We Don't Need Another Spanish Inquisition

Liberal bloggers and cable outlets have been having loads of fun with the prospect that Spain may indict former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and other top Bush administration officials on charges of torture and war crimes.

Liberal bloggers and cable outlets have been having loads of fun with the prospect that Spain may indict former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and other top Bush administration officials on charges of torture and war crimes. But this is nothing to joke about. It's a serious, politically inspired attack on U.S. sovereignty, President Obama ought to speak out forcefully to nip it in the bud.

The Spanish indictments, if they are granted, are unlikely to result in arrests. Certainly, the U.S. would never turn the officials involved over to Spain, but the charges could make it difficult for the ex-officials to travel abroad. More important, it sets a dangerous precedent and we need to tell Spain in no uncertain terms to mind its own business. Let it go after the atrocities in the Sudan or civil rights in Russia before it gets involved in U.S. affairs.

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Mark Willen
Senior Political Editor, The Kiplinger Letter