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Why The Torture Issue Can't Be Swept Under The Rug, Part II

By Big Tent Democrat, Section Civil Liberties
Posted on Sun Jan 18, 2009 at 11:35:01 AM EST
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The NYTimes published an editorial today that explains why the torture issue can not be swept under the rug:

We have heard a lot of talk about how the country needs to look forward and not backward. We certainly would like to forget the horrors of the last eight years. But you cannot fix something before you know exactly how it is broken. The clandestine system Mr. Bush and Mr. Cheney have built will not give up its secrets easily.

To ensure that the abuses stop, Mr. Obama and his administration will have to work hard to find out all that has happened. They will have to locate and override all of the policy memos, directives and executive orders that have redefined and condoned torture and other abuses. . . .

The question now is plain - DOES the Obama Administration wish to "ensure that the abuses stop?" Let's hope it does. In any event, we must demand that all necessary steps are taken to "ensure that the abuses stop."

Speaking for me only

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    Why The Torture Issue Can't Be Swept Under The Rug, Part II | 6 comments (6 topical)

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    Great Editorial (5.00 / 2) (#1)
    by squeaky on Sun Jan 18, 2009 at 12:02:28 PM EST
    No equivocation. Obama needs to make a clean break from BushCo systemic abuse of the rule of law. Find the secret prisons and shut them down. Eliminate the Military commission act. And try Bush Cheney, Gonzales, and all those who broke the law.

    A great deal of sunshine is in order here to expose and disinfect the most secret administration ever, and their sick unamerican legacy.

    Clean the bed before you lay down in it (5.00 / 1) (#2)
    by blogtopus on Sun Jan 18, 2009 at 12:22:59 PM EST
    If you puke, or worse, in your bed, doesn't it behoove one to at least change the sheets?

    Nope. We must look forward!!

    It is perfectly consistent with (none / 0) (#3)
    by pluege on Sun Jan 18, 2009 at 01:36:39 PM EST
    looking forward to investigate the past 8 years of criminalaity up to hilt. The past is the future and the choice is clear:

    1. If we investigate, the foreseeable future has the chance to be crime and torture free, and America has the opportunity to regain its moral standing and sauthority.
    2. If Obama and leading Congresspersons block and cover-up the past 8 years of bush regime criminality, including the culpability of current high level Democrats, the future holds only more of the same criminality and erosion of American principles, moral authority, and standing.

    Obama's and leading Congresspersons' (including republicans) decision could not be more stark or consequential.

    It takes time to prepare a case (none / 0) (#4)
    by Molly Bloom on Sun Jan 18, 2009 at 04:46:38 PM EST
    Wednesday is soon enough to disabuse Bush and Cheney of their notion that pardons are not necessary.

    Obama has done (none / 0) (#5)
    by NYShooter on Mon Jan 19, 2009 at 03:22:15 PM EST
    the political calculations;Talk Left, a site frequented by issue oriented attorneys, thinks the issue is really important; four posts, the last 24 hrs ago.

    I wonder if O.B. actually said "okie dokey" as he tossed "the rule of law" under the bus, along with all those other "unthinkable" positions, that became very thinkable when his perfect patina was threatened.  

    Anyone here think (none / 0) (#6)
    by jondee on Mon Jan 19, 2009 at 03:58:26 PM EST
    you can have a war without torture, rape, murder, child abuse etc etc?

    Name one.

    But, talking about ending war is too radical and unrealistic a concept according to the recieved wisdom; after all, there are supposedly such things as "good wars". And Hitler, and all the others that "have to be stopped" (as soon as we finish arming and financing them), would certainly agree.

    Why The Torture Issue Can't Be Swept Under The Rug, Part II | 6 comments (6 topical)

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