I've been pouring over the Democratic Party Platform (requires Acrobat Reader) lately and while I'm no expert on it's contents, I've looked for references bolstering adherence to International Law (specifically in reference to war crimes but also in a broader sense of recognition) and found nothing. There are some oblique references to the International community and working with them but I feel it's important that a more specific enunciation is important.

  Do you agree? I'm just leaving the options as Yes / No because I don't want to put words in anyone's mouth. Explanations via replies are welcome- I'm very interested in seeing how important this specific mention would be to my fellow DUers.

  FYI: Constitutionally, any treaties we sign become (according to The Constitution) "The Supreme Law" which The Constitution defines as The Constitution, itself. This includes the Geneva Convention(s), et al.

Is it time for the Democratic party to add planks in the Democratic Platform specifically recognizing the rule of International Law?

That's where Saddam should be, together with Bush & Co, and the troops that committed war crimes.

Human Rights Watch has an excellent little FAQ about the ICC, including a section which dispels many myths and flat-out propaganda against the body. You are no doubt familiar with this information but I wished to include it so that others reading this thread could inform themselves.

PB

It seems there is no good reason for the US not to ratify this, unless you think sheilding US government officials from their future international crimes is a good reason.

...hopefully get an even bigger response and give us an idea how much support (or doesn't) at DU.

Thanks,

PB

...will likely see the thread and weigh in as well. I'd love to get as big a sampling as luck may provide me with to this question.

PB

This suggestion would only give the repubs another hammer to hit us over the head.

...platform matches theirs entirely, they engulf us and Lieberman is appointed liason to the "Constitutional Republicans".

Or we help make a distinction between the Democrats and the lawless Republicans, something which our party is desperately in need of. Two ways of looking at the same ramifications of this issue.

PB

goddamnit... we can fix our own problem if we get off of our asses and vote. I'm still pissed at the low Dem turnout in the 50th congressional race here in San Diego

You're right, though- we are the cause of and solution to our own worst problems. But it's accountability to International Law (which is already The Supreme Law for those treaties we have already signed) which will help the U.S. regain some of it's standing in the International Community. It is also a confirmation of a spirit of co-operation between the United States and the rest of the world which is referenced at least twice, already (but very, very generally), in the existing platform.

  Somewhere in there is also the desire to see Bush, Rummy, et al. in shackles at The Hague, but that's more a pleasurable side-effect than anything else. :-)

PB

Lots of good stuff in there:

Article VI

All debts contracted and engagements entered into, before the adoption of this Constitution, shall be as valid against the United States under this Constitution, as under the Confederation.

This Constitution, and the laws of the United States which shall be made in pursuance thereof; and all treaties made, or which shall be made, under the authority of the United States, shall be the supreme law of the land; and the judges in every state shall be bound thereby, anything in the Constitution or laws of any State to the contrary notwithstanding.

The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the members of the several state legislatures, and all executive and judicial officers, both of the United States and of the several states, shall be bound by oath or affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States.

...politics in America is more and more a struggle between the Monarchists and We, The People.

PB