The Osterley Times: Hypocrisy Thy Name is Bush.

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Hypocrisy Thy Name is Bush.

It simply boggles my brain that George W. Bush was making comments like this in June, 2003. And yet he was:

The United States is committed to the world-wide elimination of torture and we are leading this fight by example.

I call on all governments to join with the United States and the community of law-abiding nations in prohibiting, investigating, and prosecuting all acts of torture and in undertaking to prevent other cruel and unusual punishment.

I call on all nations to speak out against torture in all its forms and to make ending torture an essential part of their diplomacy. I further urge governments to join America and others in supporting torture victims' treatment centers, contributing to the UN Fund for the Victims of Torture, and supporting the efforts of non-governmental organizations to end torture and assist its victims.

I say we take him at his word, follow his fine example, and start "prohibiting, investigating and prosecuting all acts of torture".

I mean it's nothing less that what the man promised:

It's important for people to understand that in a democracy, there will be a full investigation. In other words, we want to know the truth. In our country, when there's an allegation of abuse ... there will be a full investigation, and justice will be delivered. ... It's very important for people and your listeners to understand that in our country, when an issue is brought to our attention on this magnitude, we act.

Of course, in the latter quote he was actually calling for the prosecution of the people who took part in the abuse at Abu Ghraib, abuse which we have since discovered was actually following official government guidelines.

But, in the first quote, he was actually speaking on the United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture and was stating that, "torture anywhere is an affront to human dignity everywhere".

The hypocrisy of this asshole is breathtaking. But, every time the Republicans tell us it is time to move on, they should have that first Bush quote thrown at them over and over again. After all, investigation and prosecution is nothing less than what the man demanded.

Hat tip to Andrew Sullivan.