Spring Break
Torture decision a troubling precedent
Kevin Hollinshead
Issue date: 4/20/09 Section: Opinion
President Obama's condemnation of torture has proven only rhetorical so far.
On Thursday, memos to the CIA written by senior Bush administration lawyers that provided the legal rationale for the authorization of water-boarding and other harsh methods of interrogation, were made public.
While Obama's insistence on making these memos public sends an acknowledgment of culpability to the rest of the world, he did not go far enough. He has stated that he will not prosecute these interrogators, which may be setting a chilling precedent.
Obama ran for president on the notion that he would bring a new sense of accountability absent from the federal government under Dubya, and, for the most part, he has delivered.
He has taken steps in fixing a tanking economy, begun a new peace process with "evildoers" such as Iraq, Afghanistan, and Iran and has started rebuilding our image abroad.
Yet, dating back to his last summer in the Senate, Obama has not yet taken a real stand on civil rights issues pertaining to the War on Terror.
He voted in favor of a Bush-sponsored bill granting immunity to telecom companies that engaged in wiretap programs to spy on American citizens in the name of national security. He has also dodged questions about whether he'll start an investigation into possible criminal activity relating to torture by Bush, Dick Cheney, Karl Rove or any other Bushies.
He does deserve credit for closing Guantanamo Bay, which served as the symbol of the Bush administration's quiet nod of approval toward torture. That said, its relationship to the issue is like Queen Elizabeth's relationship with Britain: While both make headlines, they hold no real influence in policy-making.
In justifying his decision not to prosecute CIA agents involved in torture, or those that crafted the memos, Obama stated a desire to "move forward, as opposed to looking back."
While this sentiment may apply nicely to getting dumped by a significant other, torture by the CIA under the watchful eye of the Bush administration is a whole different animal. Saying you're ready to move on from something like this does little to nothing in terms of preventing egregious policy such as this from happening again.
On Thursday, memos to the CIA written by senior Bush administration lawyers that provided the legal rationale for the authorization of water-boarding and other harsh methods of interrogation, were made public.
While Obama's insistence on making these memos public sends an acknowledgment of culpability to the rest of the world, he did not go far enough. He has stated that he will not prosecute these interrogators, which may be setting a chilling precedent.
Obama ran for president on the notion that he would bring a new sense of accountability absent from the federal government under Dubya, and, for the most part, he has delivered.
He has taken steps in fixing a tanking economy, begun a new peace process with "evildoers" such as Iraq, Afghanistan, and Iran and has started rebuilding our image abroad.
Yet, dating back to his last summer in the Senate, Obama has not yet taken a real stand on civil rights issues pertaining to the War on Terror.
He voted in favor of a Bush-sponsored bill granting immunity to telecom companies that engaged in wiretap programs to spy on American citizens in the name of national security. He has also dodged questions about whether he'll start an investigation into possible criminal activity relating to torture by Bush, Dick Cheney, Karl Rove or any other Bushies.
He does deserve credit for closing Guantanamo Bay, which served as the symbol of the Bush administration's quiet nod of approval toward torture. That said, its relationship to the issue is like Queen Elizabeth's relationship with Britain: While both make headlines, they hold no real influence in policy-making.
In justifying his decision not to prosecute CIA agents involved in torture, or those that crafted the memos, Obama stated a desire to "move forward, as opposed to looking back."
While this sentiment may apply nicely to getting dumped by a significant other, torture by the CIA under the watchful eye of the Bush administration is a whole different animal. Saying you're ready to move on from something like this does little to nothing in terms of preventing egregious policy such as this from happening again.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 11
jimmy
posted 4/20/09 @ 8:29 AM MST
Two people being water-boarded for the national security of the United States is hardly, "gross violations of human rights." This was done to two inmates, who were top Al Qaeda operatives. (Continued…)
Registered Independent
posted 4/20/09 @ 8:58 AM MST
Possible "criminal activity" by the prior administration? You are in fantasy land.
That was always nothing more than contrived DNC propaganda, to get the naive Eloi revved up to get out the vote. (Continued…)
Registered 420 Jimmy
posted 4/21/09 @ 2:16 PM MST
The first observation is that neither Jimmy nor Registered Independent could apparently wait until 4:20 p.m. before partaking of some of Hawley's medical 420. (Continued…)
jimmy
posted 4/22/09 @ 7:28 AM MST
Daniel Pearl not Quail... my mistake. My point about Daniel Pearl is still valid, but your probably an anti-Semite so you could care less. Only cowards post without a consistent name, but we already knew you were a coward based off what you say. (Continued…)
Registered 420 Jimmy
posted 4/22/09 @ 2:39 PM MST
Jimmy's 420 early morning haze in Evergreen, Colorado has him making lots of assumptions that he can't validate.
I'll ignore the assumptions that I'm "an anti-Semite" and "could care less. (Continued…)
Registered Independent
posted 4/22/09 @ 3:32 PM MST
Response to "Registered 420 Jimmy",
Another "posting from Pluto", courtesy of Max Bridges.
Hello Max. Just released from a stint in the looney bin? Or perhaps you have been in prison again. (Continued…)
Chunk
posted 4/23/09 @ 11:51 AM MST
This is a highly enjoyable thread! Thanks to all who have contributed.
Registered Independent
posted 4/23/09 @ 12:00 PM MST
To Mr. Hollinshead,
Here's a conundrum for you Mr. Hollinshead.
Congress has oversight of the CIA.
Members of Congress were secretly briefed by the CIA over 30 times on the terror interrogations, and they signed off on them. (Continued…)
Craig Hawley
posted 4/24/09 @ 1:04 AM MST
Nice post Reg Indy. Great to see you still educating some folks.
Registered 420 Jimmy
posted 4/26/09 @ 5:22 AM MST
Registered Independent,
Political witch hunt? No. That would be what was done by Starr with Clinton, only it was really a dick hunt.
We'd like to go Dick hunting now: Cheney that is. (Continued…)
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