Obama, Holder as bad as Yoo?

There was a time when the United States was the undisputed world leader when it came to upholding the rule of law. We lost that reputation under George W. Bush. And now, even under President Obama, we are being outclassed and outshone by other nations.

This morning, the Washington Post reported that the British government has launched a criminal investigation to determine whether British intelligence officers were involved in the torture of a British resident detained by the United States.

Notably, the British Attorney General initiated the investigation and called on the police to investigate "as expeditiously as possible given the seriousness and sensitivity of the issues involved." British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said, "I have always made clear that when serious allegations are made they have got to be investigated."

While the British are seeking to restore international respect for their nation by adhering to the rule of law, President Obama is "looking forward" and Attorney General Eric Holder is twiddling his thumbs. Twelve days ago, the world read leaked details from an International Committee of the Red Cross report concluding that the treatment to which detainees were subjected while under the control of the CIA "constituted torture." Was this enough to spur Holder to act? Shockingly, no.

Is this what we have become? Are we, as a nation, going to do nothing about the fact that our leaders authorized and employed torture? If President Obama and Attorney General Holder refuse to launch a criminal investigation, then they are accessories after the fact in the torture themselves. They are no better or worse than individuals like John Yoo, who bent the law to allow the torture in the first place.

Can we please get upset about this? At the very least, please take a minute to send an E-mail to the Department of Justice, asking AG Holder why he is covering up torture. Just use the following link to get started:

http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2165/t/1027/campaign.jsp?campaign_K...

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