It was My Idea All Along

President Bush has done what a smart politician does when he knows he's beat: he made the best of the situation and grabbed a little reflected glory. Once John McCain had veto-proof majorities in both houses for an amendment that would actually require the United States to live up to its own regulations as well as international treaties ratified by the Senate (and thus, by the Constitution, having the force of US law) barring any American, anywhere from using "cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment" toward prisoners, Bush invited him over for a high-profile signing and some valuable photo ops. See Eric Schmitt's story in this morning's NY Times through the link above.

The deal, however, gives intel. officers and military personnel a disturbing defense against charges of violating this law: they can argue that a "reasonable" person could believe that they were following a "lawful order." What's wrong with that? Well, if all US personnel, military or civilian, everywhere are covered by this policy, it should be obvious that an order to abuse or torture (a distinction with little difference) a prisoner is NOT a lawful order. Oh, and it's also the Nuremberg Defense - and we rejected it when the Nazis tried it.

Meanwhile, somewhere in an undisclosed location, Dick Cheney is clutching his chest and growling curses at Lynn.