Bush visit to Geneva canceled after protest threat

Go Switzerland ;)

Widney Brown, Amnesty’s senior director of international law and policy, said the group would continue to press for Bush’s prosecution the next time the former president travels to a country that has committed to prosecuting war crimes and where he could expect a fair trial.

What an embarrassment for the United States. Then again, that's exactly what George W. Bush was.

What an embarrassment for the United States.

I am more embarrassed by the ignorance and lack of "civility" shown to an ex American President.

Good for Switzerland.

"I am more embarrassed by the ignorance and lack of "civility" shown to an ex American President."

It would be best for him to stay home. We don't need his simple-minded "reflections".

Bravo Switzerland

Good for Switzerland.

The Swiss have publicly stated that they have no intention of prosecuting President Bush so I don't know why people keep congratulating them. This was due to security concerns rather than any chance of a legal case. So hooray for preventing a person you don't like from speaking.

"Swiss officials told human rights groups recently that they had no plans to try to prosecute Mr. Bush" New York Times

“President Bush was looking forward to speaking about freedom

Speaking about freedom at an event supporting the apartheid state of Israel. What an ass. This is why the Arabs are beating American reporters in the streets of Cairo. Maybe Bush should change his stripes and do something to improve America's image in the world; support the Middle East's only democracy: Lebanon.

Yet Europe welcomes exiled dictators with billions of dollars with open arms.

Oh, and Swiss, say hi to Polanski for me.

This is why the Arabs are beating American reporters in the streets of Cairo.

So then by this thinking it should be ok for Americans to beat muslims in their streets because of what AQ did to the twin towers. You want Bush to be accountable for his actions but I bet you cheer the likes of Assagne, Sea Shepherd and anyone else who breaks laws so long as it is in line with your opinion. Most people call that hypocrisy except for the liberals who can't see the hypocrisy for the outrage.

So then by this thinking it should be ok for Americans to beat muslims in their streets because of what AQ did to the twin towers.

AQ does not represent Muslims the way that George W. Bush represented Americans.

but I bet you cheer the likes of Assagne

Oh, absolutely. Just as I cheered Daniel Ellsberg for showing the American people just how much their government and military were lying to them. When the laws are put in place to protect liars, only fools would criticize those who break them.

but I bet you cheer the likes of Assagne

Oh, absolutely

You realize many of Assange's colleagues defected from Assange's tyrannical-like management style and his lack of due diligence in vetting leaks (for data/information which could lead to unwanted consequences). Like outing people who were trying to bring change to places, etc., etc.

Listen, there is a place for a whistleblower platform (website) but going about it in the manner he believes (let the cards fall where they may), in my estimation, is grossly irresponsible.

When the laws are put in place to protect liars, only fools would criticize those who break them.

"I will not mandate Americans buy government healthcare"...

On video, Mr. Obama professes, attempting to raise himself up a notch over Hillary Clinton, who did mandate it, on the campaign trail for the presidential nomination...

Pants on fire...

I don't think Bush will visit Europe much due to the protests and the risk of him being arrested and charge for war crimes.

AQ does not represent Muslims the way that George W. Bush represented Americans.

First of all yabits I wasn't talking to you. But since you flapped in on this one I'll address it. So If Bush represented Americans therefore Egyptians are just in beating any ol American they find then I guess We should have beaten every Japanese and German persons after WW2 because well you say the entire population is responsible and therefore it's justified to beat on them. You think just like some groups we all know. That would be all those extremist muslim ones. You are a champion of the people aren't you? All your liberal buddies in the US will be happy with you condemning them to be justly beaten in the streets of Cairo. Let's hope they don't go to Switzerland either as they must be guilty of the perceived crimes of their former leaders too.

Switzerland's loss.

Never forget that "protesting" the arrival in your country of as easy and harmless a presence as ex-American presidents takes real courage.In this case it's a white, xtian, wealthy, middle-aged patriotic American male, the very incarnation of evil for bourgeois leftist reactionaries...

Bush is not welcomed by Europeans, or actually by most of the world. Only groups like the United Israel Appeal enjoy his presence; I wonder why!

Bush is not welcomed by Europeans, or actually by most of the world

.The world , in this case, being the elitist leftist journalists who are forbidden, by EU law, to write and publish unless vetted by Brussels.

Pamelot - What an embarrassment for the United States.

I am more embarrassed by the ignorance and lack of "civility" shown to an ex American President.

GW Bush should get what he deserves and the consequences of his policies and decision making should be taken into account when considering he should be shown respect or not. (If respect is what you mean by lack of "civility").

Personally I would like the former decider go to Swiss and see if he can dodge any of the shoes prepared for him. Though security measures could include that wearing shoes and slippers will be forbidden for everyone attending the speech.

I am more embarrassed by the ignorance and lack of "civility" shown to an ex American President.

I don't think Europeans are ignorant of the actions of GWB - quite the opposite, which is why he's unwelcome. And I see no reason to show 'civility' (by which you seem to mean suspension of freedom of speech) to a warmonger and proponent of torture.

GW Bush should get what he deserves and the consequences of his policies and decision making should be taken into account when considering he should be shown respect or not. (If respect is what you mean by lack of "civility")."

Ok ok, I'll go with you, but why is the current president who still continuing the war, off scott free with not even the slightest bit of criticism? Much of what happened under Bush is still happening, isn't it?

Ok ok, I'll go with you, but why is the current president who still continuing the war, off scott free with not even the slightest bit of criticism? Much of what happened under Bush is still happening, isn't it?

Absolutely right. Obama sounds better and says different things, but his actions are just as bad.

rights activists proposed legal action against him for allegedly ordering the torture of terrorism suspects.

"Much of what happened under Bush is still happening, isn't it?" From the above quote, it seems they are protesting the water-boarding and such. I'm not fully up on this, but did this sort of thing continue after Obama took over?

Under the pressure of mounting inflation worldwide, the trip cancellation will at least help save a lot of shoes ( for launching at the former President ) even worn out ones..

In 2009 Obama ordered the closing of Guantanamo Bay and was determined to make an end to the waterboarding. In 2010 an delay in the closing was announced in the media and later in that year followed by messages about the inability to get Guantanamo Bay closed.

I presume the waterboarding is still going on and didn't get much attention anymore because of all the new fuss going on in the world. Such as moving troops from Iraq to Afghanistan, healtcare reforms, recovery from the economic crisis, Wikikleaks, North Korea and the recent the uproar in Tunesia and Egypt.

Obama hasn't been critised the way Bush was simply because Obama didn't initiate the events leading to the current state of the wars and the economy.

oops, should have been: criticized

has been removed for the following reason: Off Topic

"Yet Europe welcomes exiled dictators with billions of dollars with open arms.

Oh, and Swiss, say hi to Polanski for me."

The above post is not off topic in any way. You're just choosing sides.

sarge: "Switzerland's loss."

why?

Surely they have saved quite a bit of money and hassle by not having a liability on its soil. Seriously, what were they to gain?

We don't want evil doers in Europe thank you.

Cleo: "I don't think Europeans are ignorant of the actions of GWB - quite the opposite"

hear hear

In fact I would say Europeans think American are too ignorant of Bush's actions.

The pacifist European Left sure is good at squashing free speech with threats of violence.