Legal Commentary

Truth Commissions

By Big Tent Democrat

Part of the outrage that many of us feel about the FISA Capitulation is that the Democrats, led by our presumptive nominee, are signalling not only a diminution of our Constitutional right to privacy, but also an acceptance of the Bush Administrations abuses as acceptable behavior for the United States. Today, Nick Kristof proposes a Truth Commission:

These abuses happened partly because, for several years after 9/11, many of our national institutions didn’t do their jobs. The Democratic Party rolled over rather than serving as loyal opposition. We in the press were often lap dogs rather than watchdogs, and we let the public down.

. . . Both Barack Obama and John McCain should commit to impaneling a Truth Commission early in the next administration. This commission would issue a report to help us absorb the lessons of our failings, the better to avoid them during the next crisis.

More . . .

Of course Nick Kristof lives in a fantasy world all his own where an Obama, who fears even holding disliked Big Telco accountable, is going to sign up for a "Truth Commission." As for John McCain, you gotta be kidding me. Back on Planet Earth, the Democratic Party and its putative leader have already told you no to getting to the truth. No to protecting the Constitution. Kristof apparently missed that.

On the issue of abuse of power and the Constitution by the Bush Administration, Democrats have told you what they think - they do not care or are too scared to care. Bush's Third Term on THESE issues is promised by both the Democratic and Republican candidates.

By Big Tent Democrat, speaking for me only

Full post as published by TalkLeft on July 06, 2008 (boomark / email).