23 Americans guilty in "extraordinary rendition" case

In Italy, 22 CIA agents and one Air Force colonel have been convicted for allegedly grabbing a radical Muslim imam off the streets of Milan and flying him to Egypt, where he claims to have been tortured. This is what's popularly known as "extraordinary rendition." Italian prosecutors prefer the term "kidnapping." They say they're going to try and extradite the Americans, but that's almost as likely as me eating a barbecued unicorn for lunch today. (Actually, I brought leftover lasagna.)

Hat Tip: Many thanks, Patty PV!

Comments

[EsqEB]

FYI~ You have to marinate it over night in lemon juice, then put it in a ziploc bag with BBQ sauce and leave it in the fridge for at least six hours. Goes great with fried mermaid tails.

[After the fact]

Dam Obama and his Patriot Act/Homeland Security moneygrabs...whoops nevermind that was Komrade Bush.

[KC Cicero]

Italy -- which had a former President kidnapped & killed by terrorists -- seems a bit sensitive on this whole War on Terror Justifies Any Crime deal that W. & the boys set up.

Of course, we should not extradict the CIA guys who were just following W's orders. Maybe we could just send Chaney to spend a weedend with Berlusconi. With his ticker, it might prove a death sentence.

[Man in a Mission]

Obama might not be responsible for the USA PATRIOT Act and the abuses of the Bush era, he is responsible for legitimizing the warrantless wiretapping regimen by voting for immunity for those Telecoms who aided and abetted the US government in this violation of individuals' rights and voting for the expansion of the use of FISA warrants and courts. Similarly, his administration did not argue against sunsetting some of the worst parts of the USA PATRIOT Act, and actually argued against allowing some to sunset. Further, he is responsible for not ordering the DOJ to arrest these 23 individuals (they would still have the right to present a case before a US court in appealing extradition, just as Roman Polanski is currently doing).

Obama is also responsible for continuing to stonewall courts and plaintiffs where suits have been filed regarding illegal detention and violations of civil and human rights. They also continue to rely on the fruits of torture in on-going prosecutions as well as refusing to pursue investigations and prosecutions of those who designed and carried out violations of civil and human rights, as well as obligations under US laws and treaty obligations.

Generally, I admire Europeans who refuse to be cowed and terrified into surrendering their rights and freedoms in response to terrorist attacks and similarly how they aren't afraid of placing terrorists on trial in their courts and then imprisoning them like the criminals they are. This resolve to continue to live according to their own values in defiance of the will and attacks of terrorism seems to me, to be much more what America used to be like, or at least what I grew up being taught America and Americans were like.

[S Star]

Evidently the USA does not respect the sovereignty of other nations or the rule of law, except when there interests are at stake. The comments I have read from the defense team involved and others within the CIA are so arrogant they are repugnant. I have lost a great deal of respect for the US. Rational Americans need to take a look in the mirror.

[Marvin]

The government doesn't respect our rights. Why should they care about Italians?