USA Setting An Example... For Dictators

Harsh criticism for Bush's USA from Amnesty International:

'The USA as the unrivalled political, military and economic hyper-power sets the tone for governmental behaviour worldwide,' secretary-general Irene Khan said. 'When the most powerful country in the world thumbs its nose at the rule of law and human rights, it grants a licence to others to commit abuse with impunity.'

Australia was also singled out for criticism, including its atrocious refugee policies and sycophantic acceptance of US torture policies. And Israel gets more than the usual mention.

White House spokesman Scott McClellan says the report is offensive and ridiculous. This is the same hypocrite who thinks the Newsweek Koran-flushing story was an outrageous lie that cost lives (or did it?), but the Pentagons lies about Pat Tillman's death were quite OK. Makes Saddam's Comical Ali look credible, doesn't he?

Here are some PDF links to the Amnesty Reports, courtesy of the BBC:

Introduction to the 2005 Report

A-Z of Countries in the Amnesty Report