I have been a keen supporter of President Obama so far and am very impressed with his leadership at this very difficult time. I know that he has to deal with "Real Politic" and that he cannot do, right away, some of the things that some of us expect. He will have his work cut out taking on "Corporate America" as well as all the members of Congress and the Senate who are working as much for corporations as they are for their constituents back home who elected them one vote at a time.
There is one issue of outstanding importance however which I feel needs to be addressed and I write about it in my diary. I know that this an historic occasion in American political life but there are moral and legal issues to be addressed which are difficult and painful but potentially destructive to us as a society and a member of the World Community.
I am saddened and disheartened as I go to sleep tonight.I have watched and listened with nothing but enthusiasm to most everything that President Obama has said. I believe, still, that he is a good man, a smart man and an honest man but I am deeply disturbed that he will not take on the issue of justice for detainees who have been murdered, kidnapped and tortured.It is vital that we as a nation face up to what was done in our name by employees of our government under orders from people in the Bush administration.
We cannot sweep this terrible failing under the rug as like all such things it will fester there and undermine all that we as a nation are trying to achieve. If we are to become the progressive nation that we all want to be we must be mature enough as a society to face up to what we have done and to bring the perpetrators to justice.
If our domestic laws are to have any meaning they must apply to all Americans. A wealthy elite group cannot thumb their noses at the law that every other American resident is subject to. If we let the torturers away with their crimes we in effect say to all Americans that there is indeed one law for the rich and powerful and another law for everyone else.
Regarding our obligations under International law we are OBLIGED to prosecute torturers. Under the United Nations Convention on torture which we signed and ratified we HAVE TO prosecute the torturers. That law recognizes NO circumstances, NONE, where torture is justified. Our obligation is very clear.
I feel that if President Obama does not instruct the Justice Department to begin a criminal prosecution he will risk losing the heartfelt support of many people like me. I will still support his efforts to build a rational and compassionate society but I will do so with a heavy heart and the conviction that the rich and powerful of both parties live in a world of privilege, irresponsibility and unaccountability.
Please let's do all we can to encourage this good president to pursue justice for us all.