Human Rights - Too Little, Too Late

Here's a post worth reading in National Review - if you want a good laugh. Michael Rubin reflects on the "points" that Bush endorsed in his speech at the Prague "Democracy and Security Conference": 1. To demand the immediate release of all non violent political prisoners in their respective countries 2. Instructing diplomatic emissaries to non-democratic countries to actively and openly seek out meetings with political prisoners and dissidents committed to building free societies through non-violence. 4. Raising the question of human rights in all meetings with officials of non-democratic regimes. 5. Seeking national and international initiatives, in the spirit of the Helsinki Accords, that link bilateral and international relations to the question of human rights. 8. Isolating and ostracizing governments and groups that suppress their peaceful domestic opponents by force, violence, or intimidation. 9. Isolating and ostracizing governments and groups that threat other countries and peoples with genocide or annihilation. No, the numbering is correct, taken right from Rubin's post. Not sure if there is a point 3, 6, 0r 7... In looking at these "points", let's see how we stack up. I'll not comment on all points, just a few that seem especially egregious. 1. To demand the immediate release of all non violent political prisoners in their respective countries This is where the laughing starts. The US currently holds hundreds of "non-violent political prisoners", although it is still debatable whether they are still "in their respective countries" in Guantanamo Bay. The fact of the matter is that 98% of all prisoners that were victims of the US's "rendition" program have never committed a violent act, and have yet to be charged with even conspiracy by the US Government. I assume Bush will punctuate his speech by being the first to comply with point 1, right? LOL... 5. Seeking national and international initiatives, in the spirit of the Helsinki Accords, that link bilateral and international relations to the question of human rights. I assume this means that we are ready to break off diplomatic relations with all countries from which he have kidnapped and relocated "suspects" for detention and "coercive interrogation". That list would be extensive, and include most of our current allies (including several members of the EU). I haven't seen that policy announced in the Rose Garden yet, but I'm sure that someone with as much courage of conviction as the President will make sure that this announcement comes soon. LMAO... 9. Isolating and ostracizing governments and groups that threat other countries and peoples with genocide or annihilation. Here, I suppose we are asking to be "isolated and ostracized" for threatening other peoples with genocide of annihilation. Taken from this speech on September 20, 2001 by the President: Every nation, in every region, now has a decision to make. Either you are with us, or you are with the terrorists. (Applause.) From this day forward, any nation that continues to harbor or support terrorism will be regarded by the United States as a hostile regime. Whether we bring our enemies to justice, or bring justice to our enemies, justice will be done. That sure sounds like a threat to me... Rubin ends with what I think he believes to be a zinger - "Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, European Union, Middle East Studies Association, BBC: Your silence is deafening." I'm sure he doesn't have the faintest clue (sarcasm?) that these groups have spoken out on human rights issues for years, and in a way that does not exempt the US from being held to the same rules of scrutiny. What does Rubin expect them to say - "Great Job! Bush the Humanitarian!"?? I'm still laughing...