Putting the torture shame behind us (Vallejo Times Herald)

[struggle4progress]

... his is a time for reflection, not retribution," Obama said. "... Nothing will be gained by spending our time and energy laying blame for the past."

Mr. President, we respectfully disagree. This is not about retribution. This is about seeking truth. We cannot pretend this horrible chapter never happened. History cannot be erased -- and moral responsibility should not be dismissed ...

... the nation deserves to know what role key Bush administration players, including Vice President Dick Cheney, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, Attorneys General John Ashcroft and Alberto Gonzales, and even President George W. Bush had in pushing for torture approval.

That's not to say that there should be penalties or criminal prosecutions. That judgment should be reserved for a later day ...

http://www.timesheraldonline.com/editorial/ci_12225734

[EFerrari]

1. It's going to be really easy to put up the pushback thread tomorrow.

Thank you.

[pat_k]

2. to sentence as payment for the debt owed the state. . .

. . .is "retribution."

When did "retribution" become a dirty word? It is through Criminal Justice that we we judge whether or not the debt is owed in a manner that is as free of passion and prejudice as possible.

ret·ri·bu·tion (rět'rə-byōō'shən) n.

1. Something justly deserved; recompense.
2. Something given or demanded in repayment, especially punishment. . .