Not Good Enough, Barack!
by barra Tuesday, Dec 2 2008, 6:42pm
international / injustice/law / commentary

Obama is the first president to face stark and overwhelming evidence of crimes -- including torture, war crimes and a host of violations relating to various international laws and conventions -- committed by a previous administration. These crimes are not trifling matters and any attempt to avoid dealing with them would forever (historically) stain Obama – a legacy the first black man in the White House ought to be at pains to avoid.

Jack Johnson, against the odds won title in Oz

What a simple matter it would be to allow justice to run its course via the legal system that has served Western culture for centuries. In view of the horrendous nature and sheer number of crimes committed by the previous administration, nothing less than full accountability would satisfy the people and the world. The evidence is overwhelming and the American people, indeed the entire world waits for decisive action from Obama.

However, it seems that current efforts are directed more toward the elimination/cessation of these activities rather than prosecuting the guilty! The immediate closure of Guantanamo (torture) Bay and other illegal detention centres associated with the ‘extraordinary rendition’ program must proceed at the greatest possible speed. But that action should mark the beginning of the legal process not the end! THE GUILTY MUST BE PROSECUTED TO THE FULLEST EXTENT OF THE LAW.

The horrific crimes of the previous administration, which resulted in the first civilian holocaust of the new century, cannot go unanswered. Obama, more than most, is acutely aware of the cost to his personal reputation and his presidency if he fails to address these crimes.

Regardless of all the efforts of the Murdoch propaganda machine to re-write history or to diminish the horrendous nature of the crimes committed by the Bush administration, the sheer number and vile nature of these crimes ensure they will never be buried, trivialised or forgotten.

Obama and the US stand at a critical juncture in US history, whether to continue on the belligerent and confrontational (self-defeating) course of the previous Clinton and Bush administrations or to turn from the nightmare of the past.

Make no mistake, regardless of all external factors the final decision rests with Obama alone (as president). Obama is no fool so for him it is a test of character. For us, we shall see!

[Perhaps it is also an opportunity for the first black man in the White House to do one better than the slavers and white criminals the previous administration clearly represented. Obama is in the enviable position of being able to truly change history for the good of all humanity. Indeed, it reduces to his strength of character and how that failure or success would determine the future for us all. Ed.]


We are ONE

Peace.

http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSTRE4B18UY20081202