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the torture business seems to me a war crime that should be prosecuted unless we collectively really do think that war crimes only happen when a country looses a war. but i doubt that the prosecutions that i think should happen will, simply because the actions were framed by interpretations of executive power and state prerogatives in the context of a state of exception. it may have been done in grand fascist legal theory style, but it falls within the exercise of state power directly and so may in the end be immune. but i think for political reasons, the bush people should stand trial for this--otherwise saying that "we" oppose torture means nothing.
the actions regarding prosecutors seems far more straightforward an abuse of power, a mode of corruption that is eminently prosecutable and should be. much of this nonsense was carried out on the basis of an extrordinary arrogance, before the conservative house of cards collapsed and the dream of a thousand year retro-reich (the "permament republican majorities") along with it. whether the charges will stand or not in court is a separate question.
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a gramophone its corrugated trumpet silver handle
spinning dog. such faithfulness it hear
it make you sick.
-kamau brathwaite
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