Christine Smith's Blog

Will Justice be Sought?

Barack Obama, Independence, MO, June 30, 2008, “…I remember, when living for four years in Indonesia as a child, listening to my mother reading me the first lines of the Declaration of Independence – “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal. That they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” I remember her explaining how this declaration applied to every American, black and white and brown alike; how those words, and words of the United States Constitution, protected us from the injustices that we witnessed other people suffering during those years abroad. That’s my idea of America…”

Such an America demands that those who have purportedly violated federal law be criminally investigated, and if evidence is brought forth that crimes have been committed, that those believed to be responsible be brought to justice. It demands that the President who has sworn to, “preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States,” do so. Does Obama want his “idea” to remain just that, or will he make the seeking of justice the priority it should be, and thereby move the “idea” into reality? No one should be above the law. Does Obama believe in accountability? Does he believe the rule of law applies to all? Were those just fine words, mere rhetoric, or does he really empathize with those who have suffered injustices?

Pertaining to the topic of justice and Bush and his administration, several recent articles & opinion pieces I found of particular interest, and which I recommend:

No Reckoning for Bush
by Suzanne Goldenberg, Jan. 22, 2009

The effects of Obama’s refusal to investigate Bush crimes
by Glenn Greenwald, Jan. 20, 2009

Betraying the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King
by Andrew Hughes, Jan. 18, 2009

Turley: Obama ‘owns’ Bush ‘war crimes’ if he looks the other way
by David Edwards and Muriel Kane, Jan. 13, 2009

Prosecuting Bush
by Jacob G. Hornberger, Jan. 13, 2009

100 Days Checklist
Counter terror with justice: A 17 point checklist for President Barack Obama
by Amnesty International