Bangladesh: A Precedent for the President?

The government of Bangladesh has arrested the country's former leader on corruption charges. Predictably, the leader's supporters cry foul, claiming that the arrest was politically motivated. More information is available at http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/6976614.stm. Just such a response can be expected if anyone in the U.S. attempts legal action against George W. Bush after he leaves the White House. If so, those who sincerely believe that he abused his powers should take courage from the Bangladeshi example. The BBC article describes the current regime as dominated by the military, so they're probably no angels, but maybe more inclined to take action against a despised political class. In any event, for some people in this country the main argument against prosecuting any former President for war crimes or other offenses is that taking such action will have the appearance of partisanship. Others would also warn that arresting Bush would set a precedent for tit-for-tat prosecutions so long as we have a party system. These considerations are worth noting, but the most important consideration in any circumstance is to do the right thing. Let the consequences be what they may.