Bush absolves himself of war crimes

[snopes]

Comment: President Bush attaches rider to bill in congress absolving him &
his administration from prosecution for Iraq "war crimes".
Real, or not real ???

[Recklessmess]

Originally Posted by snopes

Comment: President Bush attaches rider to bill in congress absolving him &
his administration from prosecution for Iraq "war crimes".
Real, or not real ???

I'm quite sure the Separation of Powers in the Constitution prevents the President from attaching anything other than his signature to a legislative bill.

Then again, El Presidente has friends in low places...

[snopes]

Besides, it isn't the U.S. who'd be prosecuting him for "war crimes," so passing a bill in Congress absolving him of responsibility wouldn't have much practical effect.

- snopes

[Mr. Billion]

This might be a confused interpretation of the fact that the Bush administration took "the unusual step of bestowing on its own troops and personnel immunity from prosecution by Iraqi courts for killing Iraqis or destroying local property after the occupation ends and political power is transferred to an interim Iraqi government." It's called "Order 17." Although that didn't involve the U.S. congress. Is it still in effect? It was as of last year, at least.

[Winged Monkey]

Originally Posted by Recklessmess

I'm quite sure the Separation of Powers in the Constitution prevents the President from attaching anything other than his signature to a legislative bill.

Not that this is but, the idea may come form the 'signing statements' as well. These beasties being executive branch interpretations of law some suggest that the current administration has used them to re-write law.

-Winged Monkey

[Natalie]

Originally Posted by Mr. Billion

Is it still in effect? It was as of last year, at least.

I think it is still in effect. On Fresh Air yesterday the guest was a New Yorker reporter who'd written a book about the War on Terra, and she was talking about Order 17 in the present tense.

[keokuk]

Originally Posted by Natalie

I think it is still in effect. On Fresh Air yesterday the guest was a New Yorker reporter who'd written a book about the War on Terra, and she was talking about Order 17 in the present tense.

It's still in effect, but from the way the Iraqis are talking about it, it seems like it's a foregone conclusion that it will be taken out of effect in the Iraq-US agreement on continued presence this summer.

[Natalie]

Originally Posted by keokuk

It's still in effect, but from the way the Iraqis are talking about it, it seems like it's a foregone conclusion that it will be taken out of effect in the Iraq-US agreement on continued presence this summer.

Ah, thanks for the info.