Ironic Bedfellows

Does it strike anyone else as ironic that the US and Sudan have nearly identical views on the International Criminal Court?

Here is Stephen Hadley, W's deputy national security advisor, in 2002:

"President Bush is determined to protect U.S. citizens from the ICC. An effort by the ICC to detain an American would have serious consequences. No one should underestimate Bush's commitment on this issue."

Here is Sudan's Justice Minister, Mohamed Ali Al-Mardi, today, in response to two warrants issued by the ICC:

"We do not recognize the International Criminal Court ... and we will not hand over any Sudanese even from the rebel groups who take up weapons against the government"

For the record, other non-participating countries include China, Iraq, Libya, Yemen, Qatar and Israel.

If we ever need moral support, it's good to know that Muammar Qadafy will have our back.

More seriously, this is something that Clinton got wrong in 1998 that Bush has made even worse during his administration. Maybe if our troops were held accountable to international standards, they'd quit torturing people so readily (or at least photographing it when they do). Even though we act as though we are above the law, it's high time that we agree to play by the rules.