Bush's support for death penalty opens rift with UK

[Joanne98]

Bush's support for death penalty opens rift with UK
By Anne Penketh, Diplomatic Editor
Published: 28 December 2006

The Bush administration welcomed the confirmation of the death penalty against Saddam Hussein, reopening the divide with the European Union and the United Nations, which are opposed to execution.

Human rights groups, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, said Saddam should not be hanged for crimes against humanity because his trial had been flawed and was marred by political interference by the Iraqi government.

A spokeswoman for Amnesty said: "We are against the death penalty as a matter of principle but particularly in this case because it comes after a flawed trial."

Richard Dicker, director of the International Justice Programme at Human Rights Watch, said: "Imposing the death penalty, indefensible in any case, is especially wrong after such unfair proceedings. That a judicial decision was first announced by Iraq's National Security Adviser underlines the political interference that marred Saddam Hussein's trial."

Iraq's US-appointed interim government reinstated the death penalty in August 2004, causing friction with its coalition partner, Britain. The former top British representative in Iraq, Sir Jeremy Greenstock, said the UK would not participate in a tribunal or legal process that could lead to execution.

http://news.independent.co.uk/world/politics/article2108214.ece

[Turbineguy]

1. Bush's liking for

the death penalty is well known and has been for many years.

It's really nice for him, he does not actually have to do the distasteful part, just the thumb down bit.

[ThsMchneKilsFascists]

2. From Tucker Carlson's 1999 Talk magazine interview with *, a.k.a.The Texecutioner:

In the weeks before the execution, Bush says, a number of protesters came to Austin to demand clemency for Karla Faye Tucker. "Did you meet with any of them?" I ask. Bush whips around and stares at me. "No, I didn't meet with any of them," he snaps, as though I've just asked the dumbest, most offensive question ever posed. "I didn't meet with Larry King either when he came down for it. I watched his interview with Tucker, though. He asked her real difficult questions like, 'What would you say to Governor Bush?'" "What was her answer?" I wonder. "'Please,'" Bush whimpers, his lips pursed in mock desperation, "'don't kill me.'" I must look shocked — ridiculing the pleas of a condemned prisoner who has since been executed seems odd and cruel — because he immediately stops smirking.

[Double T]

3. bush has No conscience, No remorse and NO soul.............

torturing and killing amphibians was only the beginning of HIS long, ongoing track record. The EU is civilized, unlike the barbarians of the USA.

[Phredicles]

4. Tony Blair had hoped that by backing Bush on Iraq the UK would

gain a measure of influence over US policy on the environment and other such considerations where the US and UK have differed. I wonder if he realizes yet what a pathetic "bargain" he struck. He and Colin Powell could start a trans-Atlantic "Sold Our Souls for NOTHING" club.

[ThsMchneKilsFascists]

5. Blair must have studied Chamberlain

Appeasement is a risky business

[TabulaRasa]

6. No he didn't

He's as much of a rat as his buddy. Just like Bush, he has no conscience or decency. He didn't "sell" anything.