We Have No Kings!

From David Cline, President, Veterans For Peace

To: GI Special

Sent: September 27, 2006 1:25 AM

Subject: VFP Letter to Congress about War Crimes Act

To All Members of the United States Congress,

cc: All members of the U.S. Armed Forces; the American people

In the past five years, since the horrific attacks of September 11, 2001, the people of our nation have been told time and time again that the world has changed, we have a new enemy and we must change to fight that enemy. This argument has been presented over and over to justify deviations from and at times dismissal of our nation’s basic ideals.

Veterans For Peace and millions of other U.S. citizens believe the time has come to return to our nation’s core beliefs as called for by our Declaration of Independence and Constitution, the rule of law, justice and the recognition of all people’s unalienable human and civil rights.

Recent news reports indicate that the Bush administration is seeking legislation to eliminate key elements of the War Crimes Act. Veterans For Peace believes such an effort is an attempt by administration officials to protect themselves from prosecution, even as they prosecute enlisted men and women for actions committed under their command in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere.

It is the highest form of hypocrisy to claim to support our troops while allowing the policy makers and planners of a war of choice, that we believe is illegal, immoral and unjust, to change existing law to protect themselves from prosecution for committing war crimes after ordering the troops to war.

It is obvious that these officials are trying to change the law because they believe they have broken the law.

How convenient for them that they have the power to persuade you to protect them.
How inconvenient for the soldier on the ground who must follow their orders.
Veterans For Peace vehemently insists that Congress:

(1) Reject any effort to weaken the 1996 War Crimes Act (USC §2441), and

(2) Based on USC §2441 and Article II of the Constitution, which makes treaties ratified by the U.S. Senate the supreme law of the land, initiate impeachment proceedings
against President Bush and Vice-President Cheney for the war crimes they have committed and for the treaties they have violated by the invasion and occupation of Iraq; including, but by no means limited to, waging a war of aggression, crimes against peace, and war crimes.

Veterans For Peace reminds Congress that the Uniform Code of Military Justice already applies the Geneva Conventions to everyone in the U.S. military. The purpose of the War Crimes Act is to provide the same accountability to the military's civilian leaders.

Gutting the War Crimes Act will exempt high government officials from the very war crimes charges they are now leveling against enlisted men and women and in some cases asking for the death penalty.

It is easy to claim adherence to high ideals in times of prosperity and relative comfort. The test is in time of challenge and adversity.

We face such times today. Will we live up to what we claim to be; land of the free and home of the brave? The American people as a whole must answer these questions but you are in elected positions to take a lead.

Hold the Bush administration accountable for its actions. Support our troops.

Do not create a double standard, one for the troops another for the administration.

We have no Kings in the United States. No one is above the law.

We have a President and he is a servant of the people. Even in times of war.

Urgently,
David Cline, President
Veterans For Peace
September 24, 2006
cc: All members of the U.S. Armed Forces; the American people