Karl Rove: arrest that war criminal
I often think of George Orwell’s slogan “War is Peace” from his novel 1984, symbolizing how a totalitarian government can twist the meaning of language to have words signify their opposite definition. We’re no stranger to this phenomenon in democracies, either. Hence, “peacekeepers” carry weapons and kill people, and powerful men like former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, who oversaw the “secret” bombing of Cambodia during the Vietnam War, win the Nobel Peace Prize.
To a disturbing degree throughout history, countries herald the men who support and approve war while reviling those who abhor it. Hence, leaders often denounce peace activists as “subversives” or “thugs.” Since when does seeking peace and harmony make you a criminal?
One of the latest “war heroes” is Karl Rove, deputy chief of staff under former U.S. President George W. Bush. He is on a book tour in the States, speaking at private Republican Party gatherings about his new tome Courage & Consequence, My Life as a Conservative in the Fight. Without having read the book, I can say that I prefer the account of Rove in the citizen’s arrest complaint created by CodePink, a U.S. women’s peace group:
Arrest Complaint
In the matter concerning:
United States of America, plaintiff v. Karl Christian Rove, defendant
Under the authority provided private citizens by California Code: 837, you, Karl Christian Rove, are being placed under arrest for high crimes against the people of the United States committed during your role as Deputy Chief of Staff to President George W. Bush as well as while serving as a campaign consultant during the U.S. presidential elections of 2000 and 2004.
You are charged with willful violation of the following federal codes between the dates of January 1, 2000 until the present.
US Code: Title 42, the Voting Rights Act, for ELECTION FRAUD in the 2000 and 2004 presidential elections.
US Code, Chapter 19.371, CONSPIRACY TO COMMIT OFFENSE OR TO DEFRAUD UNITED STATES, for false information leading to the War in Iraq
Several sections of US Code, Chapter 115, TREASON, SEDITION, AND SUBVERSIVE ACTIVITIES including, but not limited to submitting and fomenting false information leading to the War in Iraq, illegal detainment and torture of prisoners in Guantanamo and elsewhere, and other fraudulent acts leading to the deaths of more than 4,000 U.S. military personnel as well as approximately 300,000 Iraqi civilians.
US Code, Title 18, Chapter 51, FELONY MURDER
Further, you may also be indicted for other violations of federal code not listed in this complaint.
Any United States Marshall or any authorized U.S. Law Enforcement Officer present is obligated under the provisions of California Code 837 to take you into custody and bring you forthwith before the nearest magistrate to answer these charges and to advise you of your rights with include:
You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney, and to have an attorney present during any questioning. If you cannot afford a lawyer, one will be provided for you at government expense.
Respectfully submitted by and for citizens of the state of xxx
On this xx day of xx, 2010.