Criticism Grows Of Obama's Decision Not To Prosecute CIA Agents

[babylonsister]

Marcus Baram
Opposition Grows To Obama's Decision Not To Prosecute CIA Agents

"Nothing will be gained by spending our time and energy laying blame for the past." - President Barack Obama


From the New York Times editorial page to the United Nations, there seems to be growing criticism of the Obama administration's decision not to prosecute CIA agents who tortured detainees.

In the New York Times editorial on Sunday, the paper lashed Obama, demanding a "commitment to accountability." The same editorial called for the impeachment of federal appeals court judge Jay Bybee, former assistant U.S. attorney general and author of the torture memos:

In the case of detainee abuse, Mr. Obama assured C.I.A. operatives that they would not be prosecuted for actions that their superiors told them were legal. We have never been comfortable with the "only following orders" excuse, especially because Americans still do not know what was actually done or who was giving the orders.

After eight years without transparency or accountability, Mr. Obama promised the American people both. His decision to release these memos was another sign of his commitment to transparency. We are waiting to see an equal commitment to accountability.

Manfred Nowak, the UN rapporteur on torture, says that the US must try those who used harsh interrogation tactics in accordance with the UN Convention Against Torture.

more...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/04/19/opposition-grows-to-obama_n_188768.html

[NYC_SKP]

1. He released the memos. He released them for a reason.

That point is too subtle, I guess, for the huffington post and NYT.

For a new administration to insist on vigorously prosecuting the prior administration is bad form, it's "playing checkers".

He released the memos.

He's doing it right.

[NanceGreggs]

2. Oh, yes ...

... he plays chess, not checkers - and he plays to win.

[bigtree]

4. looks like tiddlywinks, to me

. . . in the eye of the beholder, I guess

[NanceGreggs]

8. Oh, yeah ...

... the Eye of the Beholder has a lot to do with it.

[Psychic Consortium]

15. You are correct.

The pieces are being moved.
One by one.
And he will win.

[Egnever]

6. it's like poetry

Please dont throw me in the briar patch!

[Deja Q]

11. Well said. Bush would have gone after Clinton's staff...

No pun intended; especially when repubes went after that pun while Clinton was still in office...

[NYC_SKP]

17. Thank you.

Seems pretty simple to me.

I'm a "big picture" person.

:donut:

[Psychic Consortium]

14. You are 100% correct.

Laying the foundation.
Presenting the facts.
Then it is up to the people to decide the next step.

[BlooInBloo]

3. It's almost like Obama's putting himself in a position where they'll "force" him...

to go along with investigations/prosecutions.

[Egnever]

5. imagine that

man hes an idiot Impeach now!

[Berry Cool]

10. I only hope you are all right.

"I didn't really want to, you understand...I was made to against my will..."

Please let it be so.

[Psychic Consortium]

16. You are correct.

The pieces are being put in place.

[FrenchieCat]

7. How come the fucking New York Time didn't call for impeachment of Bush

When they had a chance. :wtf:

Maybe they shouldn't have been so Gun-ho to get us into war.
Perhaps that would have saved a whole lot of lives. :eyes:

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

13. Odd reaction, attacking the messenger. The NYT has been derelict in their duty to

the people but why no outrage about not prosecuting torturers?

[zeemike]

9. It kind of puts the Repugs in a funny position

They can't use it as a wedge issue to split the Dem's so they will have to rely on the liberals and the media to do it for them.

[deacon]

12. He said he wanted to build a foundation. You can't do that without dealing with the past.

He's full of shit and NOW a major disappointment.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

18. His protection of obvious criminals is being seen for what it is. Politics at it's ugliest.

But, of course, the apologists here would have applauded and/or made up scenarios of brilliant secret plans if Bush had done the same...wouldn't they?