There were two major stories in the news last month that caught my eye, first were the stories regarding Bush's pardons; secondly was about possible criminal prosecutions of members of the Bush Administration over torture and warrant-less wiretapping. I had a thought back then, but set it aside. However, both stories are once again in the news and I feel I have to say something, even though in my heart, I don't like it... Here is the thought: What would happen if President Obama were to pardon President Bush?
Now before you think I've jumped off the deep end, please hear me out below the fold.
Bush and Bush's legacy will forever be a black mark on the standing of the US in the World. Even if the Justice Department took on the task of investigating these crimes, it would do little to alleviate that world view. An external investigation and possible war crimes trial would only sink that position further
Furthermore, the country is in about as bad state as can be right now and there is much work to be done to get it straightened out. It won't be easy and as much as I'd love to see Bush indicted, tried and convicted for "high crimes" against the United States citizenry, I also know that it will be a big drain on time and the new administration’s energy and would just suck the life out of America.
While there is little doubt that a great number of us would like to see the Justice Department of the Obama Administration go after those in the Bush Administration that fostered and supported torture, doing so would only create a serious distraction and one that the new administration can ill afford so early in the year. So it begs the question, why not pardon Bush?
A Pardon from Obama of Bush may appear to be the wrong thing to do at first glance, but it serves the new administration in more than one way. First, it relieves the Justice Department of having to prosecute the former President and it also keeps foreign agencies at bay as well. Not something the Obama Administration would want to deal with at any time, let alone in the first 6 months.
Secondly, it makes a statement that Bush is guilty of these crimes (I believe a presidential pardon is supposed to state the crime for which someone is receiving the pardon), without having to actually prove them in a court of law. Think about this for a moment; a pardon would forever place into history the crimes that Bush committed on the American People. No amount of history rewrites by Bush and company will be able to change that fact. Granted they may try, but a pardon is a pardon for crimes committed. Compare this to the way Nixon was regarded after Ford pardoned him.
Third, it shows Obama to be a man of his word that he will go to any length to rid our government of bipartisanship. It would be the ultimate reach across the aisle.
Finally, who would be more upset by Bush being pardoned? I think as upset as liberals would be, the howls coming from the right would be of operatic proportions.
As for Cheney; No Pardon for him Ever.