Torture Memos -- Next Step

Despite some domestic criticism, the president was correct in releasing the largely un-redacted Bush era "torture memos". If we are a nation of laws, then all must be held accountable before the law. The memos are, on the one hand, horrifying in their cold and near ruthless attention to the details of each of the "techniques" used in "enhanced interrogation". They are also an abomination, representing, as they do, a deliberate effort to circumvent and defile the law.

What these men did is a disgrace to our country. What the president has done makes it possible to restore our lost honor. This brave act of transparency must now be followed by specific steps to hold Bush administration officials accountable for what they have done. I can accept the president's determination that the interrogators, themselves, not be prosecuted, (although, this is still troubling); but he was right to not close the door to holding accountable those who sent the torturers out to do their heinous deeds. We do not need another Abu Ghraib situation, where only the lowest level personnel are punished, and those who gave the orders and justified these crimes, escape unscathed. The very honor of our country requires that justice be done.

By the way, if we do not hold these former officials accountable for their deeds, we can forget about issuing next year's "Human Rights Report". Who would take it seriously?

Comments

[Borborigny]

Perhaps the reason you are troubled, Mr. Zogby, by the President not prosecuting the criminals at the low end of the chain, is because failing to prosecute them is criminal in itself.

The President is duty bound and morally obligated to prosecute everyone who ordered, justified, concealed, abetted or committed these crimes to the fullest extent of the law. Anthing less is shameful.

[indrakaran]

Justice is not about retribution or vengeance, it is about understanding and knowing the true nature of things, Forgiveness and pardon can only come when we know the truth, difference and the nature of acts.
Without truth how do we know whom to forgive and whom to uphold.
Then there is no difference between Jesus and his crucifiers.
In order for the world to be better place and peaceful we do have need for truth, so that we know the difference, otherwise a friend who knocks on your door and the murderer with a gun are one and the same, if that is what we wish the world to be.
None of these actions are accidental and innocent no matter who the victims are.