Indict Bush/Cheney/Rumsfeld and the rest now.

[JDPriestly]

President Obama's speech was encouraging to the extent that he promised to proceed with the closing of Guantanamo and return to the rule of law in that respect.

But -- WE STILL NEED JUSTICE. We still need indictments against those who broke the law to inflict terrible suffering on people who were chained and shackled and completely in their trust and care.

In his speech, President Obama apologized for the actions of these people.

Inflicting suffering -- beating or abusing a helpless or subordinate person -- because you think it is right -- is quite simply a crime in our society, no matter the reason.

The torture at Guantanamo, Abu Ghraib and Afghanistan is part of a pattern of crime and abuse of power perpetrated by the Republican presidents since Nixon. Each Republican president has seemingly gone out of his way to carry out at least one scheme that clearly violates the law during his term of office. The Obama administration must stop this pattern. Excuses work once or twice, but there is no excuse for a pattern of cheating, lies and crimes.

By the way, in response to Obama's statement that he believes that the torture was at least well intentioned. (I paraphrase.)

Courts that hear child abuse cases are generally closed to the world. But if you talk to parents accused of abusing their children (other than sexually), you will be surprised at the excuses, at their "good" intentions and at their denials. "I was trying to teach my son," for example. "I don't know how those scars got there."

Good intentions are no excuse for hurting people, for beating up people who are weaker than you and unable to resist. (I'm not talking about something that might inadvertently occur during the period in which a person is being legitimately restrained, stopped or arrested.) Bullies, that's Bush -- Cheney -- Rumsfeld -- Gonzales -- Yoo -- Bybee -- and the rest.