Re-defining the Geneva Convention?

Question

Bush is such a meglomaniac he doesn't realize the rest of the world let alone the Republican party thinks he is Mad.

Answer 1

Senators Graham, McCain and the others have hit the nail clearly on the head. While it is entirely correct that we have the right to redefine our laws for ourselves, as soon as we start re-interpreting international law to suit ourselves, the rest of the world will do the same. And then, there will be no need for these laws at all, and the reasons they were enacted in the first place will return immediately. Our own people will be able to be tortures and tried however the enemy wants, because they all will follow Bush's example, and make it all "legal." The Geneva Convention rules are there for the protection of everyone. To say we want to ignore them opens the door for others to follow suit.

Answer 2

Actually, the US is entirely within its legal rights to drop out of the Geneva Conventions (or any one of them), or to redefine war crimes (18 USC 2441) so that the term allows some things the Conventions prohibit.

That would at least prevent such actions from being further violations of federal law. But there is a different problem to consider. And McCain made the best argument concerning it.

By dropping out of the Geneva Convention, formally or simply by continually ignoring it, US troops would no longer be protected by it. That means that US troops would have no claim to UN intervention or fair treatment, in any future conflict, with Venezuela or Iran or Pakistan or China or the Sudan, or any current conflict in Lebanon, or Afghanistan, or Iraq.

Dropping out means the US has no legal basis to demand access for medical personnel, or the Red Cross, and no legal basis to demand that US forces imprisoned as prisoners of war be granted trials, or prisoner exchanges.

BushCo argue that terrorists don't follow those rules, so why should we? Well, if all the US is ever going to fight, now and in the future, are terrorists, then that might be a valid argument. But if we're ever going to fight against another nation again, we may not want to be so careless as to leave our troops without legal protection.

Answer 3

Ok first off, Bush can not redefine the Geneva Convention. Only the Hague Conventions can do that.

But what he can do is keep the situation tied up in our court system long enough to let him get away with what he wants to get done.

I will explain.

This is how war crimes and the Geneva Convention works:

The International Criminal Court decides who to charge with war crimes. This is a treaty based court located in The Hague. That is in the Netherlands btw.

It is designed to complement existing national judicial systems... meaning the court can only exercise its jurisdiction when national courts are unwilling or unable to investigate or prosecute such crimes.

For example, Bush was resently cited for war crimes and he appealed to the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court informed him that yes indeed he need to alter his handling of the prisoners at G.Bay... they have a right to be charged and a trial.

Bush just last week, finally conformed BECAUSE if our juducial system had not corrected him, Bush would have then been charged with war crimes by the International Criminal Court.

Get it?

In layman's terms, if a country fails to stop its leader, the ICC steps in and charges them.

Special Note:
1.Treaty based court, which means that each country that partipcates has signed a treaty listing the rules of war that must be complied with.

The USA has refused to participate in it or permit the court to have jurisdiction over their citizens.

2. Bush is still fighting having to conform to International war crime rules. He recently decided to try to create new legislation trying to get around their rules.

Now, you see, Bush can redefine all he wants and he can even refuse to have the USA participate in the Geneva Convention BUT THEY CAN STILL CHARGE HIM and he knows it. That is why he is keeping this tied up in the courts.

Answer 4

not a question!!! tell me this why is it the terrorist never abide by the rules of engagement, is it that you damnocrats are pulling for them? Remember I served and I saw. The US has it's hands tied when it comes to the geneva convention. Now be a grown up, dry your eyes, enlist and go see for yourself what I am talking about. Don't be a coward like the rest of your yellow party!

Answer 5

Bush is a very confused person. "The Patriot Act has increased the flow of information within our government and it has helped break up terrorist cells in the United States of America. And the United States Congress was right to renew the terrorist act -- the Patriot Act." --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C. , Sept. 7, 2006

Answer 6

I'd be willing to bet that you don't even know what the Geneva Convention actually says, or to who it applies and why.

Answer 7

Actually yes