17 April 2009

Spain backs down on U.S. torture indictments

Yesterday I wrote that Spain was considering issuing indictments against the "Bush Six", the architects of the last administration's pro-torture policy.

While those indictments (were they to materialize) would likely never have led to any jail time for the bad guys, it would have been nice to have it all on record.

Sadly, however, that is apparently not to be.

According to the BBC, Spain's attorney general has rejected the move. Apparently, AG Candido Conde-Pumpido said the case had "no merit" since no members of Bush's torture team were present when the alleged abuses took place.

So, in other words:

Little Lynndie England can be prosecuted, convicted, and imprisoned for participating the Bush administration's torture free-for-all, although she may have just been following orders (and, granted, she appeared to be enjoying it way too much).

But those who gave her the green light to do so can remain free and continue to live their lives with impunity.

This appears to be the position of the Spanish court.

And, sadly, this appears to be the position of the Obama administration and the 111th Congress (with the exception of a few brave and heroic patriots who are calling for justice against all odds).

Apparently, in today's America and today's world, some powerful and well-connected people can still remain above the law.

No change here that I can believe in.

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