Petraeus Says U.S. Violated Geneva Conventions - What Will Cheney and Rush Say?

A couple of days ago, I chronicled the quickening departure of some big military names from the Republican party, those concerned about the party moving even farther to the right a number of issues, including torture. What struck me at the time is that General David Petraeus came out against torture and for closing Guantanamo.

I was stunned, however, when he admitted today that the United States has violated the Geneva Conventions. Without saying specifically how we did (though it doesn't take much imagination to figure it out), Petraeus said on FOX News:

Question: So is sending this signal that we're not going to use these kind of techniques anymore, what kind of impact does this have on people who do us harm in the field that you operate in?

Gen. Petraeus: Well, actually what I would ask is, "Does that not take away from our enemies a tool which again have beaten us around the head and shoulders in the court of public opinion?" When we have taken steps that have violated the Geneva Conventions we rightly have been criticized, so as we move forward I think it's important to again live our values, to live the agreements that we have made in the international justice arena and to practice those.

This fits in very well with an explosive new video put out by VoteVets.org today, in which Jay Bagwell, who worked in counterintelligence in Afghanistan not only argues against torture, but says that detainees were brought in who had pamphlets portraying Guantanamo in them.

One has to wonder what Dick Cheney, Rush Limbaugh, and their crowd will say to this? In the past, General Petraeus could do and say no wrong. Now, he is not only saying torture does not work, but is saying that what the right fringe believes are only "enhanced techniques" violated international law.

As Jay Bagwell in our video says so well, "The Unites States can't be a beacon of freedom and human rights and the value of law while we ignore international law."

Now, we can say without a doubt that General David Petraeus agrees.

Mr. Cheney? Rush? What do you say to that?

Comments

[maumeeone]

Right-wingnuts need to be exposed for what they really are - pantywaist cowards! They're not real patriots, or even men for that matter. They just claim to be on TV...Chickenhawks, the lot of them! Put them in sack and shake them up and you still couldn't find a pair amongst them!

[PoliticalOutlaw]

Well Rush certainly can't accuse him of being a racist - like he did Colin Powell.

[skorpeo]

this very well might be the other shoe dropping. i would like to see limabugh, rove, cheney, beck, and hannity, who combined have not spent a day in uniform, take a swipe at an active duty general.....

[Clayton139]

Well said !!!

[jimbeaux1961]

That's never stopped them before; just watch.

[DrLogic]

They will say he isn't a real soldier, that he's being forced to say such things by Obama's socialist agenda, and they will question his patriotism.

Mark my words...

[markhas]

I just wanna see the cheney administration in irons and hauled off to the Hague for convition of their crimes agains humanity. If the Death penality is availabe I'd support it for the this group. Using the same rope used for Saddam Hussain would be approiate.

[Matthew Benzor 1]

The republicans always say listen to the Generals.We"ll I say OK they have spoken and said Bush and Cheney dictatorship broke the law

[panamarine]

The General is making it clear that HE as the Field Commander obeyed the Geneva Convention laws against torture in any form by ordering his underlings to follow the Army Field Manual against this. YET the COMMANDER IN CHIEF and his Vice bully and HATCHET MAN CHENNEY go "their" t people to MAKE UP laws on the fly to justify this, therefore overriding the Field Commander Petraueus. The CIA had to do what they did BECAUSE it was ORDERED that they do, citing the new law on the books that justified this. So I think that the GENERAL had a WTF moment(s) with this...he definately was in a catch -22 position. CHENNEY twisted the CIA's arm to do the dirty deed and everybody else was told to Shut the F up. End of Story.

[pissdoffinohio]

"Now, he is not only saying torture does not work, but is saying that what the right fringe believes are only "enhanced techniques" violated international law."

YA THINK???

[blairtone]

I wonder which democrap riding he wants to run in

[deegee99]

Your sentence makes no sense! Except we know you just dismiss anyone who doesn't agree with the Bush Regime.

[KUVVY]

Only a total idiot would not know what torture is, even as children we always knew when our games became too cruel and went beyond the limit. Those who conducted the interrogations or the guards in whose custody the torturee's happened to end up knew exactly when they crossed the line. The people in charge knew what was going on. Its nice that Gen P. finally may acknowledge that something is not quite kosher but he is a little late. Patreaus may be trying to cover his ass. Most people knew long ago that what was going on in our name in Iraq was inhuman and un American. Don't need the good Generals sudden enlightenment

[gotsmarter]

Thank you for this article and video from two reputable people who have experience and who understand our responsibilities regarding the Geneva Convention. I thank these two people for stepping up and doing the right thing.

[unhipcat]

Neither rush nor cheney is a lawyer.
They both used deferments (cheney multiple times) to avoid military service.
I don't consider either is a legitimate source on what would constitute torture.

[maumeeone]

Unfortunately there are plenty of dittoheads who are gullible enough to follow those cowards. I just don't know what it would take for them to ever see the light.

[Senzasord]

What Cheney and Limbaugh say about anything is totally irrelevant.
Far more important is what is President Obama going to say, and even more important than that is what is he going to do about it.

[springsm]

Exactly, I wish the media would get off the obsession they have for Limbaugh and Cheney..they are not important in any of this. What IS Obama going to do about this. I would hate that Europe has to do our business for us...and they are bubbling.

[Colorado Bobby]

We must remember that our President is a chess master. It is not the job of the executive branch to prosecute criminals, but rather of the Department of Justice. By staying above the fray, our president can not be criticized for what the law does. This will maintain the rule of law, while disallowing the GOP loonies from "blaming Obama" for anything.

Meanwhile, those in W's administration, including Cheney and W hisself who broke the law, should be charged with crimes, tried publicly, and punished if indicated. I would rather that W be found GUILTY, then receive a presidential pardon, making Obama the hero, than letting him off scott free.

[pk4obama]

Add Hannity and Billo to your list.....and all who are whats left of the Republican Party.

[TruthmongerII]

Rush will say, "This product of affirmative action with a latin name, this Betrayus..is clearly being threatened by the Socialist Obama Administration into saying this garbage but let us be very clear: the current general is a careerist. He isn't somebody who had to work for a living: the guy's been sponging off taxpayers his entire adult life..."

and from Cheney: (he couldn't be reached for comment and miraculously disappears from television. A grateful nation sighs in relief.)

[mrsgm]

Exactly. Anyone who says anything even slightly disagreeable with either of these two is suddenly struck un-American by them. Perfect comment!

[regellner]

I guess Cheney and Limbaugh will start a "Petraeus is Un-American" campaign like they usually do.
Following are some articles of interest:

http://www.examiner.com/x-11326-Charlotte-Liberal-Examiner~y2009m5d18-Focus-must-remain-on-creators-and-implementers-of-torture-policy

http://www.examiner.com/x-11326-Charlotte-Liberal-Examiner~y2009m5d21-GOP-attacks-on-Pelosi-lack-substance

http://www.examiner.com/x-11326-Charlotte-Liberal-Examiner~y2009m5d21-President-Obamas-Guantanamo-speech-places-America-back-on-track


Raymond Gellner – Charlotte Liberal Examiner at Examiner.com
http://www.examiner.com/x-11326-Charlotte-Liberal-Examiner

[UniversalMan]

The General knows who's going to butter his bread, what do you expect? And if by now every thinking American does not know that CONGRESS, all of Congress, knew everything and that they all LIE when it is convenient, then by golly we have a bigger problem than I thought. How many times have we witnessed a higher up lie thru their teeth with the TV camera on their eyes? I feel sorry for those who get caught up in their b.s. and believe anything they say.

[mrsgm]

As long as you understand that they are lying to you. All of them, especially the ones who keep their faces on the tv screen and the radio.

[kimleehan]

John Bolton once said " It is a big mistake for us to grant any validity to international law even when it may seem in our short-term interest, to do so-- because over the long term, The goal of those who think that international law really means anything are those who want to constrict the United States. " ----This is the guy who George Bush appointed United Nation ambassador.

[Mammamia]

John Bolton is also a big promoter of American Exceptiona­lism...not exactly the type of person that you want representing the US in an international organization with the mission of facilitating social equity and international security.