September 2, 2009

Torture Investigation or Tortured Witch Hunt?

There are six words those on the left need to remember as they demand any torture investigation examine top officials of the Bush Administration. Let's begin with "Karl Rove".
 
Not "Karl Rove" as in he should be investigated himself, but as a warning of what can happen when our mighty legal process is perverted by politics. Amid all the accusations that he and the others at the top during the Bush years seriously abused their temporary control over the mechanisms of law enforcement, is the danger that their opponents would invite the same kind of misconduct. 

Two other words for Democrats itching for revenge: "Richard Nixon". In their rush to accountability do they really want to descend into his toxic muck of political retribution? Do they really want to cross the same lines Nixon and Rove have?
 
That's exactly the danger in pursuing the prosecution of top level public officials who can argue they were merely doing what the people elected them to do. Any investigation when the other side controls could easily turn into a witch hunt by those who want to crush the opposition.
 
The Justice Department is still wallowing in the low morale left behind by Bush Administration cronies who once again breached the sacred barriers they believe are essential to maintain the integrity of the mission to enforce the law in fair and impartial ways. An attempt in the Obama years to use their immense power in ways that look the slightest bit partisan will further erode the precious credibility that is essential. 

 

There are those who present what they believe is a compromise. It's a so-called "Truth Commission" that would investigate alleged abuse and lawbreaking by the previous administration. It would identify those it collectively decided were guilty, from the highest levels on down. It would not prosecute, but it would gather its information through subpoena power and whatever government-financed staff it needed. Its weapon would be far more powerful than criminal action. It would be assigned to ultimately deliver an indictment of shame.

As a result, the nation would inevitably be paralyzed by a debate over whether this is an appropriate use of the mighty power of a government to crush the opposition that no longer wields that power. 

 

For a nation to willingly accept a rule of law, the people must trust it is not being abused. Even the perception it is being manipulated to favor one side over another can shatter what respect is left. Those who advocate taking their revenge on the Karl Roves of this world should remember that as they go down that road, and remember too that those on the other side will inevitably have their chance again. Maybe this is when the vicious cycle should be stopped.

Oh. The last two words: "Dick Cheney". He says he possibly wouldn't cooperate, which guarantees this would be an empty charade. He calls it "intensely partisan". He's probably right.