Let's ignore Obama's stated motivation for not wanting investigations for a second...

[GarbagemanLB]

..and look at the simple politics of the situation.

A lot of Democrats knew of the illegal actions (wiretaps, torture) of this administration and said nothing (at the least) or agreed with it (at the worst).

Why does anyone expect Obama to basically severely wound his own party and agenda by going through with a commission or independent investigator? He would be targeting the heads of his own party. Let's be realistic about this.

Also, did anyone else laugh when Nancy Pelosi went on TV saying there should be investigations? Talk about having blood on your hands.

[Lucky 13]

1. I propose we discuss this once he's actually in office and can make some decisions.

Anything else at this point is speculation.

[Enrique]

8. you mean tomorrow?

[Lucky 13]

10. Sure. If I can get people to hold off until tomorrow at noon, I'd be ELATED.

[Lint Head]

2. Anyone, regardless of party should be held accountable.

War crimes should never ever be tolerated. No one is above the law.
:dem:

[Uzybone]

3. I'll really laugh when Feinstein asks for investigations

people neck deep in the shit are probably all hoping Obamas justice dept doesn't investigate.

[cottonseed]

4. No Investigations. No One Jailed.

I agree with your post. There's a lot of talk about investigations and jailing Bush and Cheney, but when you sit down and think about how this can actually be done -- I just don't see the steps to it.

How does Obama charge Bush w/o charging Harman, Feinstein, Reid, and Pelosi?

Would we approve of an Obama show trail bringing up only Bush and Cheney while leaving out the rest of the complicit? Namely, the entire Democratic leadership?

Now, this is not a defense of what Bush and Cheney did, and it's sure as hell not a defense of our leadership, but just how would Obama actually go about putting Bush and Cheney in jail?

Politically I just don't see how he can do that without hauling in the entire leadership of both houses of Congress.

[Moochy]

7. Self Incrimination

There will be no justice and no accountability, if those still in power have their say. I expect that verbal agreements to that effect have already been negotiated.

[shraby]

5. One thing to remember,

the administration (a known pack of liars) said that people such as Pelosi, etc. were informed of what they were doing and approved of it. Question is..what were they told? Truth light? Pure lies? Until an investigation is undertaken we'll never know, will we?

[SheilaT]

6. If nothing is done to bring

these criminals to justice, then quite frankly every single person arrested for any kind of crime whatsoever should plead the "Let's look forward, not back" defense. Precedent will have been set.

[leftstreet]

9. Absolutely! We can dump the Justice Dept, hell the entire Legislative branch

Why have any laws at all?

Why have "law enforcement" if you're not going to enforce anything?

[Avalux]

11. I think we should ignore his statements and PUSH

Obama believes in the power of community; the power of people coming together to work towards a goal.

I firmly believe that if the American people want investigations an prosecution of Bushco, Obama will listen. It will be up to us to push him to do it.