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[bigtree]

65. I know

. . . but, in the next moment, it's motivating.

How sanguine and satisfied some of the responses from Democrats seemed Friday in response to his mouthing of the word 'torture.' Then comes the realization that he's already used that term and that he's already placed his presidency in the way of prosecutions - and that, notwithstanding his executive directive banning torture, the order can be easily undone by a hostile future president.

We're now faced with the same awe-struck response from many Democrats when this historic report is finally revealed - and we will come to the same realization that we're only seeing what the WH and politicians will allow in that executive summary, and that merely pointing to crimes and abuses is no substitute for actual action to hold felons accountable; prosecutions which would make these practices and policies as dangerous for the practitioners as they are for the victims of the abuses.

I think much of the 'discouragement' comes from regarding this Democratic president as the last word on our progressive goals. He never was; never will be. Overcoming the shortfalls of this Democratic presidency has always been, and will always be the challenge of our progressive politics.

It can be discouraging, I know. Politics is designed to accommodate cynicism beyond the point where our elected officials intend to go. Yet, we are the progressive politics, much more than the individuals we choose to elevate and advance those ideals in our democratic system.

The status quo relies on that discouragement. Our progressive politics demands that we never allow ourselves to believe that we can't achieve better.