So on this entire "Prosecute the War Criminals" Thing

[AllentownJake]

I agree with both Olbermann and the President on this.

On one side I agree with President Obama. We are in the midst of a terrible crisis economically. He needs all the political capital he can get. He has energy and health care reform scheduled to go before Congress in the next 8 months and prosecuting people from the Bush Administration is a political nightmare. You risk of appearing partisan and petty. You will have your agenda destroyed. He's releasing documents from the previous administration to show what they actually did. Turning people over to a foreign court is a non-starter. We don't have any treaties with the World Court or any other international body to put Americans on trial for these types of crimes.

I also agree with Olbermann, letting the guys get away with it only encourages them. You risk a future administration adopting their behavior.

Its a tough call. This is one of those decisions you have to make which is bad or horrible. I just can't figure out which one is bad and which one is horrible in my mind.

[MadMaddie]

1. You know President Obama is a masterful tactician

I don't think this is the end of it. I think he has to pick his battles, by releasing the memos's that may generate enough outrage to force the government to aggressively investigate and prosecute.

It's not over.

[AllentownJake]

2. The thing is there isn't enough outrage

Seriously, most American's don't care. They don't want us to torture but in current times, they are more concerned about what's going on economically and with Healthcare.

[MadMaddie]

4. You are right. Americans are tired

Think about it the country has been in turmoil, real turmoil for 28 years. The media, the banking industry and Wall Street managed to put a veil over the real damage that was occurring.

I know people are pissed but the alternative would be McCain/Palin and an absolute utter catastropic crash. They had no plans.....they never did.

[Pirate Smile]

3. Obama has to make decisions which deal with reality. He doesn't get to make

academic calls. He has to deal with the side-effects of going after CIA agents while simultaneously needing the CIA to continue to do its job. Same with the economy and the banks. He decides which shitty option would cause the least damage. But, of course, everyone seems to think they know better.

[AllentownJake]

6. True

I'm harder on him about the banks. I think he has more power there. On this issue. I think there is a limit to the power of the Presidency.

[lazer47]

11. Jake, He has his political cover, all he has to do is appoint

a special prosecutor and just back off, and let the system work or fail..

[AllentownJake]

12. Its not as simple as that

There is no provision for that in the law anymore.

[lazer47]

14. That is what I find so frustrating, it can be very simple

that is the way it was designed,,,

[AllentownJake]

16. Special Prosecuter expired

The republicans killed it by abusing it and getting the democrats to agree to killing it. Its one of their favorite techniques of eliminating a government control.

[lazer47]

17. Why is it everytime something is screwed up or wrong,, you can always

find a Repug somewhere close

[AllentownJake]

18. They have a remarkable ability of proving government can't work

by getting elected than fucking things up don't they?

[Kaleva]

10. All Presidents go to Hell

They make decisions which may be considered to be illegal or immoral but they do so for what they believe is for the greater good.

[SpartanDem]

5. Thank you

There is a self righteous moralizing, but little understanding on here tonight very tough choices that the President faces. IMO Obama has taken risk taking on the CIA who didn't want any of this released.

[Jennicut]

7. I agree with you Jake. Its a tough call.

[AlCzervik]

8. i would love nothing more then to see Bushco plus Kissinger (please?) at the Hague

and us being part of the world court again but i understand it's probably not feasible right now. I think Obama is doing his level best to take on as much as he can right now, i can wait.

[AllentownJake]

9. Agreed

as anyone who has seen my post I'm not afraid to criticize when I think it is due. On this, it is such a tough call I cannot criticize. I honestly cannot say I know what I would do in the President's shoes. This is such a difficult situation that I could not find fault with him on either decision.

[AlCzervik]

13. i have 0 problem with deserved constructive criticism, Obama wants feedback

obviously the off the wagon crazy made up stuff is a waste of time but i have no issue with people expressing their thoughts on the current administration.

Bush and the congress laid a major hurting on this country over the past 8 years and it's going to take more then 2 terms of Obama to clean it up but i think he's going to make some good headway.

[Top Cat]

15. I agree with you but I think the majority are more concern at this moment with reality

economy, 2 wars and the list goes on.... The president is in a damn if you do and damn if you don't predicament with this one. I trust that he will make sure we are on solid ground before he uses the resources necessary to go after these criminals.

[SpartanDem]

19. It's not that

I don't want the Bush Admin tried, but if given the choice just getting Bush or the rest of Obama's agenda I'll take the agenda. In order get both Obama is going to have tread very carefully as so to not as Jake said to risk seeming petty or partisan. I think releasing info in this manner over time will slowly build a public case for more action. But we can't sit around with arms folded yelling we want it now while the Admin sticks its neck out.

[Clio the Leo]

20. "You risk of appearing partisan and petty."

Nailed it. I think that's one of the main motivators.