UH, which specific law is it? Or are we talking article of faith, like "Bush lied"??
So Helen Thomas believes we must be attacked before we
can defend ourselves because we must follow international
law. Nothing is more important than international law.
Helen Thomas: Media's Eldermoonbat
By Kim Priestap on Media
Wizbang
Updated
Scott McClellan called on Helen Thomas today. I guess he felt the need to liven up his press briefing with some moonbattiness.
This was her question:
<<< Does the President know he's in violation of international law when he advocates preemptive war: UN Charter, Geneva, Nuremberg. We violate international law when we advocate attacking a country that did not attack us. >>>
She was refering to President Bush's stance on the use of preemptive force. Helen seems to think we should be attacked first before we are allowed to respond.
I've got two words for you, Helen: Nuclear Iran.
Update: The White House website has the video and the transcript of Scott McClellan's press briefing.
Here's a portion of the transaction between Scott McClellan and Helen Thomas:
<<< Q Does the President know that he's in violation of international law when he advocates preemptive war? The U.N. Charter, Geneva, Nuremberg. We violate international law when we advocate attacking a country that did not attack us.
MR. McCLELLAN: Helen, I would just disagree with your assessment. First of all, preemption is a longstanding principle of American foreign --
Q It's not a long-standing principle with us. It's your principle.
MR. McCLELLAN: Have you asked your question?
Q It's a violation of international law.
MR. McCLELLAN: First of all, let me back up, preemption is a longstanding principle of American foreign policy. It is also part --
Q It's never been.
MR. McCLELLAN: It is also part of an inherent right to self-defense. But what we seek to do is to address issues diplomatically by working with our friends and allies, and working with regional partners. That's what we're doing when it comes to the threat posed by Iran pursuing nuclear weapons. That's what we're doing when it comes to resolving the nuclear issue with North Korea. So we seek diplomatic solutions to confront threats.
And it's important what September 11th taught us --
Q The heavy emphasis of your paper today is war and preemptive war.
MR. McCLELLAN: Can I finish responding to your question, because I think it's important to answer your question. It's a good question and it's a fair question. But first of all, are we supposed to wait until a threat fully materializes and then respond? September 11th --
Q Under international law you have to be attacked first.
MR. McCLELLAN: Helen, you're not letting me respond to your question. You have the opportunity to ask your question, and I would like to be able to provide a response so that the American people can hear what our view is. This is not new in terms of our foreign policy. This has been a longstanding principle, the question that you bring up. But again, I'll put the question back to you. Are we supposed to wait until a threat fully materializes before we respond --
Q You had no threat from Iraq.
MR. McCLELLAN: September 11th taught us --
Q That was not a threat from Iraq.
MR. McCLELLAN: -- some important lessons. One important lesson it taught us was that we must confront threats before they fully materialize. That's why we are working to address the threats when it comes to nuclear issues involving Iran and North Korea. That's why we're pursuing diplomatic solutions to those efforts, by working with our friends and allies, by working with regional partners who understand the stakes involved and understand the consequences of failing to confront those threats early, before it's too late. >>>
So Helen Thomas believes we must be attacked before we can defend ourselves because we must follow international law. Nothing is more important than international law.
Update: Expose the Left has the video.
exposetheleft.com
feeds.wizbangblog.com
breitbart.com
today.reuters.com
whitehouse.gov
whitehouse.gov |
