I am not a lawyer. I do not play one on television or on the inter-tubes. I do not have a detailed understanding of international law or the Geneva Conventions or the laws of war. So, with that limited understanding, I have been trying to 'wrap my head', so to speak, around the reluctance by the Obama administration and the current congress to investigate the previous administration for suspected war crimes and other alleged illegal actions. I tend to rely on illustrative analogy to understand things or to explain or make a point. I will attempt to do so now.
Many here suspect that the officials in the previous administration have committed crimes. Some go beyond suspicion to conclude that sufficient evidence exists to 'bring a case to a Grand Jury for an indictment'. I would consider myself in that second category. However, it seems that we can't even get the 'police' involved.
I will substitute the idea of Torture with the idea of Date Rape. I use date rape because is precludes the notion that the attacker was unknown. We know who did this. We should not, though, consider that there is any ambiguity of action here. This is not, I feel, a case of not wanting to have sex and being had anyway.
No, this was a violent sexual attack we are alleging. The rule of law said no! International law and treaty said no! The suspects are accused of violating US despite our objection! A brutal rape of civil liberties, human rights and fundamental decency was committed in the name of freedom, democracy and America, herself.
It is unconscionable that in the face of these accusations and our demands for an investigation, at least, the current administration is essentially telling us, "I don't want to...". In the face of a crime of this magnitude, a crime against humanity, for that is our accusation, doing nothing is tantamount to obstructing justice and perhaps being an accessory after the fact.
Mr President, we can not move forward. We need closure. We need to investigate fully and prosecute all criminals, without exception or excuse. We can not ignore the crimes of the past no matter how painful and ugly. We can not compromise our laws for political expediency. Mr & Mrs Obama, Barack, Michele, we feel RAPED! We can not just go take a shower and try to forget about it.
No! We. Can. Not!