The Gallows Awaits Thee, Mr. Dick Cheney

What's the difference between Dick Cheney and a war criminal?

The International Criminal Court hasn't hanged Dick Cheney yet.

On CNN late yesterday and again this morning, Colonel Lawrence Wilkerson, former chief of staff to then-Secretary of State Colin Powell, stated that

Cheney provided the "philosophical guidance" and "flexibility" that led to the torture of detainees in U.S. facilities..."There's no question in my mind where the philosophical guidance and the flexibility in order to do so originated -- in the vice president of the United States' office," he said. "His implementer in this case was [Defense Secretary] Donald Rumsfeld and the Defense Department."

At another point in the interview, Wilkerson said "the vice president had to cover this in order for it to happen and in order for Secretary Rumsfeld to feel as though he had freedom of action."

And some may think that there should be additional nooses available for Rumsfeld ("I was just following orders!"), for the various enablers in the administration (all promoted since the Iraq debacle started) like Paul Wolfowitz, Condoleezza Rice, Stephen Hadley, Scooter Libby, Karl Rove. Chimpie may have his sentence commuted to life imprisonment due to mental retardation.

Rumsfeld told ABC's "This Week" on Sunday that the White House was in negotiations with the Senate over the amendment.

"There's a discussion and debate taking place as to what the implications might be and what is supportable and what is not," he told the program. "But the fact of the matter is the president from the outset has said that he required that there be humane treatment."

So here we are, the United States of America, beacon of liberty and justice for all, in the 21st century, and we're having a debate about torture?

The hangman awaits thee, you evil, traitorous motherfuckers.