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Condoleezza Rice avows; President is above law

Condi Rice Pulls a Nixon: If the President Orders Torture, It Must be Legal

copyright © 2009 Betsy L. Angert.  BeThink.org Students at Stanford stood still as they listened to former Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice speak.  As the scholars pondered the words of the prominent woman who presented her case for waterboarding, many mused; "Is it Richard Nixon, or Condoleezza Rice?  Which person thinks a President is above the law?" One might wonder.  Today, those who viewed a video taped classroom conversation with Secretary Rice express astonishment as well.  In her defense for any action she took to advocate for this an extreme interrogation technique Condoleezza Rice both blamed her former boss, George W. Bush and justified his decision.  "The president instructed us that nothing we would do would be outside of our obligations, legal obligations under the Convention Against Torture."

Bush. Rice. The “Root Causes” of War. ©

Twenty-seven long and bloody days have passed. Early on there were calls for help. People, pundits, and political leaders were requesting America assist with negotiations. They stated someone must stop the fighting. Many thought only the world’s singular superpower could do it. However, the Bush Administration declared the time was not right. Thus, they waited.

America allowed its friend and ally Israel to pummel the Lebanese countryside. Thus far, 700,000 people have been displaced within Lebanon. Women and children are killed day after day; and all Bush can say is “Hezbollah is to blame.” Hezbollah captured two Israeli soldiers and had they not done so Lebanon and Israel would be at peace, or so is the world according to the Shrub.

Iraq, Israel, Lebanon; Trees of Life in a Wilderness of War. ©

Our countrymen see the diseased and devastated trees and speak of the color of the leaves. People in the United States ponder the slow death of the foliage. They think caterpillars are the cause. Others, here and abroad dispute this theory and say, “No, it is blight.” A scientist enters the scene and voices his hypothesis. His neighbor started the spread of this syndrome; yes, that man is to blame. Had the national not introduced the dynamic of destruction, all would be well.

Another quiet dissenter enters the fray. She says, “This virus has existed for centuries.” No one can change what is and has always been. A group gathers and grows. They all argue amongst themselves. Finally, there is a loud explosion, or was it an implosion. The tree and all those surrounding it are engulfed in flames. Within minutes, there is silence. This world exists no more.

For well over a week now I have witnessed the whirlwind of discussions, disagreements, and dialogues pertaining to rhetoric, religion, and rage. People are discussing the crisis in Lebanon and Israel.