Kristol Now Thinks Torture Debate Is ‘Healthy’ If Democrats Are Also The Focus

[laststeamtrain]

Kristol Now Thinks Torture Debate Is ‘Healthy’ If Democrats Are Also The Focus

Many conservatives have expressed outrage that President Obama earlier this month released four-Bush era Office of Legal Counsel memos that detail the Bush administration's legal justification for torture. Not only has the right criticized Obama for releasing the memos, but it has succumbed to defending the use of torture and argued vigorously that no official investigations should ensue.

<snip>

However, last night on Fox, Kristol pulled an about face, saying that any debate into the matter would be "healthy." Why? Because he wants to include the Clinton administration:

KRISTOL: I hope that debate goes to the whole, not just the last eight year, but the last 16 years. Let's discuss the Clinton administration, which had renditions, sent people they captured to places where they were treated. <...> But let's have a big debate about whether the Bush administration acted properly or not, and whether the Clinton administration acted properly or not, and how to act going forward in fighting this war on terror. I think it's a healthy debate.

Watch a video compilation of Kristol's evolution: http://thinkprogress.org/2009/04/28/kristol-torture-healthy/

[mike_c]

1. sounds good to me....

Every administration that used torture in violation of international law should be investigated and prosecuted if there's a case for crimes against humanity. I'm pretty certain that the Bush cabal will be at the head of the line, but if there's any others that are worse, I'm all in favor of moving them up where they belong.

[MannyGoldstein]

2. He Thinks Democrats Will Blindly Support Extraordinary Rendition

because Clinton started it and Obama's said he's keeping it.

And for once, Kristol's correct!

[karynnj]

5. I'm not so sure

Obviously, Kristol thinks that Obama will be deterred from any investigation to protect Clinton. However, there are many Democrats speaking of the need to get the truth out, to have accountability and to insure it wouldn't happen again. This does make the idea of a panel of respected people who would review it and write a report seems to have more and more support. From the left, it is the very very least that could be done. If there is sufficient push for this, it will be impossible for Obama to do nothing. I also think the people most pushing for it would say that if Clinton allowed torture then that too must be investigated. Bill Clinton is no more above the law than George Bush.

[Laelth]

3. I'd be OK with that.

Kristol is still a Neocon, and pure evil, but even a broken clock is right twice a day.

:dem:

-Laelth

[stillcool]

4. Wonderful!

[Canuckistanian]

6. Great!

I'll show you mine if you'll show me yours.