Don Siegelman Disagrees With Obama On Investigating Bush

During his press conference on Monday evening, President Obama pledged to look forwards rather than backwards when it came to investigating the misdeeds of the Bush administration. It was a carefully crafted answer, designed to neither anger nor encourage individuals either side of this contentious issue. For possible victims of legal and political injustice during the Bush years, however, it wasn't nearly enough.

Don Siegelman, the former Governor of Alabama arrested on trumped up bribery charges allegedly linked to Karl Rove, wrote the Huffington Post on Tuesday to offer his opinion of Obama's answer.

Today, with a new President, everything seems brighter, more vibrant. There is a sense of hope, a new optimism... we can see change for the better coming....piercing the dark, pain of the past eight years.

I appreciate the president's desire to fix the problems created by the Bush Administration saying in part: "...let's get it right moving forward."

However, if those who have abused their power are allowed to get away with it, then it is more likely to happen again. We have seen our American Democracy threatened, our constitutional rights abused and our system of Justice subverted. We know the Bush Administration led us into war under false pretenses, used illegal wiretaps and torture to get information and used the Department of Justice as a political weapon to win elections.

For the country to safely move forward we must repair the damage done to the foundations of our democracy. That starts with digging until we get the truth as Chairman John Conyers has been doing and as Senator Leahy is now proposing and holding accountable those who have abused their power.

Restoring justice and preserving our democracy requires nothing less and that would in itself be a great legacy for our new President.

Siegelman was pivoting off of a speech given on Monday by Senator Patrick Leahy, who pushed the creation of a truth and reconciliation commission to investigate the Bush years. On Monday, Obama said he had not read Leahy's proposal and, as such, couldn't render an opinion on it. His aides have said they would provide an answer to the Huffington Post when one is formulated.

The president did say that people -- presumably Bush officials included -- "should be prosecuted just like any ordinary citizen," implicitly suggesting that if illegality is proven it would be brought to court. But, he added, "Generally speaking, I'm more interested in looking forward than I am in looking backwards. I want to pull everybody together, including, by the way, the -- all the members of the intelligence community who have done things the right way and have been working hard to protect America and I think sometimes are painted with a broad brush without adequate information."

Comments

[socks1]

Opps, hit the wrong key.......­..........­....I'm with Don.......­.......

[socks1]

I'm with Ron on how important uprooting the injustices created by the previous administration is vital, before trust in Federal governance can begin from the people harmed by the lieing thieving and murderous Bush Administration.

The only clean break possible comes when criminality is comfronted and criminals are brought to justice. Too many people were harmed to play patsycake with the new Obama DOJ, until they do their jobs.

[Pamela39]

I'm sorry, but going after President Bush is counterproductive to the extreme business we have at hand. Is this merely payback for the impeachment of Bill Clinton? I cannot believe that anyone would blatantly try to tear down a former President, and I'm a democrat. Believe me, the far-left tactics of ire and outright mouth-foaming that has gone on for years will bury the democrats one day.

Is this what we have become? Certainly, as President Obama stated, if there was a crime (real crime) committed then we should pursue this avenue. But, in all reality, there IS no crime if only in the minds of those who hate so terribly.

GET OVER IT as the Eagle's sing!

[wm1066]

Wow, into denial much! Your not making any sense. The list of crimes by our previous president and our present Republicans is legion. Lets start with outing a CIA agent in times of war then go to braking the Geneva Conventions, then lets talk about how bush...wel­l your not listening anyway so whats the point of spelling it out to you.

[aFlyoverPerson]

I'm sorry, back to you. These abuses were not some trivial thing we can "get over." If we give a pass on the siegelman, plame, torture, wiretapping, rendition, secrecy, etc. etc. etc. it sends the message to future administrations that it is all OK and you will never suffer any consequences for wrecking lives, killing entire populations, stealing fortunes. And the present administration, congress and justice department will own the blame for the rest of time. No. We must face it and deal with it.

[pepperdude]

Are your arguments allegations or facts? Because it seems like you're dispensing summary justice. You are judge, jury and executioner. Could any Bush appointee and Bush himself ever get a fair trial in your corner of the world? You know the truth already. Why bother to go thru this American thing called "innocent before proven guilty"?

[FreeRange]

Get your head out of .... the sand... and get yourself educated before you start washing your hands. The case of Don Siegelman, the former Governor of Alabama, is one of the grossest miscarriages of justice in recent memory and was orchestrated out of the Bush white house by none other than Karl Rove, who should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law, along with his cohorts.

[bygollymissmolly]

Crimes have been committed and people in the Bush Crime Family have admitted to committing them. The only reason why we weren't in a position to prosecute before Obama took office is because of the complete and total shutdown the Bush Administration did as far as honoring subpoenas and requests for documentation.

The Bush Crime Family must pay for their crimes and it has nothing at all to do with Bill Clinton. It has everything to do with restoring the honor of this country.

If we don't prosecute the Bush Crime Family, the international community will. And how embarrassing will that be that we can't even take out our own garbage?

[AndThenOneDay]

I don't think it can be avoided. Much as Obama would like to focus on the economy and the wars, the Bush years can't be swept under the rug.

It's not like bi-partisanship can go worse than it has already if Justice opens investigations on Bush & co.

[marinade]

The Don Siegelman situation must be rectified.

When people like Rove can have innocent Americans sent to prison, it's time to re-establish law and order.

If the Obama administration does nothing, then this kind of crime will undoubtedly happen again.