Legal Commentary

Obama On 60 Minutes

By Big Tent Democrat

Kroft: There are a number of different things that you could do early pertaining to executive orders. One of them is to shutdown Guantanamo Bay. Another is to change interrogation methods that are used by U.S. troops. Are those things that you plan to take early action on?

Mr. Obama: Yes. I have said repeatedly that I intend to close Guantanamo, and I will follow through on that. I have said repeatedly that America doesn't torture. And I'm gonna make sure that we don't torture. Those are part and parcel of an effort to regain America's moral stature in the world.

Obama can do these things on Day 1. Of course, closing Gitmo will take some time to do but announcing its closing can happen Day 1. And torture ("enhanced interrogation" as John Brennan describes it) can end and must end immediately. No ifs and or buts.

By Big Tent Democrat, speaking for me only

Full post as published by TalkLeft on November 16, 2008 (boomark / email).