Bill Richardson: Torture: Leadership Requires Accountability, All the Way to the Top

[babylonsister]

Torture: Leadership Requires Accountability, All the Way to the Top

Posted December 13, 2007 | 11:01 PM (EST)


We learned this week that the CIA destroyed tapes of American officials committing torture. The American people deserve to know whether laws were violated and whether the President was directly involved in illegal activities. Torture is a black and white moral issue. A failure to act decisively in this case will be an unacceptable failure of leadership.

Torture is un-American, it violates international law, and it is wrong. And when I am President, I will make sure that those who are responsible for torture are held accountable for their actions.

When I have secured the release of people held in captivity overseas, I have seen the fear in the eyes of captured men and women, and I have spoken with their scared families. To them, the Geneva Convention is not "quaint" or outdated; it is the bedrock institution guaranteeing that no one -- no matter how powerful -- is above the law.

And yet, in the thirteen months since winning back the House and Senate, Democrats in Congress have done too little to force this administration to stop torturing.

Perhaps one reason that Bush and Cheney have been so comfortable with torture is that they feel they will never be held accountable for their actions.

Indeed, despite consistently stating that they can't accomplish anything because they lack a filibuster-proof majority, Senate Democrats failed even to block an Attorney General who equivocated on torture.

They have taken no action on the International Criminal Court.

They have failed to appoint a Special Prosecutor to provide for high-level accountability.

They failed to restore habeas corpus.

They have done nothing to enforce the Constitution or any of our laws against torture.

This must change. If Congress won't act, then our next President must.

more...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/gov-bill-richardson/torture-leadership-requi_b_76768.html

[ingac70]

1. I wish Richardson would get more attention...

He is absolutely the most qualified candidate for Pres. running.

[kimmerspixelated]

2. I like Richardson as well.

I wish he could at least be vp. He's very capable and progressive and likeable. I hope Edwards picks him!

[emmadoggy]

3. I agree.

And I hope he is given strong consideration as a VP nominee, if/when he doesn't get the Pres. nomination. Has he expressed interest in VP?