A very interesting email came into my inbox today.
The 2005 International Commission of Inquiry on Crimes Against Humanity Committed by the Bush Administration of the United States
When the possibility of far-reaching war crimes and crimes against humanity exists, people of conscience have a solemn responsibility to inquire into the nature and scope of these acts and to determine if they do in fact rise to the level of war crimes and crimes against humanity. That is the mission of the International Commission of Inquiry on Crimes Against Humanity. The first session will be held October 21-22 in New York City. This tribunal will, with care and rigor, present evidence and assess whether George W. Bush and his administration have committed crimes against humanity. Well-established international law will be referenced where applicable, but the tribunal will not be limited by the scope of existing international law. When the possibility of far-reaching war crimes and crimes against humanity exists, people of conscience have a solemn responsibility to inquire into the nature and scope of these acts and to determine if they do in fact rise to the level of war crimes and crimes against humanity. From the Charter of The Bush Commission
Scenes from Katrina’s aftermath shocked the conscience of humankind, but the full truth has yet to be told. Tens of thousands of people, desperately poor, mostly Black, waving from rooftops as flood waters rose. Search-and-rescue missions suspended and aid supplies cut off in the name of “security” ¡¦leaving people to drown, and die of thirst and starvation. Black people stocking up on necessities like food, water and medicine portrayed as “looters.” Police and military guns pointed at survivors¡¦heads. Ordinary people seeking to help turned back at gun point. For four full days, images from the Convention Center of people suffering and even dying from lack of food, water and medicine. A police-state like atmosphere in the Superdome. Everything spoke to the utter disdain for those, mostly Black and poor, who had lost so much ¡¦from family and friends, to livelihood and shelter. The commission aims to both frame and fuel a society-wide discussion of whether, or not, the administration of George W. Bush is guilty of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and other high crimes. It will do this by bringing the truth to light, and by applying exacting standards, to determine if unpardonable crimes have been committed. This discussion, in these terms, is both sorely needed and increasingly possible now because of actual events and the rising public anger at the Bush administration. With a deep sense of responsibility to the people of the world, we have to seize this moment — a time to change how people see and think about the Bush administration and its actions.
Announcing the First Session of the 2005 International Commission of Inquiry into Crimes against Humanity committed by the Bush Administration.
When: Friday, October 21, 6 pm, and Saturday, October 22, 10 am
Where: Grand Ballroom, Manhattan Center, 311 W. 34th Street [off 8th Ave], NYC
Friday, October 21, 2005, 6PM:
