Politics: More change we can believe in
*Sigh*
And I had SUCH high hopes for Obama.
The Obama administration, siding with former President George W. Bush, is trying to kill a lawsuit that seeks to recover what could be millions of missing White House e-mails.
Two advocacy groups suing the Executive Office of the President say that large amounts of White House e-mail documenting Bush’s eight years in office may still be missing, and that the government must undertake an extensive recovery effort. They expressed disappointment that Obama’s Justice Department is continuing the Bush administration’s bid to get the lawsuits dismissed.
February 22nd, 2009 at 10:05 pm
Billy, I am surprised that anyone would think that Obama would be wanting to discover these emails and bring them into the public eye. It takes time and money to do so and takes the focus away from Obama and back onto Bush. All the presidents have their secrets and they have a tendency to protect each other. We will never see a truly transparent presidency.
February 22nd, 2009 at 10:26 pm
I agree this is disappointing. Unfortunately, there is an unwritten rule that presidents never do anything to weaken the powers of the office — including the power to keep things secret.
February 23rd, 2009 at 8:41 pm
This is surprising why? Once you get into the office – no matter your party colors – you get the whole picture…and start thinking your predecessor wasn’t so wrong…
February 24th, 2009 at 10:24 am
He’s already indicated he won’t be pursuing Bush & Co for criminal charges, even though he damn well ought to. They’re saying it’s because of the economic crisis, the appeal to unity and moving forward, etc. I think it’s playing politics so he doesn’t get smeared with what the Wrong-wingers will surely label a witch hunt.
Unfortunately, it looks like he’s being consistent with that standpoint, despite the overwhelming calls for a criminal precedent to be set. What’s good enough for a governor is good enough for the President, I say.
February 24th, 2009 at 10:44 am
I agree with much of what you said, but I fear you are missing an important point.
If Bush and his cronies are war criminals for authorizing torture on Gitmo AND for outsourcing even worse forms of torture by sending the prisoners to other nations, what does that make President Obama who closed the camps in Gitmo and moved the prisoners to other nations?
In a way this is even worse. Bush had the entire Democratic Party looking over his shoulder taking potshots at what he was doing. Who is going to be doing the same of Obama? Somehow, I don’t see Sean Hannity or Michael Savage (now playing on WMBD) making a strong moral case against harsh interrogations now that Obama is in office. And the left will try to deflect any criticism with “But Bush …”
Feh.
February 24th, 2009 at 1:48 pm
The Millenium Bomber was caught before he was able to carry out his mission in 1999, tried in our civilian courts and sent to prison for two decades. Justice was served. I don’t see why we shouldn’t try these people in civilian courts, let the evidence speak for itself and do the same–or, if there is insufficient evidence, deport them to their country of origin.
What would that make President Obama? Ethical.
Re: looking over Obama’s shoulder – The source of his campaign’s power was the internet. This established virtually direct access with Mr. Obama. People were provided with an easy, virtually limitless amount of info. I’m going to wait and see, but I wouldn’t be surprised if people used the same means to see if he’s followed through on his campaign promises. I’ve been watching like a hawk.