The Obama Administration has made a grave error by not prosecuting those who committed torture in our names. For two reasons.
- While Uncle Fester is Adorable, His Namesake is a Monster
Olbermann did a great job on the long-term problem with not prosecuting those who tortured in our names. In short: you cannot sweep this kind of thing under the rug because it will mold and fester and then eat its way right through the rug and the floorboards, and the walls, right to the foundation of our Republic.
- Poor Tactics
I think Team Obama is playing ball on people who torture in our name for tactical reasons. I think they are trying to accomplish many big things now, and have calculated that it is better not to take on the national security elite and not appear weak to the Right so that they can get through Congress their legislative agenda.
I think this is poor tactics. A good rogues gallery of bad guys who committed torture in our names and the Bush Administration enablers who enabled/encouraged torture in our names goes a long way. It goes a long way in getting people behind you: the old tale of the monster eating the villagers and the hero who slays it. Holder would look good in shiny armor.
And as for appearing weak to the Right? Irrelevant. The Right is, now what was that word...oh yeah.
Inconsequential.
Other, then, of course, providing America much amusement and our side a easy whiping boy -- if you'll pardon the expression.
But as much as I disagree with Team Obama, this is not a deal breaker for me. Despite this terrible call on not prosecuting those who torture in our names, I still trust you Mr. Obama.
I think we are in the midst of a sea-change in the political landscape, like the change to Reaganism which replaced the New Deal Coalition before it. America is rapidly becoming a center/left country in name as well as in fact. Now is time for change, the time to drive towards the center and capture it for a generation and more. And to accomplish this, I will put aside my disagreement for the sake of party discipline, for staying on message, and supporting my elected representatives.
I still trust you to do right by America.
Do not let me down.
**UPDATE**
Here is a good diary articulating the important point that Obama would not have released the torture memos if he truly wanted the Bush War Crimes Era to vanish down the memory hole. Kindly link to REC.
Hat tip to friend tbetz for bringing this to this thread.