Pope seeks immunity in Texas abuse case

[NAO]

Pope seeks immunity in Texas abuse case
http://www.bellaciao.org/en/article.php3?id_article=7725

excerpt:

VATICAN CITY -- Lawyers for Pope Benedict XVI have asked President Bush to declare the pontiff immune from liability in a lawsuit that accuses him of conspiring to cover up the molestation of three boys by a seminarian in Texas, court records show.

The Vatican’s embassy in Washington sent a diplomatic memo to the State Department on May 20 requesting the U.S. government grant the pope immunity because he is a head of state, according to a May 26 motion submitted by the pope’s lawyers in U.S. District Court for the Southern Division of Texas in Houston.

Joseph Ratzinger is named as a defendant in the civil lawsuit. Now Benedict XVI, he’s accused of conspiring with the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston to cover up the abuse during the mid-1990s.

full article at above link.

[madeline_con]

1. "Pope clears self of wrongdoing"

Is DUH-bya about to lose the Catholic vote for the Repubs in the next election??

[Kagemusha]

2. The Vatican is a recognized nation. His hands are tied.

And so would any Democratic president in his place.

[madeline_con]

3. We could bring them "democracy"...

;)

[TechBear_Seattle]

4. For once, I rejoice in the US record of kidnapping heads of state

Except that Benedict didn't assume power by US fiat in the way Manuel Noriega and Saddam Hussein did (among others.) Does this mean we are not permitted to invade the Vatican, kidnap him, put him through a show trial and have him thrown in prison on a pre-determined conviction?

[wli]

8. there are protocols for dealing with heads of state IIRC

Going in and kidnapping him is not part of them.

[TechBear_Seattle]

11. Tell that to Manuel Noriega

After all, we invaded Panama and "arrested" a foreign head of state because he was involved with trafficking cocaine to the United States. How is that any different from covering-up a massive pedophilia ring in this country?

[wli]

12. that was a violation of Panamanian sovereignty

There's international law on this subject (though I'm not entirely familiar with it).

[TechBear_Seattle]

16. That was a precedent

Especially for the neo-cons who whorship Reagan. Scarey thought, isn't it?

Edit: I meant "worship", but the image of prostituting oneself amuses me. I'll let the Freudian slip stay :evilgrin:

[wli]

18. it was illegal according to international law

As a "precedent" it serves as little more than prior evidence of the US violating international law.

[Meldread]

5. He shouldn't get it.

...and I'm not saying that just because the guy is a homophobe. I think that should go for anyone regardless of their position or standing in a goverment. If you break the law then you ought to be held accountable. I think if he is found guilty he should be forced to take the punishment if he dares set foot back in the United States.

[DanCa]

6. Personal responsibility ?

Cmon you want rape victims to relieve the event until the babies are carried to term but you can't accept your responsibility in this scandal? All I can say is Tisk squarred.

[liberaliraqvet26]

7. FUCK BENE"DICK"

[NAO]

9. Saddam Hussein was the head of a sovereign state...

as was Slobadan Milosovich.

Ratzi the Nazi should get similar treatment. He should be extradited to Texas and given whatever punishment they have there for accessory to pedophilia and obstruction of justice.

[jsamuel]

13. try to be a little respectful

I am not catholic, but I could see this being offensive. You have the right to say what you want, but just remember some people view the Pope as a religous symbol that is very important to them. I can see that you probably didn't think of it that way and just thought of him as a person who is involved in criminal activities, but he is a very important figure to others.

[TechBear_Seattle]

17. A religious figure AND A POLITICAL FIGURE

Or shall political figures be off-limits because of perceived holiness? I guess no more Bush-bashing then. :wow:

Anyway, in the best (sic) tradition of the right wing, religious and otherwise: we are condeming his actions and not his office. (Hey, it worked against Clinton!)

[jsamuel]

19. I didn't say he was off limits

just try not to say "F*&$ POPE BENEDICT"

but that's me

you can say whatever you want

[HKTech]

10. Considering Benedict's Stand on the Iraq Invasion...

I would think DU would cut him a little slack.

I think the political calculations would cause Rove's head to explode. A pardon would placate the Conservative Catholic base, but p*ss off the Evangelical and Xenophobic Base.

[Meldread]

15. Cut him slack?

Ha. Hardly. Unless you think helping cover up for child molesters deserves "cutting slack". Not only covering up for pedophiles but then trying to paint them as "gay people" to gain sympathy, while out the other side of his mouth condemning gays.

No, the guy deserves to be put on trial and deserves whatever punishment he gets. Its called justice, and those who don't like it shouldn't break the law.

[Scurrilous]

14. Dupe

..and not LBN. This story came out Tuesday and was discussed here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=1706647

[jarab]

20. Locking

No longer Latest Breaking News. Please see:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=1708433