Thread: No Bush arrest at GOP convention, judge rules

No Bush arrest at GOP convention, judge rules



It's official: President Bush will not be arrested upon setting foot in the Twin Cities at the end of the summer for the GOP convention.

As Countdown to Crawford reported earlier, community activist Ed Felien wanted Bush charged with third-degree murder — defined by Minnesota statute as causing death "by perpetrating an act eminently dangerous to others" — for the Iraq war deaths of three Hennepin County residents.

Felien also alleged that Bush instigated the war in Iraq for his own personal gain, conspiring with the Saudi royal family to raise oil prices, and that he colluded with Afghan opium warlords to distribute heroin in Europe and the United States, including Hennepin County. From Felien's petition:

This brief is not concerned with George W. Bush's international crimes against humanity. Those are matters for an international court. This brief is not concerned with George W. Bush's crimes against the Constitution. Those are matters for Congress.

What concerns citizens of Hennepin County is whether George W. Bush has violated Minnesota state law. Have his actions caused serious harm to the citizens of Hennepin County? Was this harm incidental to the legitimate performance of his official duties as president, or were his actions and the consequent harm done in pursuit of personal gain? If, as I believe, there is probable cause that George W. Bush has committed crimes against the people of Hennepin County, then it is the responsibility and duty of the county attorney to charge him for these crimes and hold him accountable.

Patrick Diamond, chief deputy Hennepin County attorney, urged District Court Judge Gary Larson to deny Felien's request for a writ of mandamus, arguing that "whatever petitioner's, the county attorney's, or even the court's views as to the conduct of the president of the United States, we all operate under a system of laws with criminal processes designed to be fair and just."

Larson denied Felien's petition, reasoning that it's up to the county prosecutor to evaluate the case and decide whether to press charges.

Considering that Felien has been turned down by the Hennepin County attorney six times, it looks like Bush can attend the convention without fear of arrest.

What may be trickier is how John McCain's forces plan to position the president in the Twin Cities so that he brings out the conservative base while allowing the Arizona senator to play to the middle with a national television audience.

— Johanna Neuman

Photo: Ron Edmonds / Associated Press

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/preside ... t-gop.html

What may be trickier is how John McCain's forces plan to position the president in the Twin Cities so that he brings out the conservative base while allowing the Arizona senator to play to the middle with a national television audience.

This is a No Win situation for both sides . Equal Disdain for both by Many Americans