Some folks seem more OK with the defense of torture and torturers,

[msanthrope]

158. I am surprised that a Nixon aficionado (given your avatar, and your prior posts on Nixon) does not

know the answer to this. After all, this was the gravamen of impeachment against Nixon.

The President cannot order the AG to come to a legal conclusion. The President, as a matter of fact, cannot order the AG to do anything, except under the auspices of an Executive Order binding on the ordinary business of the DOJ.

So....just as Nixon could not order Archibald Cox to come to legal conclusions about the probe, and therefore, fire the prosecutor, President Obama cannot order Eric Holder to come to a legal conclusion about anything.

What President Obama did do about the DOJ's response to DOMA was right and proper--he asked the AG to review the Administration's stance, provide guidance for the issuance of further Executive Orders, and the White House Counsel provided the AG its own legal summary.

Most importantly...President Obama made sure he picked an excellent AG who would have the courage and conviction to stand up for rights for all.

I am glad you have begun to take an interest in GLBT rights!