So, with Obama's inauguration we are simply to forget the crimes of Bush/Cheney?

[arcadian]

After all, that doesn't mesh with the "change" dialog. The crimes of Bushco are to take up permanent residence in the Alzheimer's ridden, short term memory of America's collective unconscious? We are to just forget about Abu Gahraib, Guantanamo, illegal wars, warrantless wiretapping, the shredding of the U.S. Constitution, etc, etc. When people talk about government surveillance of citizens we will crack wise and shrug it off with a "Eh, that's the way it's always been". And thus has it always been...

[Richardo]

1. That's up to you, I guess

:shrug:

If you mean: "Will the Obama DOJ bring charges?" A: No.

If you mean: "Will all the lies, manipulations and law-breaking come to light? A: I think so.

[aquart]

2. Is that what he said? No investigation?

[AndyA]

3. Obama's AG will investigate the actions of Bush/Cheney, and if any

laws have been broken, charges will be filed.

This came directly from Obama's campaign, as that was one of my main concerns. I did not want to see a "we're going to move forward, and forgive and forget any past wrong doing" crap, and I was assured that would not happen.

[arcadian]

5. I really, really, really hope so.

n/t

[Richardo]

6. I'll be very surprised if that happens

[Solly Mack]

4. I've got a long - long - memory

[Occam Bandage]

7. If you like. However, it's important to note a few things:

1. Obama will not prosecute Bush. No President has ever prosecuted his predecessor. Ever. This is not about to change.

2. That does not mean that Bush's crimes are going to remain untreated. Obama will end the wrongdoing that Bush promoted.

[AndyA]

8. No President has ever done what Bush has done.

Perhaps any abuses of authority in the past were not of a magnitude to warrant prosecution.

But it's hard to look away from torture, spying, starting a war based on lies, outing a CIA agent, not keeping records ordered by law, etc.

I can't see Obama ignoring these things.

[Occam Bandage]

9. There has not even ever been an criminal investigation into previous administrations.

And Reagan/Bush I did some bad shit, man. There were felony convictions in the Reagan administration. And yet when Clinton came into office, he didn't investigate.

Nixon's abuses of power were legendary. Neither Ford nor Carter investigated.

There was rampant corruption in the Gilded Age. Each President left office to a public sure that it couldn't possibly get any worse. Yet no President ever investigated any wrongdoing of a previous administration.

Bush will not be prosecuted. You're clinging to a fool's hope.

[TheWatcher]

10. I'd rather cling to a fool's hope

Than be a fool who thinks it's OK to just let it all slide. And if you do not believe that this gang of criminals should be held accountable, then you are just that. A Fool.

The theme of this Election was CHANGE. Not blindly going back to grazing in the meadow and tolerating the status quo. Not business as usual.

And if this President and our leadership is not willing to hold these people accountable for their crimes, do not be surprised when they take power again and finish what they started.

[Richardo]

12. The theme of this election was getting the people's work done, not to wreak revenge

I'd love to see a poll asking the public to rate the following issues:

Health Care
Job Creation
Iraq War
Infrastructure
Retirement Planning
Terrorism
Prosecuting Bush/Cheney

How do YOU think they'd be ranked?

[AndyA]

11. I suppose we'll see.

There's never been a President like Barack Obama, either.

And his campaign assured me that he would not look the other way on Bushco offenses.

[mmonk]

13. Nope. I have just begun to fight.