[BREAK] Of course the US didn't sign on to a long-negotiated treaty prohibiting governments from holding people in secret detention. The other 57 civilized nations who thought secret detention was an abomination did not have the same baggage as we do.

The United States declined to endorse the document, saying its text did not meet U.S. expectations.

Of course it didn't meet our expectations. When it comes to restrictions, ANY restrictions, of actions by sovereign powers, the Bushies expect the final sentence to read: "The US, under GW Bush, is hereby exempted from any and all restrictions contained herein." The Repugnants cringe when they read:

Louise Arbour, the U.N. high commissioner for human rights, said the treaty was "a message to all modern-day authorities committed to the fight against terrorism" that some practices are "not acceptable."

You see, as with the many Geneva Conventions, International Courts/law, UN resolutions and all other treaties and agreements the US joined, once Emperor Bush was elected/selected, things changed. We are now the class bully, and God help any other/weaker country that tries to stop us from committing (what those wimpy countries refer to as) crimes against humanity! JB ---

U.S. Declines to Join Accord on Secret Detentions - washingtonpost.com U.S. Declines to Join Accord on Secret Detentions 58 Nations Sign Separate Pact On Child Soldiers By Molly Moore Washington Post Foreign Service Wednesday, February 7, 2007; Page A14 PARIS, Feb. 6 -- Representatives from 57 countries on Tuesday signed a long-negotiated treaty prohibiting governments from holding people in secret detention. The United States declined to endorse the document, saying its text did not meet U.S. expectations. Louise Arbour, the U.N. high commissioner for human rights, said the treaty was "a message to all modern-day authorities committed to the fight against terrorism" that some practices are "not acceptable."

More here [/BREAK]