Sorry if my comment is unfair, it was not intended to be. I must have misread your views when you stated the you really agree with Bush on National Security. I was not asking in reference to the ICC, which I see as a minor issue to the world as compared to the policy of pre-emptive invasion and going around the UN when desired.

>I'm afraid you take a different meaning from my message. I too feel that all acts of war crimes must be prosecuted by some means but I do not feel that the best means has been determined yet. I feel that nothing can take precedence over a U.S. citizen's right to a trial by jury of his/her peers. The ICC can prevent that and is in contradiction to our constitution. Do we authorize other countries the right to try U.S. citizens that may take away that right that is guaranteed in our constitution? That needs to be resolved first. There are other issues also. I think your comment is unfair. I am not saying that I agree with President Bush in that the US does not need to pass a global test but that the ICC cannot take away an American's rights to due process. I have my own issues with the ICC and I believe the issues should be resolved before the U.S. joins. You would not personally join any organization unless you were aware of the rules first and agreed with them would you?
>
>Belgium judicial authorities already attempted to prosecute U.S. political (George Bush Senior) and military members (Colin Powell) for war crimes due to the 1991 Gulf War. It was basically over collateral damage. The lawsuit was filed by 7 Iraqi families over the accidental bombing of a civilian shelter in Baghdad during Gulf War 1.
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>General Tommy Franks was brought up in a lawsuit for being responsible for war crimes carried out during the latest war with Iraq. They charged that US forces fired at and bombed civilian targets.
>
>
>http://www.useu.be/Categories/Justice%20and%20Home%20Affairs/Sept1203BloomfieldICC.html
>http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/2886931.stm
>http://www.wsws.org/articles/2003/may2003/belg-m20.shtml
>
>
>>If I had a chance I would like to ask the president why he believes the US does not need to pass a global test or answer to anyone else in the world while other nations such as those in his "axis of evil" are required to do so. Can there be any answer other than that we can get away with it because we are stronger?
>>
>>Since you sound like you are on the same page as the president on the rights of the US vs the rights of the rest of the world maybe you could help me understand his rational.
>>
>>
>>>
>>>Since this is the chatter section, I will state a small part of my political views. My political views are a mixture of the liberatarian/democrat/constitution/republican parties. However, the one thing I REALLY agree with George Bush on is national security. I strongly believe in U.S. sovereignity and I will never agree with giving the power of U.S. security over to any other nation or group of nations. I will never agree with any international court having jurisdiction over an american citizen before the U.S. courts. However, I believe in the absolute right of every woman to choose (I believe it is a religious decision between her and her god) and I believe in stemcell research. I believe in fewer taxes and a smaller government and more incentives for small businesses.
>>>
>>>Right now, since there is not a single candidate that I agree with completely, it is a question of which issues I feel are the most important today and which ones I am willing to put aside for now if necessary. To me, there is no question on that.
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>>>I better stop there before I get myself into trouble. I've probably offended over half the membership already!
>>>
>>>Tracy
>>>
>>>