There's a piece in the Times this morning about the so-called bind that Attorney General Eric Holder finds himself in about whether to investigate the interrogation methods of terrorist suspects after 9/11 in order to determine if some of these methods constituted crimes. On the one hand, the piece says, there is plenty of evidence to suggest that crimes were committed. Holder himself supported the release of documents earlier this year that showed that the Bush administration had authorized "head-slapping, wall-slamming, and waterboarding." On the other hand, an investigation -- even a narrow one, aimed at lower-level CIA personnel -- might develop into a full-blown inquiry that reaches to the top of the Bush White House and creates what President Obama has said he wants to avoid: a "backward-looking" distraction.
But President Obama has also said flatly that "criminal acts should be prosecuted." So I'm sorry, but there really is no bind except the one created by a political agenda. If the means that are used to accomplish the president's ends, no matter how worthy, consist partly of ignoring criminal acts, his accomplishments will be automatically less worthy. In fact, in order to elect this president in the first place, millions of Americans had to take a "backward look" at our nation's and often their own racial attitudes and history, come to terms with them, and then move forward to transcend them. With regard to the possibly -- no, probably -- heinous acts committed in terrorist interrogations by the Bush administration, there is similarly no really moving forward possible without looking backward first. So do your job, Mr. Holder. This is exactly what I'm paying you for.
I didn't have to take a "backward look" because of my racial attitudes. It was clear to me from the beginning, and in spite of the rhetoric that this man is a leftist, with more than enough racial baggage to go around, as exhibited in last night's press conference. My decision not to vote for him was not based on his color, but rather a combination of his obvious radical racial associations, and his extreme leftist proclivities.
"but there really is no bind except the one created by a political agenda. If the means that are used to accomplish the president's ends, no matter how worthy, consist partly of ignoring criminal acts, his accomplishments will be automatically less worthy"
There's really nowhere for him look as politician, except forward; so far, he's done nothing that could be considered worthy (for the good of the Republic), and he's right on target to replace Jimmy Carter as THE worst President of ALL time. In 3 1/2 years, he can take a "backward look" at that...
Next, we will take our politicians out of their required duties and use taxpayer dollars to investigate whether or not some high official used an offensive "Yo Mama" joke.
In looking backward, let us look at 2001-2008 in retrospect of the rest of history. "Head Slapping"? really?
If we are truly concerned with a little "head slapping", we are a pathetic nation that deserves its demise.
Let's not let our uneducated, civilian minds think for one second that we know all and have it all covered when it comes to politics and international affairs. A little spanking never did anyone any harm.
Saddam Hussein. Now, what shall we say of that man's tactics. Oh, yes. His country. Should have left him be...
These were adults manhandling other humans in their custody, contrary to law.
They beat and tortured and humiliated people who had not been convicted of any crime. Some of those people were certainly innocent. We don't know who was guilty.
We're a nation of laws. We must follow them, whether we're afraid of terrorists or not.
Prosecute, Holder.
those held in our custody.Its amazing how many people are willing to let murder get swept under
the rug,and have no shame in letting the people responsible openly ignore the treaties that that
our country has signed.Sadly Holder and Obama are among them.
On Bush/ Cheney watch - 9/11/2001 occured 8 months into their term.
War in Iraq and Afghanistan- $13,000,000,000.00 every month since 2003!
5,000 + dead service men and women.
$5 TRILLION added to the deficet.
Collapse of World economies, because of de-regulation and no-regulation in Wall St and Banking. Manufacturing completely dissapearing, gone to Asia.
Border wide open.
Bush failed miserably and should be held accountable.
The nation has truly become the home of mass murderers, torturers, liars, thieves, and profiteering corporations. Look at what's happening to Health Care Reform. 50 million people have no health insurance, and now, even Democrats are running away from the nations mission statement, the Preamble, which says that we are to "promote the general welfare." No one wants to stand up to monied interests. No one. Obama's words are hollow, just as the Democratic Party's platforms and mission statements are hollow. Whoever pays, plays. There will never be campaign finance reform because lobbyists will dish out ever more money to prevent it. Care to differ? Well, "watch and learn."
When Obama says he wants to look forward, not backward, how convenient for him politically.
Ignoring crimes is moving backward. The pursuit of justice is moving forward.
So, torture did work. It got people to lie so then U.S. officials could take those lies to the world to justify an otherwise unjustifiable war.
Torture wasn't something that the interrogators were asking for. It came down from the top. Real interrogators are opposed to torture. They have more subtle techniques for getting people to talk. Techniques that get accurate information. They don't like torture because it produces inaccurate information.
The truth must come out. People don't want to see how evil their government is. They want to believe that the U.S. is good and pure. The rest of the world knows how evil the U.S. government is. Now, the American people need to know.
Please investigate and bring charges.
But do not bring up their "defense" before an investigation is done or charges are brought. That is not how criminal cases work. That is not how our criminal justice system works.
If they have some valid defense, they can bring it up at trial and see if the jury buys it. That's what every other criminal defendant has to do. You either take a plea or you roll the dice and see if the jury will buy your defense.
But, these are powerful people, not like most criminal defendants, who are poor and powerless. That is the only reason these guys get to bring up their "defense" ahead of time and keep charges from being brought.
include war crimes can be done with no cosequences.
Somebody remind Mr. Holder that we are a nation of laws. If you break those laws you must be held accountable. MUST.
You people are a riot. And you sit there and wonder why the Christ Child is sinking in the polls. Keep it up, but ask yourself why it is the Obama is not as eager as you people are to address this issue. Think about, and if you already have, think about it some more.