Kristoff is right to use the term in this context, but it means the exact opposite of how he used it.

But the fact of the matter is that Obama would most likely look to "turn the page" on these issues, lest his presidency be mired in (false) accusations that he -- and Democrats generally -- are motivated principally by vengeance against the Bush Administration and its enablers.  Obama, for better or worse, had made it clear time and again that he wants only to look toward the future and not to dwell on or reargue the past.  As for McCain, well, his motivations to avoid this are legion.

these people should be hounded mercilessly, and made to pay personally for the damage they've caused this country, at home and abroad.

Jessep:You can't handle the truth! Son, we live in a world that has walls. And those walls have to be guarded by men with guns. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Lt. Weinberg? I have a greater responsibility than you can possibly fathom. You weep for Santiago and you curse the Marines. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know: that Santiago's death, while tragic, probably saved lives. And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves lives...You don't want the truth. Because deep down, in places you don't talk about at parties, you want me on that wall. You need me on that wall.
We use words like honor, code, loyalty...we use these words as the backbone to a life spent defending something. You use 'em as a punchline. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom I provide, then questions the manner in which I provide it! I'd rather you just said thank you and went on your way. Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a weapon and stand a post. Either way, I don't give a damn what you think you're entitled to!

This is smart for him and his own "legacy", but it essentially guarantees Bush's as well. I imagine he will reverse policy in many ways, but there will be no clear repudiation that we might all prefer. Thus, many of the Bush violations of law and the Constitution will be allowed to sit unchallenged in any official, legal manner, and future Presidents will indeed do exactly as we fear: citing Bush as a legitimizing precedent for futher abuses.

While Obama will certainly not seek a Truth and Reconciliation panel, there would be value in one given the utter lack of accountability we are confronted with. Remember how many people only get their news from the tube. Remember how many falsehoods the Administration has put out that are still believed by many. Remember how the press sold us out and don't think for a minute that they are improved. All this points to the value of getting the real story validated for all those voters who have bought into the lies.

Dave Johnson at Seeing the Forest points our an egregious error by the LATimes.

This is so knowable, MCM doods! The spying began before 9/11. It's a known fact.

Truth Commissions?