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January 02, 2008
Presidential Candidates On War Crimes Court
International Criminal Court logo
Presidential candidates diverge on U.S. joining war crimes court
SFGate (San Fran Chronicle)
.....for complete article
The International Criminal Court isn't discussed much in the presidential campaign, but few issues are more revealing of a candidate's perspective on the United States' legal and political relations with the rest of the world.
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Unlike the rest of the Republican field, Sen. John McCain has said he would like to see the United States join the international court, although he would first require more protections for U.S. personnel.
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At the other end is Ron Paul, a Republican congressman from Texas, who said in 2002 that both the court and the United Nations "are inherently incompatible with national sovereignty. America must either remain a constitutional republic or submit to international law because it cannot do both."
McCain, who has expressed more willingness than other Republicans to consider court membership, also has spoken up for international law in other contexts, notably the nation's duty to follow the Geneva Conventions on the humane treatment of foreign prisoners.
Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee has condemned the abuse of prisoners. But he has not responded to The Chronicle's inquiries about the international court and seems unlikely to support it, if his comment on another pending treaty is any indication: He referred to the Law of the Sea Treaty, a less-controversial pact that Bush supports, as a "crazy" plan that would "give away our sovereignty."
Other Republicans who haven't answered queries about the court are former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, who has criticized the United Nations; former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who has suggested that the United States look for alternatives to the United Nations; and Hunter, a congressman from San Diego, who has denounced "treaties that infringe on basic U.S. sovereignty." Former Sen. Fred Thompson of Tennessee opposes U.S. membership in the court.
Wild Thing's comment........
Oh, but McCain would get “guarantees” of “protection” first... excuse me while I roll my eyes.
Excuse me McCain, but ah you are against waterbolarding and prefer to just talk nicely to the prisoners to get important informtion out of them. And now this? I don't think so.
McCain is like Bush and has an incessant need for approval from libs and independents!
Posted by Wild Thing at January 2, 2008 12:44 AM
Comments
McCain is also nuts. At times he can be well spoken and very reasonable and realistic. At other times he can be so far out in left field on a subject you would think he was a devout Marxist. Ditto Ron Paul who is also nuttier than a pecan grove.
Ditto ALL the Dem candidates. America is hurting for presidential material in 2008.
Posted by: TomR at January 2, 2008 10:03 AM
While I respect his service and the things he endured as a POW. McCain didn't get the moniker of 'Manchurian Candidate' for being the chaplain at the Hanoi Hilton, he had to sustain a modicum of indoctrination to have the beliefs he cherishes today. Go kiss and hug Bui Tin, your buddy in the business John and keep the United States out of the Hague.
Posted by: Jack at January 2, 2008 01:30 PM
Screw the International Criminal Court and any American that supports it. Joining the ICC would be just one more nail in what is becoming our national suicide coffin.
Posted by: Les at January 2, 2008 05:13 PM
Tom,I have got to try and remember these expressions LOL I love them and they fit so well. "nuttier than a pecan grove."
I agree every once and awhile McCain will say something and I nod my head yes. The moments are too rare for him to be good leader.
He will always get my respect for what he went through but I also look at others that went through a lot too and did not do what McCain did when they came back. Like the many things he messed with regarding the POW's. grrrrr
Posted by: Wild Thing at January 2, 2008 06:21 PM
Jack yes that is something that stays with me what he did and I can never forgive him for that.
Posted by: Wild Thing at January 2, 2008 06:27 PM
Les I agree so much. I hope people make note of those running that even think this is a good idea.
Posted by: Wild Thing at January 2, 2008 06:30 PM
I was reading about countries in Germany, France and not so much England but to a certain extent. The youth, the future of europe, when asked where do you live. their answer was almost exclusively, ' I live in the European Union.' Not in France or Germany. First is to brainwash the young people. Their countries have little sovreignty but it has turned into a collective group. Which is controlled ultimately by the Haugue and of course the U.N..
Now we have a huge election in this country, The Grand Alliance with Mexico, Canada and the U.S. is right around the corner, they are talking super highways that stretch the length of the country North to South, our borders are wide open and no one is listening.
Now the donks are trying to promise everything they can, to get/buy their vote. Sadly these people don't see the writing on the wall , when you cede this much freedom for a few benefits you are no longer in a free country.
Hillarys 'no pay' insurance, Kucinich has his plan, Non profit health insurance. Can anyone imagine how our health care system will plummet as far as services delivered. Non Profit,,, there is no incentive to do any better it is all the same. No goals no deadlines no reason to improve.
This has got to be the most important election I have ever seen. I think we had better be very careful who we choose for our next leader, otherwise I don't think there will be another election.
Posted by: Mark at January 2, 2008 10:14 PM
Mark, thank you for telling about what you read about, you are so right about everything you said. I am so concerned about this election and what the outcome means.
I don't think there ever has been as important election as this one coming up. Not in my lifetime.
Posted by: Wild Thing at January 3, 2008 12:59 AM
