Daily Archives: April 17, 2009

Obama struck balance on torture issue

April 17, 200912:20 p.m.

waterboarding3“The Obama administration acted courageously and wisely yesterday with its dual actions on interrogation policy,” a Washington Post editorial argued. “The pair of decisions — one essentially forgiving government agents who may have committed heinous acts they were told were legal, the other signaling that such acts must never again be condoned by the United States — struck exactly the right balance.”
The editorial added: “By repudiating the memos, the Obama administration has again seized the high ground and restored some of the honor lost over the past few years. President Obama’s actions not only restore confidence that this country will not torture, but he has also strengthened the nation’s moral authority in condemning these heinous acts wherever they occur.”
Meanwhile, Spanish prosecutors recommended today that Spanish courts not investigate allegations that six senior Bush administration officials gave legal cover for the torture of terror suspects. Obama’s decisions leave open the possibility that such an investigation could occur here, as he focused on CIA agents who followed legal advice, not on the individuals who tried to provide that cover.

By Phillip Brownlee | Filed under President Bush, President Obama, Terrorism | Comments (42)

Obama just like Bush?

April 17, 20096:03 a.m.

Bush ObamaPresident Obama’s change has been too much for many conservatives but not nearly enough for some liberals, in part because his Justice Department has argued against allowing Americans to legally challenge warrantless surveillance and against giving legal rights to some detainees in Afghanistan. “Welcome to change you cannot believe in — or sue over,” said MSNBC’s Keith Olbermann of the wiretapping arguments. On the detainee issue, the New York Times editorialized that the filing by Obama’s Justice Department “recycles extravagant claims of executive power and perpetuates the detention policies of the Bush administration.”

By Rhonda Holman | Filed under President Bush, President Obama | Comments (120)

Open thread 4/17

April 17, 20096:02 a.m.

thread-comm50

By The Editors | Filed under Open thread | Comments (273)

Cashing in on fascination with Palin

April 17, 20096:01 a.m.

MCCain Veepstakes PalinFriends and foes of Sarah Palin are cashing in on the public’s continued fascination with the Alaska governor and former GOP vice presidential candidate. Though the fundraising is not authorized by Palin, the groups are “minting money off the mere mention of her name,” Politico reported.
Meanwhile, Palin has had a rough return to Alaska politics, as Democratic and Republican state lawmakers complain that Palin is too focused on her national ambitions. “The source of the greatest tension this year between the Legislature and the executive has been certainly the appearance that the executive is prioritizing her national image, her national brand, over the day-to-day operations of state government and the interests of the state of Alaska,” Rep. Mike Hawker, Republican co-chairman of the House Finance Committee, told the New York Times.

By Phillip Brownlee | Filed under Presidential race, U.S. politics | Comments (32)

Anti-tax signs of the times

April 17, 20096:00 a.m.

teasignWednesday’s spirited exercise of free speech by tax foes generated some entertaining signage. Among the best spied at the region’s tea parties: “Pirates at sea, pirates in D.C.” and “Read my lipstick; no new taxes,” seen in Kansas City. “Commander and thief” and “Right-wing nut job” (with an arrow pointing downward), seen in Hutchinson. “I think we have been hope-a-doped” and “Don’t tax me, bro,” seen in Wichita. “I’ll pay my taxes when I’m nominated to Obama’s Cabinet,” seen in Topeka, as was a sign reading “KS profligate spending” atop a wheelbarrow of manure.

By Rhonda Holman | Filed under taxes | Comments (15)