CNN

Oh, just the thought of the Bushies being held responsible for their arrogant behavior. Not that it will ever happen, but it still gives me goose bumps!!!

This is not going to go away for a long long time.

Prosecuting these administrators would be like killing the messenger, the Obama Administration is just looking for a scapegoat to release the left's populist anger,

How about some maturity, recognizing the difficult position we were in from 2001-2007 (when magically democrats and republicans both didnt seem to mind the use of water boarding ect NANCY PELOSI, armed services committee, national intelligence committees ect).

Prosecuting Bush officials would just drive a nail into the coffin of bipartisanship, and further polarize our nation ( Remember 46% of America or 59.9 million Americans voted Republican)

The famous saying is is War is H$ll, and this war was no different. Regardless of your feelings about IF we should have been there, the facts is we ARE There.

Dont Kill the Messenger, Just Move on and make sure it doesnt happen again.

If this happens, then Obama should expect the same.

After 9/11 we all cried out for action along with protection. Most Americans demanded that we not only discover the criminals, but use all means to track down other future planners of death. ONLY because we have not been hit inside the US do we now rise up on our political haunches and cry out for prosecution of those who did just what we had all demanded. We can be shocked and horrified that we tortuered terrorists, but it is all a preamble to the next attack. They want to kill us all–even kill the liberals–can you believe it?–the terrorists even want to kill those who would support them and who want to prosecute their fellow citizens along the way.

Totally ridiculous. The Obama administration is just looking for distractions from the real important factor that our economy is in shambles and they cannot fix it.
The discontent of the people toward our government that got us in the mess that it is the real issue.
Who gives... about some terrorist that got waterboarded. Give us a break our navy seals are drown during training. Is that torture too?

Those responsible should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Letting these thugs go free tells the world this administration condons these outrageous crimes. Bush, Cheney, and the lawyers that conned the CIA should be looking through bars. Oh yes, and water boarded.

Go get them Mr. President. Have Colin Powell to come in and tesitfy for the prosecution.

Pres Obama has said repeatedly that he has No appetite to prosecute these war criminals and I agree that we do not need the distraction right now.

, .....however if the Dept of Justice wants to gather evidence along with various house and senate committees, more power to them

But don't put this on the President, he has stated his positions, but he won't stand in the way of others.

I hope Obama does go forward with charges because a.) he's got no case, if waterboarding is "torture" then the military "tortures" hundreds of Americans troops every day for training purposes and b.) it will kill Obama's approval rating and prove he's nothing but a fascist dictator.

President Bush, Vice President Cheney and their subordinates approved and carried out torture in numerous situations in clear violation of US law, The Military Code, The Geneva Convention and Judeo-Christian morality. Judicial precendents affirm that we correctly prosecuted Japanese military for their waterboard torture of our heroic servicemen, and at Nurenburg we rejected the argument of Nazi underlings that they be absolved of their heinous crimes "because they were just following orders." Their is a reason the statue of Justice is blind-folded – Justice must follow the truth no matter where it leads and no matter what the position/rank of the perpetrator. Bush and Cheney boast of their willful actions and so they and their subordinates must be prosecuted for their crimes against humanity. Americans are not Nazis, we respect the rule of law ans so we do not torture period. We must say to our posterity and to the world that this evil violates our laws and values and that we can not and will not tolerate torture. If President Obama refuses to authorize a Special Proscecutor, he is guilty of Obstruction Of Justice and violates his oath of office. We must send the message – Never Again.

This is nothing but political handwashing to appease the far left. I really doubt anything will come of this.

President Obama has only stated that the lower level CIA grunts that actually did the torture were not going to be prosecuted.

President Obama has NEVER stated his administration would not prosecute anyone involved with the torture.

How sad… The people who have protected us are not under this weight.

******************************************************************************
How true,and when there is no one left,it will be up to us as individual to fend for ourselves. It's only a matter of time as our nation rots itself from within. Who needs enemy when were doing a better job of destroying ourself from within. I always woundered why America is never mention in the Bible in the last day,it's because were already gone.

I think the folks like Cheney should be prosecuted!!!!

Does anyone remember one of the biggest things holding up Attorney General Eric Holder's confirmation was this issue. The leading republican said that he was 'assured' that Holder would not go after them. if the Attorney General goes after him, then I can see him taking heat from the right. If he does not, I can see the Attorney General and Obama taking heat on the left. Either way fireworks will fly and if the men in question are prosecuted, then I can see a hard time in the senate to pass anything used a tool for revenge. ...Ah, the crappy side of politics.

Isn't Obama great.

The dumbing down of Americans and their politician leaders has lead us to demean those who have kept us safe. You think all those 'baddies' are going to spill the beans just because a rock star wannabe says 'pretty please tell us what we want'? I wish all you obamaniacs could live together in a separate nation under which you only can live out the wishes of your leader. We'll compare notes in 4 years.

Try, convict, execute.

I don't expect to see this happen, but I agree - Cheney would be my first pick with Tweedledee and Tweedledum (Rumsfield and Rice) right behind him.

This aside, however, I agree that we need to look forward and not spend too much time looking back. Recognize the horrible "mistakes" that were made, and make sure they never happen again.

In my opinion, Obama is already doing much to redeem our tattered image with the rest of the world, and for this I am grateful.

Keep on hoping guys, it's not gonna happen, Obama is smart enough to know what was done was done in a time of war and great worry. It would be interesting to see if they release the documents proving that they got useful information that saved lives...but you guys aren't interested in THAT part are you?

I think it should be to a vote by the people of this country..........and I will bet you that 90% of this country will say Prosecute them all........

If President Obama leaves this to the justice department, remember how Cheney stacked the justice department with HIS guys? Don't you think he was preparing himself for this very day?

However, it would definitely be good for the country to bring these guys to justice. They are going to continue to foment hatred – something at which they've always been good.

YES!!!!

Lock up Cheney for sure. What a taint on American ideals and morality that sack of crap is.

Let justice be served! The White House does not oversee the Justice Department. Only during Bush's tenure did the Justice Department serve at the whim of the President and his contemptuous minions.

My question is: Would Americans want our own American soldiers; male or female to be subject to what went on at Gitmo? I hope not.

Ok – let's take a deep breath.

Let justice be served! The White House does not oversee the Justice Department. Only during Bush's tenure did the Justice Department serve at the whim of the President and his comtemptuos minions.

The retirement is over Mr. Cheney. Insteead to visiting golf courses, you may want to visit the court more often. Whatever goes around it comes around.

Most of us out i n the heartland know who the REAL enemy is, and it ain't in the CIA.
I hope the next terrorist attack is focused on Washington and we'll see how the looney left handles that.

It's about time.

Cheney seems eager to defend his role in his administration's massive war crimes. Put him on trial first.

This guy is our President and we should respect the office. But the things he is doing scare the crap out of me. I think we are headed for a catastrophic collapse in all phases of our country.

Obama reiterated his belief that he did not think it is appropriate to prosecute those CIA officials and others who actually carried out the interrogations in question.

why not? military personnel in iraq, were prosecuted for their crimes. double standard? CIA needs reform and those who tortured should, at least, be fired.

This is the correct move that needs to be done. Yes leave the door open and let see what comes of it. This is a part of American history and needs to be corrected.
I do not beleive that Bush full y knew what was going on, but on the other hand Cheyney knew full well. Let see what else he has to say now.

carl rove, should be trading cigarettes for his life in prison by now.

why do you think he’s on foxnews every single day, trying to discourage people from believing what President Obama is saying about torture and lying? He’s trying to build his defense as we speak.

Quite typical, not enough "guts" to make the decision himself. Just like his good buddy Chavez, talking a good game but letting someoone else do his "wet work".

Chi Town to you I say: AMEN!!!
But let not forget: OB just blames America and not him self.

"One and done… Barry
And thanks for opening pandora's box on the future… and don't foget Kennedy and the rest of the Arms Services Comittee who where fully aware of everything… including Hillary Clinton"

"How sad… The people who have protected us are not under this weight."

Wait ... didn't 9/11 happen on the Bush/Cheney watch?

Cheney will shut up no as anything he says on FAUX News will be brought up in trial.

All this means is that Obama himself could one day be prosecuted. Torture has gotten worse at Gitmo since he baecame President. That is according to the terrorist scum that are being held there. You know, the very sam eterrorist scum that Liberals embraced when Bush was president.

That protection argument doesn't hold water the Bush administration broke every law known to man....They kept us safe.Give me a break...

CNN sure does bring out the radical left. Obama reminds me of Stalin trying to rid his nation of the opposition...scary times are headed for the United States.

And the next Republican president will prosecute Obama's administration officials for now revealing state secrets regarding to ways of extracting important intelligence from terrorists !!!!!

Chi Town April 21st, 2009 12:55 pm ET
Chi Town: AMEN!!!
.

"One and done… Barry
And thanks for opening pandora's box on the future… and don't foget Kennedy and the rest of the Arms Services Comittee who where fully aware of everything… including Hillary Clinton"

Prosecute 'em! Just promise me someone will look into the billions made by Cheney, et al. on no-bid DoD contracts. We impeached Clinton, essentially, for lying about his sex life and Dubya and Dick are running around loose. What's wong with this picture? Thank God my son came home from Iraq-wounded and a decorated combat veteran, but he is home. So many moms can't say this, thanks to Dubya, Rummy, Cheney, Condi, etc.

GOOD! PROSECUTE CHEYNEY FIRST! ROVE SECOND!

What amazes me is how the repuglicans/conservatives/GOPers defend Bush.
One comment said "quit trying to appease the loony left," Are we so looney to desire that justice be done? Isn't it obvious that crimes have been commited here? I was speaking to my republican friend the other day and this woman was DEFENDING TORTURE. Like, it's a good thing that we did that. Let me tell you, it was not. We should have never abandoned our core ideals. We are no better than our enemy. We no longer stand on moral high ground. Now, people all over the world will follow our poor torturous example

If this prosecution is allowed it will be the end any opportunity that President Obama has of leading this country.

Not an easy decision, but wonderful. We are a better people than the last eight years have shown. The more light the better.

All Obama is doing is diverting attention away from himself. He is single handledly trying to erase the Constitution. How he is getting away with all of this is amazing. Someone please stand up to this guy. He simply does not have nearly the amount of power he thinks he is entitled too. It is criminal the way he is mortgaging the future of our country. He seems to loathe everything about this country. But don't forget, he inherited this mess. saveing $100 million dollars? After the biggest spending bill in the hisotry of the world?????

God help us. oh, I forgot, he is God.

How many democrates knew what going on and did or said nothing? Should they not face charges as accomplices?

Typical prosecute them and let all the terrorists go from gitmo. Does anybody else see anything wrong with this picture! Frankly I would use any technique available to me to try to save lives in this country. We are fighting a different type of enemy now days. They will do the same thing to us. Cutting off peoples heads, brutal killings but lets let em go and prosecute our own decision makers! What a joke this is becoming. This administration might as well throw out the white flag to all other countries. You have to remember the other countries are all in envy of us. When the see us bend that will be the end! Remember that!!!!!!!!!!!

@ Chi Town, who said "don't foget Kennedy and the rest of the Arms Services Comittee who where fully aware of everything… including Hillary Clinton"

What was done was done from the Executive Branch as run by the Bush administration, so you are 100% completely and utterly off base here. As for who is losing their mind...well, I'd have to argue it was Bush and Cheney first, the GOP second and a whole buttload of Americans who blinldy followed their lead without questioning their actions. If anything, Obama is restoring some sense of sanity to it all.

I hope all intelligent agents will quit soon. Let "BOBAMA" run the show and use more bailout.

For someone who is suppose to be a uniter.....he is certainly dividing people more than ever along with the fact people are getting down right mean and ignornat about real life....they surely are easily swayed

And if something happens like 9-11 ( or worse) you lunatics will be the first ones hollering "why din't we do something. we should have known.

You would think that if the republicans really did not want to open this pandora, then they would have stopped critiquing every move that Oboma has made. When you are under supspicion of illegality, it is foolish for you to draw so much attention to yourself. I can't ever recall an outgoing administration that felt it appropiate to critique the new administration. Bush and Cheney were allowed to make their mistakes. Why do they not give the same courtesy?

Justice be served.

This is amazing coming from a guy with no moral center!

Too good to be true. Hope both Bush & Cheney spend rest of their lives behind closed bars. They earned it and deserves every bit.

Next up..

Obama,,

His downing of america in the face of our enemies should be treasonous. The next president should prosecute all the tarp and aig oversight persons ie. the obama administration.

Yeah thats right go after the people that has kept us safe for 7 years...Smart...really Smart sheesh

Obama lets out these memos because he says there isn't anything new in them, that we lost our moral compass, and that the methods didn't work. He then releases a heavily redacted memo of the things we found out from those who we used these methods on. If they didn't work, then we didn't find anything out. If we didn't find anything out, then there is no need to redact anything.

Seems political to me.

cnn had cheney on this morning, unapologetic about anything done during his watch. maybe he should close the lid on his mouth, before some people , start going to jail. the president has gotta be tired of all the silliness from this group. everyday, there's something new!

obama...needs to walk a fine line.....what goes around..comes around....if he has the devastation like New York, Pa and Washington had with the terrorists....he may change his tune.......he is acting more of a dictator than anything

I don't see anything we do to our own troops as torture. That's all I'm gonna say about that.

While your at it Mr. President, why don't you prosecute President Truman and his administration for dropping bombs on Nagasaki and Hiroshima, Japan for killing innocent civilians. Also open a case on President Johnson for Vietnam war crimes.

See? Liberals love everyone...except for fellow citizens who hold and express a different point of view.

This is amazing fcoming from a guy with no moral center!

Good. May they burn in hell for what they did to fellow human beings and the perception of our country as a bastion of freedom, tolerance and justice.

When are people going to stop under estimating President Obama. Just because he know how and when to show a little humility and civility doesn't mean he is weak. Just ask the Clintons and the McCains.

People, please don't be fooled into thinking that this administration is weak. Cheney shouldn't have under estimated them. He should be the first to be charged...

My 89 year old father was a prisoner in a Nazi prison camp in World War II. He witnessed torture and murder, primarily of Jews, Russians and homosexuals. He says that those responsible for this conduct were held accountable by the world, and that those who committed atrocities today should also be held accountable. Aside from the torture of prisoners, is there any accountability for lying and taking our nation to war?

YESSSS !

America from the time of George Washington has not tortured. Washington, himself said torture would not be tolerated, as it put 'his' captured troops at greater risk.

Chi-town and Jimmy boy..... you are on the wrong side of history......

AGAIN!

The Bush crowd didn't just take the low road with their morals, they broke the law – both domestically and internationally. They really need to stand trial and be held accountable.

Wow, funny to see how many people support a president who undermines the CIA. Listen, you don't have a "right" to know how this country gets protected and by what means. Do you think this is new? Think this has never happened before? Correct, it has. The difference is we have a dime dropping, bowing, groveling president who wants nothing more than media attention to a previous administration to take the eyes of the country off his own misteps (AIG, bowing to the king of Saudi Arabia, indebting our next 3 generations with bailouts, etc).

Funny how everyone buys it too!!

prosecute them! and start with Cheney...he would make a wonderful example!

Let the fact-less snipe hunts begin. Another chance for the Dems to spread lies, divide the country, and spend more of our money.

Thanks you yutzes!

We should definitely go back to using harsh language as a deterrent. They blow themselves up to kill as many as possible and the glibs are screaming about water-boarding?

Really though why can't he just get back to taxing the only people with money to drive them out of the US so literally no one will be able to pay the future down and no one will want to create their own business and hire 1000s of unemployed. The rich will always afford to be able to get out of dodge...who is left holding the bag? Ask your union delegate, I'm sure he/she can always resort to blaming Bush. It is the default response anyhow isnt it?? haha

Eric Holder is the US Attorney General. Eric Holder is required to pursue any legal matter where his office believes that a federal crime has occured and should be prosecuted. It is not about what the President wants to happen or the White House Staff.

Have we really had amnesia about this so soon after outrage over alleged White House involvement in Federal Prosecuter firings at the prompting of the Bush Administration?

The President, Vice President, Chief of Staff, former Vice President, Fox News, MSNBC News and CNN are not the Attorney General of the United States.

Being for a party or against it is not relevant. If a crime was committed the AG should investigate, bring charges if appropriate and let the courts decide the case.

Looking forward is all well and good but unfortunatley we've been looking forward since Richard Nixon. We thought Nixon was an abbarition and so we let him walk. It's been down hill since then. Reagan got away with Iran Contra and now we're supposed to turn our backs (look forward) the court appointment of a President, on lying, spying, criminal incompetence and neglect. Starting an unnecessay war based on lies, the repeal of habeus corpus, the gutting of the constitution and the bill of rights, war crimes, the list is endless. Enough. Hold these people accountable for their actions. If we don't the next "W" to come along will finish the job of destroying America and refuse to leave office.

We must prosecute them for bringing our country to shame in the eyes of the international community. Lying about WMD, Saddam Hussain, 9/11, Iraq, and etc. We have become a laughing stock of the world for lying on everything we say to them. WE HAVE LOST OUR CREDIBILITY AND ITS TIME WE REPAIR IT.

The administration is behaving in a left wing dangerous manner (meeting with Cuba, Venazula, and Iran). I mean really, we go from far right (Bush) to the far left (Obama). Could we please have a moderate who will represent the majority of Americans. This left right stuff has got to end. I hate Bush and Obama lovers. You all make us moderates sick. But the day will come when all you left and right zealots will be out of power and on that glorious day of deliverance America will have a sane reasonable voice again.

We prosecuted Japanese soldiers for water-boarding in the war crimes trials after WWII, and called it torture then. It is interesting that we consider it torture when it is done TO us, and not torture when WE do it. We also scoffed at the phrase "I was only following orders", and considered that no excuse, during the Nuremburg trials.

Keep in mind people, over 46% of this country voted AGAINST Obama...That is a HUGE number that says, "A LOT of us DO NOT believe in you"...The people detailed in the released memorandum(s) were KNOWN terrorists...Who would be just as happy hurting you or your children as they would breathing air. You bleeding heart liberals had better screw your heads on right, and recognize this is NOT the war of our fathers, it is one that attacks us at home, every day.
The idea that Obama would consider prosecution is in itself contemptuous. Mr. Obama, do your job, and leave the political game you are playing out of politics.
Lastly if any of you are going to bother posting something publicly, learn how to write/speak.

Why is it looney when you clearly have documents that go against the morals and values of this country?
PROSECUTE THEM STARTING WITH BUSH!!!

WHat a dolt. I had higher expectations from a Harvard law student!! Why should the CIA officials who carried out the orders *NOT* be prosecuted. One always *HAS* the option to *RESIGN* and leave IFF they are not comfortable in doing what their boss wants them to do!! This is pathetic. This is like letting go of the Nazi concentration camp guards because they were simply carrying out orders!! Pathetic. Where is your *MORALITY*. Would you kill someone IF Bush asked you to? I guess not. So why would you torture somebody if BUSH asks you to!! Obama YOU are a DISAPPOINTMENT!!

This is great. I'm so happy Obama is doing the right things. My god, Were would we be if McCain was President.

The republican reaction actually makes me feel sick. They are not outraged that we tortured! They are outraged that we admit it. And George Will cares that people are wearing jeans (where has he been for about 40 years?) And Peggy Noonan says sometimes you need to just keep walking. Not exactly the Good Samaritan lesson we all learned. And some wacko is on FOX news complaining that we've just ruined all these techniques now that everyone knows. My God My God

I think that if someone signed off on one individual being waterboarded 183 times in only a couple of months....that needs to be investigated. People also need to understand that torturing someone repeatedly does not give good intel, it produces garbage. Why can't some people let that sink in? Studies have proven this. It is nothing new.

It is against the law to torture people the way people were under the Bush administration. It did NOT keep us any safer. When will people wake up and realize this.

911,Iraqi invation,Gimo, Outing our
spys for political gain ,katrina,Brownie your doing a great job,I feel so secure

can't wait to hear the republican response--the same repbublicans who prosectued a president over a bj. will they prosecute a president who authorized torture?

Cheney, Rumsfeld, Gonzales, Wu – line them up. They used the post 9-11 hysteria to justify a sadistic course of action that has no place in civilized enforcement or interogation. If the people in question ar guilty – try them, convict them and execute them – period. If you behave like them – through torture or whatever, then you lower yourself to their level. If America doesn't torture people – then the people who sanctioned torture ought not be Americans.

Thanks for the Transparency Mr. President, this is exactly what we voted for !

Chi Town...Shut up !

No one should be above the law. If it's determined that some in the previous – or ANY – administration have broken laws or conventions, then they need to be held accountable.

The "World" wants JUSTICE, on the illegal torturing. This is a good, and very welcoming BEGINNING for America to “Re-Brand” its image on the Global Human Rights issue! One must be a Good Leader for others to Follow!!

Excellent Move by President Obama and there are many more to come.

Obama is right, this is the justice departments jurisdiction ie. Eric Holder

Jimmy Boy – how did they protect us and they were in charge when 9/11 happened?

Obama is right, this is the justice departments jurisdiction ie. Eric Cantor.

Hell, yes! It's not about retribution, it's about enforcing our own laws. Personally, I don't care about prosecuting Bush. He was just a stone figurehead, with the brains to match. Cheney is the one who should be locked away.

Go get 'em, Eric Holder!

Enjoy the one term Barry.

I'll buy tickets to the trial and the sentencing!

The notion of prosecuting people who did their best to protect us is amazingly misguided. If someone truly committed a crime, then he or she should be prosecuted. But, the evidience seems to show they were trying to maximize the ability to interrogate terrorists within the limits of the law in order to save American lives.

The first order of business is get Bybee out of his job on the Ninth Circuit. Call the Judiciary Committee and support those calling for him to be impeached as a judge. He is a disgrace.

Once again Obama makes an important decision in a thoughtful and caring manner. It would be wrong to punish agency workers for what they were forced to do under orders from the Bush administrators, although personally I think that every person is morally responsible for their actions, regardless who orders it. I do believe that Bush and Cheney are truly "war criminals", responsible for 1000's of innocent deaths, including 5000 young American men & women, and both should be charged and jailed for it. They should be put on trial for advocating, and carrying out policies that justified and condoned torture. It was a low point in American history.

Great news.Its about time.

Thats the best news I've heard in 8 years!

it is sad that they choose this path to protect us

of the choices for protecting us, and there are and were many, they choose torture, taking away civil rights of Americans, snooping on citizens, lying to take us to war and the list goes on

protecting us? is that measured by no attacks against us? we were attacked 9 months into their administration. When does anything become their responsibility?

International laws against torture exist to protect Americans, along with everyone else in the world.

But you think it's okay for YOU to ignore them?

Gee, I wonder why people think we do not deserve their respect?

And if you don't think we need it, you know nothing about how the world actually works.

If I did it, I'd be sitting in a cell trying to avoid being executed. Bush should be executed also. After all, what's good for Texans are good for us all...right!?!?!

I'm waiting on Pelosi to explain why she asked the administration to do more after she was briefed on the practices that were being deployed. I'm also waiting on Obama to release all of the memos that detail what information we were able to obtain after these methods were employed on who we were able to capture after getting this information.

I then expect Obama to release anyone who was captured based on this "illegally obtained confession".

Obama and his ilk are disgusting.

My theary about Cheney, is that he is telling Obama "come and get me. The arrogance of this man is beyond belief. Like to see his butt in Iraq with a gun fighting for his belief, let see how smart the jerk is then. Like to see "ALL" of them in prison, then we see how smart they are. Water board them for information, after all it was their idea.

Has he lost his freakin' mind!!! Not a single person who had anything to do with the detainees in Gitmo, including torture, are war criminals!! As far as I am concerned, they deserved everything they got. Those people have no regard for human life themselves, especially westerners. I don't care and I am like Cheney now–show the memos that tell what info was gained as a result of the torture techniques. No, Obama won't do that because then he wouldn't have anything to complain about. Having Holder be responsible for this is like putting the wolf in the hen house-what a mess!!!

The lawyers who gave the Bush Administration legal counsel which approved of the torture interrogation methods should be prosecuted.

The reasonable cause to believe a crime has been committed is abundant, thus requiring _at least_ an investigation by a grand jury, not guerrilla theatre by some Congressional committee. Allowing past torturemongers to slide is no different from a blanket pardon of them.

It is ironic that WE insisted on the creation of the Geneva convention related to WWII, and in all the 'glory' movies about the war this term is usually mentioned......

But Bush, Cheney, and others thought that the U.S. could subscribe, or not subscribe to the restrictions of the Geneva Convention as they thought fit.

If ANY OTHER leader in the world even hints at this.....we label them 'axis of terror'. But Cheney defends to this day the same acts....if ANYONE s/b procescuted......this traitor should be the first. He betrayed this country, and lowered our image to the world.

GOOD. I love seeing the right-wing propaganda machine do everything possible to salvage any remaining credibility for what are clearly blatant violations of U.S. and international law. The argument that we got valuable intelligence is thin at best and does not justify waterboarding someone nearly 200 times. What is wrong with you people?

You are insane to believe that the ends justify the means. If civilized societies are to continue forth, then we must learn to act as such and follow the rule of law. Its not about the terrorists you morons, its about ourselves and what kind of country and society we want to be.

By the way, we lose our moral bearings when we fail to confront evil. Thank God there are people willing to stand up to it and make tough judgements, when the rest of the on-the-sidelines world is sure to judge our every efforts.

President Obama is right, it is not appropriate to prosecute those CIA officials and others who carried out the interrogations because they had no choice in the matter, they probably would have been shot for treason if they had refused. The orders came from high up, and those people should be prosecuted....i.e. Cheney, Bush, Rove, Gonzales (sp?), and the rest of that evil administration who had a hand in enacting this horrendous act.

Have we forgotten that we have not been attached since 9-11, and how do you think that happened? With the brave men and women who fight for us and against our enemies who have no rules… who cut off heads and burn bodies of our soldiers. We need brave men and women in leadership who do what’s right and not what is popular.

i hope eric holder will prosecute,,and hurry up so we can shut up that rascist dick cheney , who faked a back injury so he wouldn't have to stand and watch the black man become president

They will only be prosecuted if we act!

Call and write your congresspeople, and tell them that you want to see the rule of law restored, as well as America's standing in the world.

No one is going to prosecute the Bush Crime Family for us. We have to make it impossible for lawmakers NOT to.

Republicans are irrelevant and they are doing everything they can to criticize the President every day.

Seems they are going to criticize the president for 8years!!

Obama is clueless. He wants to have it both ways, yet is completely blind to the turmoil he will create.

An investigation would be wrong. Nothing that has been done to the scumbag terrorists is over-the-line torture (it is all open to interpretation) and any serving administration should be entitled to set national security policy as it sees fit.

Obama is setting up another circus, before the old Burris/Giethner/Blago/etc circus has left town. He's being played by the far left in both the US and in South America and Europe, and he is blind to it.

He's swaying in the wind, and on any given day is taking opposite views on the same issues. He is clueless.

You can tell Obama has struck a cord, the TROLLS are out in full force.

Go for it, Prez! The main crooks, Bush and Cheney should NOT be allowed to get away with creating "new" rules of war. They violated the Constitution and for that they must pay.

Are people just crazy in America right now. I don't care if you agree with everything President Bush did but there is one indisputable fact. He kept our country save for seven years. If our new President ( who I voted for by the way) would like to do things differently then great. Go about doing things the way you want them done but move on. Forget about the past, it is over. The atmosphere after the 9/11 attacks were different, the people in charge were trying to make sure it didn't happen again and they succeeded. If most of us were in their shoes at the time, we probably would have done the same. Remember how we as Americans were feeling after the attacks, we were gone to make them pay at any cost. Let's all concentrate on the future and stop judging the past.
Always proud to be an American

And while your wanting to prosecute someone how about dragging your buddy Barney Frank in? Look at the mess he has caused by forcing banks and loan institutions into making bogus loans. Or better yet what about his other buddy Ted Kennedy? Here is a man who murdered a woman and got away with it. Oh I forgot he gave you a dog.

well good so what will cheney say?

Who knows, maybe we actually learned something from that supposed torture – like averting another attack. You people are so shallow that you would jeopardize our security for your hatred of the republicans. Our enemies are laughing at us now, between their planning sessions, of course. All thanks to Obama and his goofballs. He is a dork.

If they are never prosecuted it shows the rest of the world that we think we are above the international law...wrong message.

I'm still trying to find anyone able to point to a law that makes it illegal to torture of non-uniformed combatants captured and detained on foreign soil. The U.S. Constitution doesn't apply, nor does the Geneva Convention. Re-read boh documents if you feel they do apply and you may be surprised.

Ha! You see fellow friends on the left?
Of course he's not going to go after the Bush officials just yet.
He's a smart guy, and he's building a case.
Be patient. We are asking him to play checkers when he's playing chess.

Those dangerous loons that you moonbats keep talking about kept you safe for the past 8 years. We have an economy thats in the tank, an out of control congress spending our money like wildfire and now Obama wants to prosecute those who helped keep us safe?

Get your priorities straight Mr. President instead of pandering to the looney left.

Right-wing Extremism: Current Economic and Political Climate Fueling Resurgence in Radicalization and Recruitment.

Rove at works!

I'm glad to see Obama keeping the door open for possible prosecution here. Bush and Chenney should definitely be the first ones to answer for approving torture. If Amerca won't I sure hope other international bodies will. I still remember the pictures of torture of civilians in IRAQ where the people were dehumanized through rape and other hideous things done to them. You're going to tell me Bush and Chenney didn't know about this until the pictures came out? Please.

Bush and Cheney are the real criminals. JAIL THEM !!!

First bowing to the Saudi King and now this. Just what country is he trying to defend and protect?

Where is Rove now. The controller of the world?

Obama, you better not. One day you will be out of office and they will come for you. Dangerous precident to set.

Indict them immediately.

yeah, prosecute Bush for safeguarding the country...while you run around kissing up to radical muslims and dictators...I can't wait until Obama and his cronies are up on charges....I still say Gov Rod has the dirt on both Obama and Emanuel, and he's been paid to keep his mouth shut. It's a shame our country has stooped so low as to have this type of inferior leadership. The world is laughing at us

I really think our President and the rest of America need to put some of these issues that have no affect on our future to rest, and move on.

The interrogation practices are not something we should all be happy about, but lets be realistic here. The following years after 9/11, we as Americans were angry and wanted answers as well as someones head for the terrorist attack on us. So we capture some prisoners, and we tortured them because I bet you deep down, we all wanted someone to pay one way or another. And that's just what happened.

Lets move on.

Now we will see if our Attorney General has more courage then his claim that the American people don´t , as it relates to race issues.
Go for it Mr. Attorney General. Start Top Down, or Bottom Up. Just do it.

Now the matter is clear. President Obama released the most innocuous of the "smoking gun" of the Bush torture escapade and waited for the deluge of calls for an investigation. There is no Argentina for Bush-era thugs,

Article 1, section 9 of the United States Constitution. Read it.

President Obama may feel the actions taken by President Bush's administration/the Justice Department/ the CIA were unconstitutional.....I feel they may have been too....but the head of the Executive office allowing for the Legislature to submit for the judicial prosecution people whose old actions will be judged on a new interpretation of law...

...is quite literally removing boundaries of our checks and balances to pursue the ex post facto law.

That is NOT legitimate, no matter how much personal dislike of the former President you may have.

(Whether unconstitutional actions in a time of war, ex. President Lincoln suspending habeus corpus in the Civil War, are justified or not is another matter entirely)

All show and no go.

He cannot prosecute anyone for this. Any suggestion otherwise is an attempt to pander to the crazy left.

This is pathetic politics and most of us are starting to see through it.

I can hardly wait for justice to be served on the right wing reign of terror. We must prosecute Bush/Cheney and their policy-makers so that we never go down this road again.

Super, he's open to the idea of probes.

Great, prosecute the people who have been keeping the country safe for years for all you liberal, left-wing imbeciles. What's next, prosecute the students who wish to say the Pledge of Allegiance in their schools? Nobama 2012.

obama is the lost moral bearing. Releasing water boarding information that is classified but not releasing the documents that shows we were able to capture terrorists from this. What a LOSER you have put into the White House.

Hey! Another chance to be hypocritical. While they're at it, let's try and convict the entire congress. Are you ignorant enough to think they didn't know?

This makes me happier than you can possibly imagine.

Good! Leave the door WIDE open, as there needs to be some accountablilty here. I would love to see Chaney in an orange jump suit, it would make my day.

its about time ! Cheyney and Rove need to be the first to go!

I'd have to agree that there should be people prosecuted. There were some blatantly wrong things done. We committed actions on others that we'd never want to happen to our own troops. We're above that kind of stuff.

Just remember the Nuremberg trials after World War II...saying "I was just following orders" doesn't make things OK. And in my opinion, neither does redefining what's "legal" just so you can get away with stuff.

start with Cheney

The officials who authorized harsher interrogation methods should be praised not prosecuted. The bottom line is that the intelliegence gained from these interrogations saved American lives. I think we should all place a higher degree of morality on saving the lives of our fellow citizens than on the momentary hurt done to those who would kill us.

This is truly fantastic news from our government.

America doesn't torture - and those who think they can somehow justify torture are getting ready to face the music, played by someone other than Mr. Cheney.

BRAVO PRESIDENT OBAMA!!!!!!!.

Jimmy...protected us? 9/11 actually happened. How do you call that "protected us"? That rock you've been living under is causing your eyes to squint

Much, much better plan, Mr. President.

I see cheney's heart.....It is an evil heart!

Yeah, maybe we should have asked the Al Qaeda detainees politely to give us information that would enable us to prevent further attacks to our country. Wake up people!! When our fellow American's lives are at stake we should want our government to do anything and everything in its power to protect US first. Let's say one of your family members were captured by a terrorist organization and we had in our custody someone that knew exactly where they were but would not talk. How do you feel about those tactics now? Not so bad anymore...

Jimmy Boy: How sad… The people who have protected us are not under this weight.

You have short lived memory.

It was only under the watch of your so called protectors that America has lost more than 3000 men and women on its soil. Please wake up

I also find it a bit tiresome, that Cheney keeps telling us that President Obama is compromising "security" in this country.

Ummm....didn't the biggest, single terrorist attack in the United States happen on HIS watch!

Either they broke US and/or international laws or they didn't. Partisan politics has nothing to do with this issue – in spite of some of the too little, too late whining we see here.

Attorneys writing the rationale behind the sanctioning of torture were using their expertise and education to further their purposes – now they are facing the possibility of paying dearly for the semantic, and very likely criminal gamesmanship they so much enjoyed.

Prosecute them! Prosecute them!

Let the right wing know he is no apologist!

All involved in the process from the requester (GB or DC?) of the legal opinion which would support his decision to "authorize" these techniques down to the minions who carried out the procedures must be brought to justice.

No less than the justice brought to all levels of Nazis (A.H. down to an army private) who participated in the genocide of millions.

Prosecute the thugs now!

Shame on you President Obama for not prosecuting Bush and Cheney and their sadistic brood, John Yoo, Baddington, et. al, for torture. Torture is a violation of LAW, here at home, as well as internationally and you don't have the right to ignore the LAW, President Obama. We have already had eight years of a President and vice president ignoring the law and thinking they were above it. NO MORE!!! Prosecute all involved so that there is accountability for them violating our laws. As citizens, we are held accountable for breaking our laws but since Nixon, the Presidents think they are above the law, well you are not. NO MORE!! Prosecute NOW!

If you write the rules under which torture is to be carried out and direct your agencies to do it, you've violated the Geneva convention and set up a very bad situation for our own future POWs. I think they've got more than enough evidence to prosecute Cheney and Rumsfeld. They should be held accountable for what was done.

what goes around comes around. this is such a joke.

If the U.S. doesn't investigate and prosecute where applicable then the present administration is just as guilty as those criminals in the Bush administration.

The entire world is watching as they know it is only a matter of time before the Republicans get back in power to do the same things all over again. Read the definition of a psychopath in any dictionary and then look at all the current Republicans and see if you can find one that doesn't fit that definition to a tee.

please ask chenet where did the 8 billion dollars that went missing in iraq go? whose pockets?....and they claimed at the time that it didn't need accountability.....thieves, corrupt, reptiles

obama is the one who should be impeached he has violated the constitution of the united states with his socialist programs where in the heck does he get authority in the constitution to take over banks and the auto industry. where does he get the right to confiscate our childrens childrens future where does he get the right to decide what business is green enough for govt funds who the hell is he to say how we should live our lives all you obama koolaide drinkers take a good look at the ersions of your rights from the 1st amendment on this is not change ***********its chains******* to a big all intrusive govt lead by obama and his wackos

While this is awesome news, its not Obama's decision to make. I think that's why he made this statement today. His previous statements about not prosecuting have stepped on the toes of the Justice Department – its their call not his, which I think he has now accepted. The republicans should be pleased with him really...he's been trying to avoid prosecuting the Bush administration. He's been protecting their sorry behinds while they all (with the exception of W.) have been running their mouths about him. The fact of the matter is that the President cannot decide when someone is prosecuted for breaking the law. People keep saying its not a good time for these prosecutions to happen. Can you imagine someone saying that in any other legal case? Imagine that your friend is murdered but everyone thinks its a BAD TIME to bring the killer to justice. There should be no such thing as choosing whether or not to prosecute someone. If there's evidence that laws have been broken, prosecution MUST occur. We have tons of evidence that these people broke American and International law – not to mention they keep going on Fox News and bragging about it. Let them defend themselves...if they truly did nothing wrong they will be cleared. Imagine the uproar if American soldiers were tortured by somewhere like France. We would demand justice. But everyone acts like "Noooo we're America, we're awesome and we don't do anything wrong, ever." I think Cheney better shut up and start kissing up to Obama so he can get a nice little pardon down the road...

And he weasels out of another promise. You can bet Pelosi, Reid et al will now step up the pressure for their own partisian interests and Obama has already shown a complete unwillingness to stand up to his co-presidents. That will ever change – he's too weak to do so.

The good news is that if they proceed on this, nothing else will be accomplished in Washington and process of government will gring to a halt. As a result they won't do anymore to screw things up.

Well here goes Obama Bin Laden again!What's he prosecuting them for?Protecting our countr from another 9/11?HOW DARE THEY?!

One and Done. The techniques listed in the Obama-era budgets, reflected… us losing our common sense bearings.

Let's see...we attacked Iraq, because the have WMD's (but,,,don't we have WMD in this country?). Oh, but Saddam was torturing his own people..(but...didn't we do the same thing...to his people?)

Did Bush, Cheney and Haliburton make millions in Iraq?

In my opinion, George Bush and Dick Cheney are two of the biggest war criminals in history – and prosecution would be the correct action to take with them!

Yeah prosecute that DICK cheney.

Which technically means Cheney SHUT UP. Dick Cheney behaves like America belongs to him. No one should not have succeeded Bush and him. They should have stayed in power for life. He shows no respect for the admnistration. He's just an angry man always looking for a fight with the new administration.

Go Obama! Take the fight to Cheney. He will know when to talk and when to shut up. At least, if he's sent to guantanamo, he will have enough time to talk while cooperating with investigators.

Take the fight to his court

This whole conversation between the White House and Mr. Cheney is beginning to feel like a rope-a-dope. Can't wait until Cheney slips up and says something incrimminating.

Prosecute them and prosecute them hard.

They have all attempted to subvert our American ideals into fear-based policies of secret prisons, suspending due process and using the very tactics for which we claim to condemn others. Prosecute and hope that the next group of thugs that tries this will remember and think twice. There is a right and wrong way to secure our nation and maintain our integrity as a people.

"He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." – Friedrich Nietzsche

Bush and Cheney ignored the law and as such they should be punished to the fullest extent the law allows. You do the crime, you do the time.

Please prosecute Bush and all of his staff members for war crimes, wire taps and private document recovery without warrant, and for Treason in the highest for aiding known terrorists- both foreign and domestic. These are all verifiable facts that NO one has done ANYTHING about! He and his cronies have been above the law for too long-

The law is the law, and those who break it need to be accountable. I completely agree that the moral compass has been lost and needs to be regained.

Obama is doing what terrorists could not – harrass and persecute US officials.

Obama, appeasing our enemies and detractors, is all-to-ready to throw Americans under the bus.

If we are going to look backwards to prisoner holding, etc. then you have only scratched the surface. Look at every military engagement/war since the founding of our Nation and fully examine the archives also. This would be most interesting since witnesses from many of these events may no longer be living, but may have written testimony as to violation of the same principles. This should occupy time, expense, and endless efforts to full trace out.

When, where, who, how, if, should involve deep probing to keep us busy for quite a few years!

You have begun a new day, so start to move on and accomplish your new, but different road map for such purposes...I hope also that opponents of this nation will respect your principles and do the same, but THAT REMAINS TO BE SEEN! The ultimate question may be how far do we go to protect our national security as a Nation???

obama is a moron, why would your prosecute the people who have kept this country free. Ok so what if we waterboarded a couple of people. What do you think happens to our troops if they get captured, there not put up in a hotel somewhere and served steak and shrimp. They get it a lot worse then what we give war criminals. Now if people will try to attack us since they know nothing is going to happen to them. I can't wait till obama first term is up, I hope he doesnt ruin this country where we can't bounce back.

The President has many conflicting issues to balance.

1.) Threats against his life by monied interests with a stake in the outcome of any investigations / prosecutions

2.) Keeping highly partisan Republican Congressmen and Senators focused on "DOING THE PEOPLE's BUSINESS" while their friends, Bush Administration officials, are held accountable for crimes they have committed.

3.) Making progress on Healthcare Reform, Renewable Energy and Education Reform ... all of which are REQUIRED to lift the boats of working Americans.

Our President is right to hand this over to AG Eric Holder. Bet those idiot republicans on the confirmation committee that voted AGAINST Mr. Holder wish they had made nice with him now! Being an unprincipled antagonist has consequences.

I hope the American people are smart enough to give President Obama a Democratic Majority of 62 or more Senators so that he can continue to make progress while the Republicans POUT about these investigations / prosecutions.

Is anybody going to ask President Obama why Bagram AFB is any different than Gitmo?

Thank Goodness.

The pursuit of torture by american leaders is an abominal act of treason and to the founding blocks of our great nation.

The rewards we gained from torture? Two buildings hit, 5k soldiers dead, 3k american civilians dead, 2 wars not won, the culprit (Osama Bin Laden) still at large. Yea, sounds like it really paid off, NOT! Cheney is in la-la land. He didn't protect us, nor did his boss...we were attacked for the first time on our soil in SIXTY years (heck, Carter kept us safe at home his ENTIRE term in office).

Bring them all down and burn them at the stake. They deserve no rights since they are not by my standards, true americans!

People don't get all excited, they will never be charged of these crimes. Remember who they are, where they come from, and the color of their skin. These people think they are god and they can't be touch, and by the view of this country, they stand correct. This country will always be one sided until we leave this god aweful place.

Black men are arrested and sent to prison for looking like they comitted a crime, whereas these guys have hardcore evidence against them and they will not be charged or sentenced to prision. So get over it, they will go on living their wealthy lives at the expense of the average citizen. Rich, white men rule!!! Don't ya'll know?

Everyone who was responsible for issuing orders for torture should be prosecuted, and I applaud our President.

However, Mr. President, I would like to personally ask you to go one step further. Please consider the seven enlisted soldiers who were prosecuted, dishonorably discharged, and humiliated when the photos were leaked from Abu Ghraib. Ms. England particularly seems to have been a victim of those in authority all the way down the line, even from her enlisted colleagues.

If you can find it in your heart and in the eyes of the law to not hold those responsible in the CIA, then you must look at the entire picture and excuse those who have already been prosecuted. They should be honored for their time in service, have their GI benefits reinstated, and have the option of continuing their military careers. After all, they were simply doing the jobs they were committed to doing as instructed by the Commander in Chief and the Vice President of the United States.

What a sad day in the history of this great country. Thank God, the majority of the Americans recognized this problem and have attempted to correct it by electing Barack Obama. Good luck Mr. President and First Lady as you continue your endeavors to restore American Pride!!!

Once again Obama shows what good leadership and a clear understanding of our constitution is all about.

He need not get involved directly, its best that this be handled by the justice department. That's where it belongs. The less political this is the better off we'll all be.

By approving "torture" of captured individuals, the Bush/Cheny/Rumsfeld/Gonzales cabal put every member of the U.S. Armed Forces in greater danger if captured. This danger to our Armed Forces will not go away and is a continuing threat. Total disregard of the U.S. Constitution, laws and the Geneva Conventions warrant immediate prosecution of all who concieved and approved these torture methods.

This is crap. Tha administration didn't do many things right, but they did keep us from being attacked again. If we had been attacked, then the adminstration would have been accused of not doing enough to protect us.

Again, I am not a Bush apologist in any way, but with regards to this issue, the administration was left in a no-win situation.

In regards to Obama, I voted for him, but I am sick and tired of his America bashing tour. Our interrogation techniques should not be on the front pages of worldwide newspapers.

I mean really, does he think that the Bin Laden will look at his comments and say "Well, now that Obama confessed, we will put our weapons down?" NO!!!!

He will take those comments, turn to his surrogates, and tell them to use the comments to recruit more women and children because they offer proof that America needs to be destroyed.

we should of put hillary in there shes way smarter then that stupid so called president. keep your head down like the picture you should not be there one term only

Those who have not a conscience enough to know right from wrong and should be prosecuted... Nazi War criminals have always tried to hide behind the excuse that they were just doing their job, but when it comes to G*D's laws of human decency there is no hiding... Those who cross the line should be punished at least so that the value of the human conscience be championed...

The terrorists are not good people but to torture them sinks below the level of a terrorist... Truth and conscience are the only measure of rightiousness and victory. Until this stain is removed, America has lost this battle in all arena's.

Very Good
they all should go in front of justice.

Saddam tortured people and Bush/Cheney used that as a reason to capture and kill him after no WMD's. Did Bush/Cheney do the same thing? Cheney doesn't think so.

Forget war crimes...what about theft inside the Senate?? "On the day the new Congress convened this year, Sen. Dianne Feinstein introduced legislation to route $25 billion in taxpayer money to a government agency that had just awarded her husband's real estate firm a lucrative contract to sell foreclosed properties at compensation rates higher than the industry norms, the Washington Times reported on Tuesday.

Mrs. Feinstein's intervention on behalf of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. was unusual: the California Democrat isn't a member of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs with jurisdiction over FDIC; and the agency is supposed to operate from money it raises from bank-paid insurance payments – not direct federal dollars.

Spokesmen for the FDIC, Mrs. Feinstein and Mr. Blum's firm told The Times that there was no connection between the legislation and the contract signed Nov. 13, and that the couple didn't even know about CBRE's business with FDIC until after it was awarded."

biggest joke of the century....liberals talking about a moral compass

He should ask Perry and Ron Paul to apologize as well for hinting at seccession. That kind of rhetoric in itself caters more to right-wing extremism than any report will do.

Keep Guantanamo open and Send all Retrogracan there....

Everyone on this board needs to wake up and realize that if not for these "Fear Factor" styles of interrogation methods we could be looking at a very different form of America right now. Love them or hate them, these methods kept us safer, and to send the responsible parties to prison would represent an astounding level of injustice.

I would love to see this happen, but I predict that it will not.

Since we have published past interrogation techniques, why not publish what we learned from those techniques and let the American people decide?

I guess this White House is too busy apologizing to rogue states and terrorists to bother.

Chi Town and Dumocrat Alert:
If this were a group of Democrats, the Republicans would be all over them like a cheap suit! Remember the ruckus you made on Clinton? If half of what is being discussed about "W" and the rest of his crew is true, it will make Clinton look like he was convicted of jaywalking! What's good for the Democrats must be good for the Republicans. You can't have it both ways. If there was nothing to hide, then let the investigation begin. Shut up and stand aside!

BUSH, CHENEY, ROVE, RUMSFELD, RICE.... go after all of them. They screwed this country and LIED AND LIED AND LIED.....

and just watch how fast they bail the country.....

Good thinking! The trial should go rather quickly as Cheney has already confessed!!! Yippee!

To Obama Mama...
I picture the chair breaking from your name

obama is setting a precedent – we'll never get information again b/c everyone will be fearful of prosecution. When will this madness end?

This is an outrageous betrayal to those who have kept us safe. Obama is pandering to his BDS base.

What a waste of time and money. Focus on the economy. If what was done kept our country safer – which it has, then let it be. Every time a new party takes control of the White House, the winner party goes after after the loosing party and for what reason? One simply, for political gain.

Round 'em up!

This is a VERY sad day. For the first time in my adult life, I am not proud of my country. Bush served this country well. I can't wait until 2012, then we can start the prosecution of BO.

Well say Mr. President the world is watching .. thanks to you

I say, he need to!

And where does it stop? Seriously ... what happens if something horrible comes out regarding members of the Clinton Admin?? Do you prosecute them? What about Carter? Or Nixon? And while I'm asking ... what is to prevent the next GOP Administration from prosecuting Obama or members of his administration for what they consider "criminal acts"? (Broad definition "criminal") What is to prevent this sort of action from devolving into political witch hunts of the opposition for no other reason than to destroy one's political enemies?

But then again ... isn't that all this really is??

Just one thing to all those pushing for prosecutions of the Bush Admin ... be careful what you wish for ... you may just get it. Once prosecutions of former administrations is established , then all administrations, Democrat and Republican, will be open for prosecution as well.

Think about it.

This is the beginning of the end of sanity and our enemies will use Obama and the Demcrats. It's that simple.

We didn't cut heads off and we didn't kill anyone and no blood was shed by these prisoners.

You're all like a bunch of illiterate townfolk in an old western. Relax, sit down and watch.

You don't even know what really transpired and you're ready to do people harm.

SO who are you going to bash after the next attack is made possible by the vindictive mob?

Mob mentality. Always works wonders.

bush protect us not like obama giving up our secrets. what do u people think the other countrys do to our people they hold hostage. these people that we had are trying to kill us lets not forget 911 obama one term only before we all die

Well its a start Barack, but, don't ya think you jumped the gun last week in saying you wouldn't prosecute agents if they were "just following orders"?

You are a strange thinker if you want justice for one group and not for another. Get your act together Mr. President, you are further deteriorating our image across the world. Uphold the law and prosecute anyone who violated the law. Its that simple Mr. President. Equal Protection.

Thank you, Mr. President.

It's about time.

Can we prosecute the tax cheats?????

next time if we don't hold them accountable. Just like with the pirates that were let go.

All i can say is 'wow'. It is unbelieveable what this administration is doing. yeah, my guy lost and 'that one' won. I was ready to move on, give him a chance and see what happens. But, ffs, all this guy does is look backwards. He has absolutely NO RESPECT for the office he holds. No administration has so blatently based their predecessors. He needs to take a lesson in statementship from George W. who holds his tongue and chooses not to criticize this inexperienced puppy who holds the office. If obama wants to divide this country, this is surely the path.

DO IT! Eric Holder!!! DO IT NOW!

it is the right thing to do americans want answer.

Now that his hindparts is in the cross-hairs of the Justice Department, Ex-VP Dick Cheney (and that "ex" is not for executive) claims that good things came from torture.

I don't believe him and even if I did, we don't live in a country where we operate under the premise that the "ENDS justify the MEANS".

That would be Somalia .... where because of extreme poverty, poor farming conditions, and OVERFISHING by Russian, Chinese, Japanese commercial fleets, former Somali fishermen have turned to PIRACY to earn a living. Things there are so bad, a guy is smiling at the prospect he'll end up in a US jail.

Perhaps this puts Cheney's continued comments in perspective? Do we still accept that the "ends justify the means"?.

The law is the law. If it were President Obama he would be prosecuted. Look what happened to Clinton. And the fine upstanding
Kent Star said the law is the law.

Bush and his associates should be under prosecution for starting a war that should have not happened at all. All the info was not true about Weapons of Mass Distruction.
If this had to do with Weapon of Mass Distruction and al-quida, we should have been in Alfgan from the beginning, not Iraq.
The United States should have gone after Bin-laden from the start, than Hussien for war crimes afterwards.
The United States does everything backwards, than it is woo is us.
All these people in Washington are professional Politicians that is all, and they have no working professional back ground for the work they do.

The buck stops somewhere. If it is not with the actual perpetrators, because they thought they were following orders, then it must be with the senior officials who gave those orders and wrote the justifications of torture.

Careful what you ask for, Mr. President.

What goes around comes around. You're a pretty bright guy when it comes to politics... but those who surround you? Hmmmm... I think not.

I agree, especially if they were simply acting on orders from Bush and Cheney.
Those 2 are who should be prosecuted

It's about time. Darth Cheney just smirks and sneaks his way around the law all the time.

PROSECUTION of that evil one is in order – NOW.

I hate to tell all of You on the Looney Left this, but,,, The Bush Administration did nothothing Illeagal Period! If they had, the Looney Left that actually has some power, would have Impeached Him while He was still in office. Are You Wack Jobs really too stupid to understand that??

You people wishing for the prosecution of those trying to protect us are idiots. You are also a bunch of women (yes, even those of you with male names). I wonder how loudly you or your children would squeal when the likes of those being interrogated infiltrate this country and have their way.

I also wonder how much outcry there would be from you pansies when it's reported the same acts are being carried out under a liberal administration which, according to those still at Gitmo (didn't Obama promise to shut it down?) is still going on. Wake up morons.

Good! The dirty dealing this gang of political thugs got away with still amazes me. It's nice to know that they may well be called out on at least some of their elitest policies.

Great! Someone has to pay for what the Bush administration did to this economy. Let's see UNJUST WAR IN IRAG, WAR CRIMES, not to mention the domino effect on the economy. Cheney should be first on the list.

If one of the Gitmo "released detainees" commits an act of terrorism, will the door be left open to procecute Obama as an accomplice?

They should be tried for "Crimes Against Humanity"...

As a law-abiding citizen of this country, I am entitled to know what my government did during the Bush years and if they indeed broke the law, I am fully expecting that they be prosecuted. No one in this land is above the law.

They should be tried for "Crimes Against Humanity"...it is a pity that some Americans still don't get it.

I really can't stand the repubs and thier evil views, but I am reminded that I should pray for my enemies. May God have mercy on all of us. This whole planet is in trouble.

You people are crazy Bush had to do to keep this county safe. that is a big mistake Obama! I would like to know who side you are on.

Good then Obama is next to be prosecuted after latin american turn against us and Iran starts killing americans even more since clinton and obama kiss there butt

If we don't take action against Cheney and his cronies for these war crimes the UN will. We need to set a firm precedent for the future.

Personally I'd love to see Cheney waterboarded 183 times in a month.

Be very careful what you wish for. Tying the hands of the CIA and badmouthing the US to foreign countries makes the US look weak. I was really hopeful that Obama would be a uniter, but every time he gets some bad press, he either plays the "race card" or makes some big statement about the Bush administration as a diversionary tactic. He needs to get to work on the things that really matter. If you notice George Bush at least had some class. He refused to badmouth Clinton (even after they vandalized the White House and Air Force one)and he has refused to badmouth Obama.

Cheney first! Please! Cheney first!

And this is why all the hot air keeps on blowing from Darth Vadars's face. He knows he just might be in a bit of hot water, and it appears he might be right! Prosecute them. Jail them and throw away the keys.

Cheney is hoping to talk all of his upcoming prosecution away.

Let's see if we let him.
Maybe if he barks loud enough? Arrf, Arf, Arf.

Tell that to the men who found their buddies in the Delta with their body covered with cigareet burns, their genitals hacked off and shoved in their mouth and then shot with their own gun........\War is Hell and the winners have to be meaner than Hell!

obama do you really love your country? you are giving up our cia secrets, what is wrong with you ? you should support us not the other countries get your head together you are only going to last one term thank god. you are setting are country up for more attacks, dont tell our secrets be a true president and protect us! take care of us first and then the other countries you should not be in that house you dont respect it . usa is who you work for remember that obama!

what about his order to green light the killing of three somoli nationals...........what did they do wrong?

hold a US national captive and demand money......................

and now he has started a holy war with another crazy wing of islam....

but since right cant get a handle on this and the left is sssoooooo short sighted on this matter i bet lunch it will fall through the cracks

Great idea! Let's waste more time and tax pay money trashing the prior administration!

Get over it Obama and start worrying about what you need to do and not what others did before you! You seem to have no problem overlooking the past actions and words of certain foreign leaders (i.e. "former enemies" of the U.S.) so why bother with this? Oh wait, I guess you still need to continue to appease the world and belittle America in the process.

The "World" wants JUSTICE, on the illegal torturing. This is a good, and very welcoming BEGINNING for America to “Re-Brand” its image in the Global Human Rights! One must be a Good Leader for others to Follow!!

Excellent Move by President Obama and there are many more to come.

It just shows yet again how inexperienced his is for the job. He is a boy in a mans position. Big Brother might want to rethink this........ I hope he would pull out all the stops to protect this country........ Of course that will not matter, his cult like supporters will support anything he does.

Go get 'em!!!! And to those who think that its just the "loony left" that wants this justice to be done, think again. Wake up from your despicable fairytale! Those that opossed Hitler's rise in Germany were also called names by the rightwing underbelly of that nation. You politically motivated excusers and justifiers of the Bush-Cheney regime do a severe injustice to all true conservatives who love the constitution and to the culture that informed the creation and sustainment of this country.

Prossecute please! Enlightened Voter said it best. President Clinton lied about a sexual act, a crime against his wife. Bush's and Cheney lie about war, war crimes, they lie about lieing, they lie about stealing. We have been lied to for the last thirty years. We are now under the command of a good and honest man sho is doing his best to fix what has been done.

Cheney said he would donate all his war proceeds to charity. I am yet to see a reciept for any donation.

Mr. President, you are carrying a tremendous load on your shoulders. I am very proud to be an American again-it's been a very long time since I could say that. I hope and pray that more of our citizenry will soon realize the effort you are putting forth to correct so many wrongs that have been committed in the past. I don't intend to give you "advice" as so often is the case on most blogs. I voted for you because I believe in your intelligence and your sincerity in wanting what is best for our country.

As an older, white, Southern grandmother, I'm thankful for what you are doing for my sons and grandchildren. God bless you and your wonderful family.

A South Carolinian who will never again vote "RED".

I find it interesting that President Obama says "us losing our moral bearings"
Apparently, he found his "moral bearings" when he decided to broaden the opportunity to murder unborn children through abortion.

So, if war crimes were committed, what reason would we have not to prosecute? Or has the GOP been reduced to saying publicly that we should torture prisoners?

passing the buck?? way to stand up loser..............

Obamas poll numbers are dropping at a rate that will make Bush's poll numbers look good sometime in the next couple of months. I hope he tries to prosecute because his approval numbers will be similar to the number of wins by the local DC baseball squad

It's about time.

Do not pass Go, go directly to jail, Bushies..

The hate that comes out of this adminstration is frightening. If Obama's thugs are going to prosecute for keeping our country safe, then after the next terrorist attack on this country, Obama should be shot for treason.

I know this won't show up on the blog, but The Democrats who signed off on this stuff in the house and senate intelligence committees deserve some of the scorn and vitrol you all sling at Bush, Cheney, Rove, et al. NONE OF THIS COULD HAVE HAPPENED WITHOUT THEIR KNOWLEDGE AND CONSENT. If you are goin gto be ignorant, at least be fair.

The Bush Gang SHOULD be held accountable. "We Don't tortue" was the famous words that Pres. Bush used over and over.
Maybe we should waterboard Bush and Chenney and see if it really is torture.

With Daniel Andreas San Diego being added to the FBI's most wanted list, I think left wingers need to worry more about their own extremists. There are crazy people on both ends of the political spectrum - and McCain is right on this one. Issuing a report suggesting that veterans are more likely to be recruited by right wing extremist groups is insulting and demeaning to those who have sacrificed much to defend this country. Kudos to McCain for speaking up.

Perfect! Cheney needs to stop boasting about torturing other human being in public like he has been doing.

Cheney has been trying to desensitize people to inhumane behaviors by talking about torture while the children are up and watching TV.

We hanged Germans for water boarding during second world war. Now Cheney is trying to boast about it in public.

Shame on the inhumanity in the few human!

We have held foreign governments accountable for their war crimes. Granted there are crimes worse than others, but our officials should be held accountable to the law. If, after an investigation is completed and is found to have broken the law, then by all means put them on trial. One more thing; I was following orders; in no excuse. Did not these CIA agents know that what they were doing was morally wrong. The US has been the first to say, following orders, is no excuse. It is time to practice what we preach. If this is swept under the carpet, what kind of message does that send. Not a good one.

This man will ruin America.

In countries like Pakistan, the first thing the new government does is to throw the previous administration folks in Jail, and the chain goes on. They don’t realize that some day the current administration becomes the previous administration.
Pelosi and Obama have a few similar ambitions; the difference is, Pelosi does it for vengeance, and Obama does it for political gains.

I would just prosecute Rove and Cheyney. I like Bush but he is simple minded. He may have been drunk when Cheyney gave the ok for the torture.

How can the corrupted Obama administration have any credibility on morals and law when all I've heard is that they are potentially breaking laws and showing extremely poor morals themselves? Clean you own house before you clean any one else's. I'm sure the next administration will have a very busy time prosecuting these derelicts in the Obama administration and possibly Obama himself.

No there are not any complicated issues. Torture was committed in violation of numerous laws. Those who authorized torture, and those who committed it need to be held accountable, period! There is no ambiguity!

If an elected government official ignores the Constitution and breaks the law, they should be prosecuted. Bush, Cheney and certainly Gonzales deserve whatever.

the best part would be all the people in congress who also knew about all this....and did nothing they would also be guilty...or are we just going to keep hitting the republicans and turn this country into a one part system.....what kind of democracy is that?

I forgot, all you have to do is have tea with the terrorists and they will spill their guts!! LOL

How do you think we protect ourselves from barbarians? If they were human, sure lets talk. But we are dealing with animals that want to kill any American they see... and that includes the liberal sheep.

WAKE UP AMERICA!

The door was always open. I heard him myself a while ago stating that his intention is to look forward rather than backward and that it would be better for the country. However he also said no one was above the law and if the trail led to something then it should be followed. I heard that myself...not second hand.

Huh. Interesting. I had a feeling. And I have to agree with him.

Well done Mr. President. You said that you wanted to be truly informed on a subject before speaking about it and so you are, and now you have. Though I do suggest that those that followed orders and carried out the tortures be given intense psychiatric treatment. They are going to have a very hard time functioning for a long time.

I'm thinking that the GOP and whomever else thought they would be able to run over our new President.... NOT!!!!!!!

NO ONE is above the law. Violators must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, ESPECIALLY the perpetrators who conspired to break or circumvent our laws....

@ Chi Town:

Bush already opened it 8 years ago. Obama is trying to seal it.

If people committed crimes, they should be prosecuted. If they didn't, they shouldn't. Simple. What am I missing?

If there's no accountability for breaking international laws like the last administration has done, what's to stop future administrations from doing worse? We can't just look away and pretend nothing happened, it'll come back around.

The world will be a better place once Cheney is in jail!

Recall that the burden of proof rests with the administration. Can they really prove they broke the law? I am skeptical that can be done objectively.

Obama, you MUST do it. It's the only way to make sure that this disgraceful crime will never happen again.

"interrogations techniques that some call torture" ??? It IS torture!!! Let's not sugarcoat this - it's so demeaning to intelligent people to see how CNN is trying to spin this. I used to trust CNN, now you are pitiful (except for Jack).

Ooowweee Barack is looking good here. So FINE!

Good for you Obama. I think this is great! Can we start with the bone head Cheney?? He talks to much.

we may not. have much to appologize for but let us appologize for what we need appologize .healing comes when we recognize
the wrong done and willing to make a u-turn.

War is war, and war is hell. Get over it. This is one reason everybody is pushing us all around, and beating up on us all around the world. We are too soft. We have everyone laughing at us.

America doesn't torture.

If those who ordered and carried out these crimes are not prosecuted, the flood-gates of brutality will be opened.

The "Nuremberg defense" didn't wash in the 1940s and it doesn't wash today. These were crimes against humanity, and the perpetrators should be prosecuted.

Yes !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

any more out-burst by cheney?............please............

They will all need to look at Dems too, especially those on the Intelligence Committees that knew and approved of previous actions should they wish to go forward.

This is the best news I have heard in such a long time!!!

I hope Cheney gets life.

Obama is an exteme abortion rights provider but George Bush has lost his moral bearing for protecting the lives of Americans. What a joke.

Haven't these past three months been torture enough?

I don't like torture, but most of the things in these memos clearly weren't torture. Nearly every kid afraid of bugs has had a bug put in his face on a playground. It's not nice but it's not torture.

I DO want our country to be safe and if you can demonstrate actionable intelligence from these interrogations that saved lives then I'm okay with it. This is not a game. These terrorists don't care about rules. We need to find and kill Osama Bin Ladin. If you find him alive and torture him to get info to stop the next attack then so what. He probably deserves to be tortured after 9/11.

Politically, persecution and prosecution over torture will back fire on the democrats (especially if al queada successfully attacks us again).

Bush, Cheney, and Rumsfield get a free ticket to the Hague.
War crimes, are war crimes regardless of who decided it was OK.

Don't just leave the Door Open, Prosecute the Head Hoods...........Bush and Cheney!!!!!!! Since the GOP keep placing blame..........Let's see them get behind OBAMA and Prosecute Bush and Cheney for their war crimes

GOOD!

Prosecute them!

Good, Cheney, I am giving you the privilege of being FIRST on the list. Get vocal now.

Dick Cheney should be the first one! I think the reason he is speaking out so loudly against Obama is to gain support so his lying, racist, mean, hateful, angry, evil behind won't be put in jail for war crimes and economic crimes against America (Haliburton).

Cheney is an evil man... even GWB probably has issues with him running his mouth now.... What this shows is that Cheney manipulated our country and former president!

Just Evil at it's best and most vocal!

Bye Obama

You have now lost your mind.

Check the polls today... cause it's going to go through the floor soon.

One and done... Barry
And thanks for opening pandora's box on the future... and don't foget Kennedy and the rest of the Arms Services Comittee who where fully aware of everything... including Hillary Clinton

I agree

I don't know if Bush was smart enough to wrap his brain around the implications of this, but Cheney certainly was, as was Rove, Rumsfeld, Rice

prosecute them, this is one among many reasons to prosecute them, pick the one that you have the best evidence on and are most assured to win prosecution and make them answer for their transgressions against the U.S. and for putting the future of the U.S. in danger by torturing

I would certainly hope that not only is the door still open but that the welcome mat is out with the porch light on!

Cheney would want to shut up right now with all the criticism. He keeps pushing the GOP talking points; anything to demean or marginalize the work the president is doing.

I don't think its "tit for tat" but President Obama campaigned pro transparency. He didn't want to prosecute his long lost cousing (Cheney) but this former V.P. is truly the "black sheep" of the family – excuse the pu.

Prosecutions should start at the top. Leading the list should be Bush, Cheney and Rove. These guys should be behind bars and never heard from again.

Dick Chenney should be thrilled that Obama does not wish to prosecute him for allowing and giving the OK for torture.

BIG MISTAKE Obama...quit trying to appease the loony left, you are already President...

I am dancing on my chair.....

70% of this country wants them to be prosecuted, so I say do it! They are criminals, and I also think cheney should be tried first, then rove, then bush! ALL are dangerous criminal loons! They are not one bit better than chavez or ackmadinajad, however you spell his name. They are all terrorist to this and other countries.

Bush, cheyney et al should be tried for treason, torture and other crimes. If the rethugs impeached clinton over a lie those guys should be in prison.

How sad... The people who have protected us are not under this weight.