So, does President Obama expect a proposal from Senator Leahy

[ThomWV]

Obama tells us he hasn't looked at Senator Leahy's proposal to look into the crimes of Bush - wow, what a surprise. Isn't it amazing that a Senator did not ask permission from the President to see of laws have been broken.

And then the answer. No answer at all.

Bookstores are full of volumes that detail the crimes of the Bush years, but our Presient seems content to remain unaware of them.

[tabatha]

1. I think he knows about them.

He just knows when to address them.

[mdmc]

2. McCain wouldn't hold Bush accountable

why should we?

[ThomWV]

3. And that is why McCain is not President

[mdmc]

4. He is not President cause W. = failure

Obama won cause he was the anti- W.

Still crime is crime...

[dysfunctional press]

13. obama was not elected to hold the bush administration accountable...

he was elected to change the direction of the country. and he feels that the best way to accomplish that is to look forward.

i can't believe that anyone expected any different.

[peacetalksforall]

5. He probably knows that Leahy is compiling this and probably writing it up, but he hasn't seen

what's in the package. I think that's fair to assume. Why pre-empt Leahy?

[ThomWV]

7. What makes you think Obama will ever see it? "Separation of Powers"

You see Obama is the President and Leahy is a Senator and the Senators do not work for the President and don't have to show him anything at all.

[peacetalksforall]

15. I think they talk to each other about what to do on some things to have a cohesive

plan. This is super serious stuff and risky. They crimes were super serious.

I am at a point, however, where I wish the suits and charges would come from the outside, the international court, Spain has a method they are considering using on Israel, ACLU, groups like the families of 9-11, a union group or whatever. And then get the permission to obtain documents.

I believe the people who say it's not too late (post transition) to bring charges, but they have to choose and pick.

I think they need a variety of approaches.

The Cheney WH dictated to Congress. The Republicans didn't budge without permission. It was all scripted. The only variant was the degree of right.

You work together somewhere in the middle when it comes to such a massive and unprecedented shipload of crimes.

[Radical Activist]

6. He said Bush admin members should be prosecuted

for breaking the law just like anyone else. It sounds like Obama supports what you want. Maybe you didn't get the memo but it's now OK to like something the President says once in a while.

And if Obama isn't aware of the crimes of the Bush administration, as you claim, then why did he bring up torture and abuse of power issues in response to the question?

[ThomWV]

9. Clearly you heard what you wanted to hear - now go back and see what he actually said

That is what we call a homily, and it is no substitute for policy or the enforcement of law.

[Radical Activist]

14. You're projecting.

Listen closely to what he said AFTER his first line about not reading the bill instead of having knee-jerk opposition.

Did he say he's against investigations? No.

Did he say criminal activity should be prosecuted? Yes.

Obama said specifically that people should be prosecuted if they violated the law and you're complaining about "enforcement of the law." You're only hearing what you want to hear.

[crispini]

8. I thought Obama's response definitely left the door open.

Something like, It doesn't matter who you are, people should be held accountable.

Sounded kind of like he was willing to see where it goes.

[MiniMe]

10. I think he is keeping out of it and not trying to micromanage the Senate

Which is the way it should be. The legislature is supposed to be separate from the executive branch.

[Ichingcarpenter]

11. Leahy made a major speech today so Obama hasn't seen it yet.

It gave the substance of the proposal
at Georgetown University.

I need to see the text on line and haven't found it yet.

[stillcool]

12. I thought Leahy's proposal was

about a Truth Commission..looking into those crimes. Did I miss something?