After four days of voting and 33 ballots, the nations that have ratified the treaty establishing the new International Criminal Court finished choosing 18 judges who will preside over cases of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes. The number of women is unprecedented for an international court. -------> snip <------- The United States is vehemently opposed to the court, objecting to the possibility that Americans could be subject to its jurisdiction even if it is not a party to the pact. Washington argues that the court could be used for frivolous or politically motivated prosecutions, especially of American troops. -------> snip <------- Full Article
US above the law! It is quite interesting and I think it says a lot about our American arrogance so well known across the globe. Over 70 countries were supportive of the ICC, in fact many of those countries are run by questionable types of Governments, yet most realized the necessity of an international criminal court with sets of international laws for which all countries will be accounted for. Yet the US believes that US military, including US in blue-helmets should be exempted from such a court. …The typical “above the law” US mentality! Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!
I wouldn't sat it is 'typical' US arrogance. I believe the Bush administration believes that as the self-appointed policeman of the world, states might constantly try and bring charges against US troops. Stupid, I agree. However, not typical. The Clinton administration I believe supported it and would have signed it, but Bush rescinded that tacit US approval. However, there is a movement in the US pushing for US ratification of the ICC, the USAforICC organization. All US citizens can show their support for it below by sending an e-mail to your representatives. http://www.usaforicc.org/
Critics, mostly European, of U.S. `unilateralism'' are having another conniption, this time over U.S. skepticism about the International Criminal Court.
The U.S. does have some founded fear in the court being used for political purposes. (Duh, it's politics) Many nations have spoken against or for another nation/people in order to make gains for themselves. We need not look further than the French.
Considering the war criminals in this country .... Given the number of war criminals the US is harboring, I can understand why the Bush administration withdrew from the ICC. :m:, Tiassa Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!
I searched for an hour trying to find a descent reason for withdrawing and I could not find one. I think we just dont want an authority higher than us.
Certainly not an authority that answers to no one but itself and makes up the rules as it goes: precisely that which others accuse the US of perpetrating on the world. Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!
ICC has no power to "make up rules as it goes". ICC is conceived to uphold the most basic and universal limits on human behavior, and apply them to politicians, yes and in some cases to soldiers. The Busheviks simply want the international criminals whom they direct or embody to do their work unimpeded. Like in personal behavior, you can get a good idea of someone's outlook if you know who s/he hangs out with. Those nations standing "shoulder-to-shoulder" (as Busheviks like to say) with the United States in opposition to the ICC are: China, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Libya and Sudan What's that tell you? Want to learn more? http://www.iccnow.org/Introduction.html
Very good. Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image! *cough* Most of them sit on the U.N. too. Whooey. And I fail to see why it is necessary to create an international criminal court. Well, law is defined as "a rule of conduct or action prescribed or formally recognized as binding or enforced by a controlling authority" And among sovereign nations, there is no controlling authority, and hence no laws. Neither will I support such an organization. I'd rather not thank you very much. We don't want to um, stick our noses in other countries' businesses now do we? I've searched for hours trying to find a decent reason for signing it and I could not find one. So is China, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Libya, and Sudan all evil now?
Jarrek Of course you don't. You have the US to do the job for you. Are you saying you now oppose the War on the basis that the USA is the defacto controlling authority over the sovereign nation of Iraq? Or are you just a little mixed up? Try thinking harder. Dee Cee
2 good reasons for having the ICC.... The US & Israel have killed more civilians in the past 35 years than all of Arab terrorism in the past 100 years added together! Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image! TheAZCowBoy,
So, let me get this straight, a court, that applies to all, that is responsible for prosecuting crimes against humanity, genocide, and war crimes, is a bad idea? Is this because noone *coughUScough* can veto a deciscion? So that a punishment, once decided, will actually have to be enforced?? This is international criminal law, if the evidence isn't there, a conviction cannot happen. The only way parties can be prosecuted, is if one of the parties involved brings the case before the ICC or a case is referred from the UN security council. My god, international justice not run by the United States of America. What a horrible idea!!
America would settle out of courtPlease Register or Log in to view the hidden image! Don't think we'll see the Chimp take the stand anytime soon! Dream on. Dee Cee
So, what you ICC supporters are saying is: neither the US, nor anyone else, has the Democratic right to decline participation in, and subjugation to, the ICC? That just because the ICC exists for some that it must exist for all, with no freedom of self-determination for anyone? How fascist can you get?
Good point Mr. G. Keep in mind that we're not prohibiting other countries from joining the ICC. What is wrong with that? Let's compare that. You dislike someone quite a bit. One night, he is murdered and some evidence points your way. You have a solid alibi though. The jury panel is made up of the victim's family and friends who all HATE you with a passion, has previously sent you death threads, and has even planted a bomb in your car that destroyed your car when it exploded (you were hurt, but nothing fatal). The judge is a coke addict. Would you like that?
So, are you trying to say, Jerrek, that everyone on the ICC hates the US? You are trying to block people from joining the ICC by denying them aid, and are trying to bully countries into signing impunity agreements with you, including ICC member states.
Mr. G misses the "G" spot, LOL! TAC: "Subjugation to justice, whaaaaaaaaa?!" Calling the world community "fascist, huh?!" You sound like Slob Milosevic on the witness stand at the Hague just a few months ago! Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image! Did I hear you right Bubba, "Fascist?" You sound like the Nazi's at Nuremberg, "arrogant to the end!" Until the US allows the world community to "help" set the standards in International justice--and quits f*****g around with the nations of the world, like the obnoxious bully that it has become as its head has grown bigger and bigger, ( Could Ceasar's Rome have been any worse? ) it can expect to follow the footsteps of that 1/2 acre of ZioNazi hell, it continous to support "against the wishes and logic of world opinion" then it runs the danger of being called--and treated like--the Israeli "pariah" it emmulates by its arrogant behavior, as we sit here and debate and while the 800 lb. gorilla proceeds to destroy an impotent little nation ( Iraq ) without approval or the concurrence of the world community ( i. e. the UN ). If justice is to prevail throughout all civilized countries of the planet without the danger and/or fear of the scurrilous US veto--and that obnoxious US habit of interfering with the ebb and flow of world justice--the US 800 lb. gorilla has to be put "back in its cage." Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image! After all, JUSTICE WASN'T INVENTED IN AMERICA! Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image! TheAZCowBoy,
Why is it that the same people who support economic globalization, are against political and legal globalization? We should all treat people equally, and not based on ethnic, religious or nationalistic bias. Nationalists are truly harmful to society. An international court is a GOOD thing. It holds people responsible for thier actions. Only the guilty have anything to fear, and if your guilty, and don't wish to join for that reason, then you'll get no sympathy from me, and I'll keep on pushing for you to be brought to justice. No one is above the collective will of humanity.
