Obama Gets Kudos from GOP for "Trying to Stop Torture Inquisition" - But "Lefties Won't Let Him

[K Gardner]

And I'm sitting here wondering if I'm the only one who sees the brilliance in Obama's maneuvering on this.

He first says "no prosecuting agents following orders". KUDOS FROM GOP !!

Then he makes a statement that 'somewhat' leaves the door open for those who gave the orders to be investigated - a TORRENTIAL DOWNPOUR of information begins flowing out of government agencies and from individuals.. information that cannot be ignored.

Now he says "No Truth Commission". KUDOS FROM GOP and Talking Heads !! They say he's trying hard to "put the genie back in the bottle, but the left won't let him". The blame now rests squarely on OUR shoulders. I don't mind that at all, BTW.

So, in a couple of moves, he's managed to get the information flowing; managed to give the DoJ a green light to move ahead, and yet immunized himself from the appearance of playing "politics".

They're resigned to it, it seems, today on the Morning Torture Show. Lots of hand-wringing about 'show trials'.. 'Democrats will regret this'... comparisons to McCarthyism.. "I don't know how much of this we WANT to know' memes.. "we must move on", etc.

But no one is blaming Obama.

I love my President. But I'm going to resist making a chess comparison. :-)

[Xipe Totec]

1. I can smell the fear coming from the GOP

and the elephant poop is not hard to spot either.

[CakeGrrl]

2. I agree with this, because

I think it's unrealistic/naive to think that he can give some sort of bravado-filled, Harrison-Ford-in-Air-Force-One-style speech about bringing all the bad guys to justice and having things magically fall into place, especially when those people were not shy about abusing the Constitution and operating a shadow government.

You don't just stride into the White House and say you're going to shake up the entire structure of corruption and not expect to meet resistance. Maybe the man has given it some thought and is trying to figure out how to bring about some measure of justice while managing to live to see his daughters grow up. Anyone who thinks that's overly dramatic should consider the Oliver Stone theory of JFK being assassinated because he wanted to end the Vietnam War and dismantle the CIA.

I don't like to think of how a cornered Dick Cheney would react as things close in on him.

[K Gardner]

3. I'd love to see this response expanded into an OP.. very insightful and well-written. Agreed.

[Hekate]

4. Very very well-said. nt

[lame54]

5. are we his scapegoats?

[K Gardner]

8. I'll gladly be that if we get justice or at least an accounting for war crimes committed.

[polichick]

15. Maybe we're his "operatives." :)

[havocmom]

19. No, we are THE PEOPLE and in a representative democracy, we are the deciders

He is teaching that important lesson to a population that has too many people who never got Civics 101.

He is leading us, inviting us, to take part in our government. He knows that is the only way to safeguard the principles this nation was founded upon. We The People HAVE to take part and instruct our elected representative as to the course WE choose for our nation.

Too many Americans think "SOMEBODY has to do something about ...." WRONG! In a democracy, SOMEBODY is us and we had best be keeping that in mind, setting aside time to learn about issues and time to let OUR EMPLOYEES in government know what we demand of them.

I love it! He is teaching Americans how to step up and restore America. That is the ONLY way America survives beyond being just a name and a PR gimmick.

[FrenchieCat]

23. No, we are not his scapegoats....cause we want what we want.

Looking beyond that is useless.

[lwcon]

6. Maybe Obama should propose suspending all national and international law!

When people rise to defend the Constitution, Geneva Conventions, etc., he won't get blamed, and we'll get the bestest and mostest laws evah!

[empyreanisles]

7. Prosecutions will tear this country apart and will create racial strife

It sounds outrageous but the white racists will see this as a black man trying to bring down a white administration that was only "keeping america safe".

It doesn't matter if Obama stays above the fray, he will still be "blamed" for it.

[K Gardner]

9. Torture, an immoral/illegal war, lies and greed have torn this country apart. The racists

hated Obama before and that won't change. This country has been torn apart for awhile now.

[lwcon]

10. Is there a list of laws that can be enforced under Obama? n/t

[greguganus]

11. Good question. n/t

[ShortnFiery]

21. NO! That's what the GOP wants you to think. You don't cower away from what's MORALLY sound.

Especially since these horrific acts were done in "our name."

I will not cower from those evil bastards in the GOP. I live among right wingers, if you get right in their face and take them on, they either swear at you or ask to change the subject.

They have NO GAME. :thumbsdown:

[SemiCharmedQuark]

12. I don't know why the GOP is happy about no Truth Commision. With a truth commission, the GOP gains

a couple advantages:

First, the commission would have to be bipartisan.
Secondly, if past commissions are any indication, generally the worst commissions do is say 'mistakes were made...but in good faith' Truth commissions are a great way to close the door on an important issue permanently with little actual harm inflicted on the offending party.

If left to the Justice Dept, they might actually...follow the law---bipartisanship be damned.

[DevonRex]

14. Because they're stupid. :)

[Thrill]

13. Obama should just leave up to Holder. This truth commision is bullshit

nothing will come from that.

It will really get interesting when Dawn Johnston finally gets confirmed at OLC

[HopeOverFear]

16. *IF* she ever gets confirmed. They're already blocking her

they're not exactly gonna roll the red carpet out for her now.

[Ganja Ninja]

17. Yup. He seems to be using the same playbook on Marijuana ...

legalization. He proclaims he has no interest in legalization then yesterday Jim Webb comes out and says it must be on the table as part of prison reform. He doesn't champion the more controversial issues. He lets others do it for him.

[havocmom]

18. Yep. He got us to rise up and make a fuss, forcing the issue

Now, it seems, he is goading us to make the next move on the chess board. Good leadership. He is making sure We The People get involved in democracy again. That is the only way to save it.

[Fire1]

20. Pretty shrewd, indeed.

[Vinca]

22. It's always surprising how much smarter the POTUS is than the rest of us.

[grantcart]

24. He is also 100% correct about making sure that it doesn't become partisan.

Any Democrats who were involved should also be held accountable. Anyone in leadership positions should lose their office.


The American people will not support a partisan approach, and the President has wisely kept that in mind.

[DearAbby]

25. Lay the blame on our shoulders

I dont mind being on the right side of history.