all productive and relaxing..



and wtf @ naval ships being used as floating prisons?! Is this the "logical" step between torture at Gitmo and extraordinary renditioning?!

Comment by shelaghc on 06/02/2008 13:54:14
Yesterday was a sad day.



http://www.samsedershow.tv/images/final1.jpg


http://www.samsedershow.tv/images/final.jpg






Comment by Raine on 06/02/2008 13:57:26
RIP, Yves. I loved his fashion design.







Comment by wickedpam on 06/02/2008 13:57:49
Morning :hug:

Comment by starling310 on 06/02/2008 14:02:28




vacation is over.





Comment by wickedpam on 06/02/2008 14:03:56
Big Universal fire and while the clocktower went up in flames Bruce the shark from JAWS still lives :p

Comment by Scoopster on 06/02/2008 14:06:54
Comment by Raine on 06/02/2008 14:11:44
HEY!!! It occurs to me that HArriet might be a bitter voter for HRC... :P

Comment by Raine on 06/02/2008 14:21:59
Quote by starling310:





vacation is over.



Welcome back :star:ling! I hope you found time to relax and chill!



Comment by Raine on 06/02/2008 14:23:32
:lol: he is a *moran* and a *looser*.



Comment by starling310 on 06/02/2008 14:23:44
Miss Raine. Howdy doo!?



I took the week to refinish my horrible, awful, absolutely depressing kitchen cabinets. The bottom half still isn't done but that should go more quickly!





Comment by Random on 06/02/2008 14:26:20
Random has returned

Comment by Raine on 06/02/2008 14:27:55
Oh lord... they WAY he won?!?!



TRanslation: HArriet and Donnie both seem to think that Barack should have known his place, and waited his turn.



And Harriet .... she sounds like she smokes Road flares and drinks Gin Ricky's

Comment by livingonli on 06/02/2008 14:28:38
A belated good morning.



I think I need to put the A/C back in on my days off. When it's warm, the fan really doesn't help me sleep.



So, Bush is turning this country into Pinochet's Chile where we use ships instead of soccer fields. And no one wants to impeach the bastard.

Comment by BobR on 06/02/2008 14:29:16
Donnie: She wouldn't have been called out by the media if she hadn't used such despicable campaign tactics. Also: Obama is winning because he won more pledged delegates, and because he ran a better campaign (he targeted areas where he could maximize his delegate count).



Comment by livingonli on 06/02/2008 14:29:27
I think Mark in Casper got his marching orders from the GOP.

Comment by starling310 on 06/02/2008 14:29:31
OMG...speaking of Fran Drescher, I had insomnia last night and was watching old episodes of Fame on hulu.com and did you all know that Fran was on it?!?!?

I was sitting there and said, out loud to myself, "Hey! That's Fran Drescher!"



aaaaanyway.....

Comment by starling310 on 06/02/2008 14:32:55
Quote by Raine:

Oh lord... they WAY he won?!?!



TRanslation: HArriet and Donnie both seem to think that Barack should have known his place, and waited his turn.



And Harriet .... she sounds like she smokes Road flares and drinks Gin Ricky's




Hey...I smoke road flares and drink Gin Rickys. What are you trying to say? :waiting: