DISGRACEFUL - AT 6:32 P.M. ET:  From The New York Times:

WASHINGTON — President Obama on Tuesday left open the door to creating a bipartisan commission that would investigate the Bush administration’s use of harsh interrogation techniques on terrorism suspects, and he did not rule out taking action against the lawyers who fashioned the legal guidelines for the interrogations.

Mr. Obama, who has been saying that the nation should look ahead rather than focusing on the past, said he is “not suggesting” that a commission be established.

But in response to questions from reporters in the Oval Office, he said, “if and when there needs to be a further accounting,” he hoped that Congress would examine ways to obtain one “in a bipartisan fashion,” from people who are independent and therefore can build credibility with the public.

COMMENT:  One of the key things we worry about with Obama is weakness, and he certainly showed it today.  All he's doing is buckling under to the hard left of his party.  The damage this "commission" could do to a country at war is overwhelming.  During World War II we put off a public congressional inquiry into Pearl Harbor because it would damage morale and the war effort.  Apparently, Mr. Obama isn't aware of the precedent.  Someone please send a note.

How do we "take action" against lawyers who gave honest advice?  Do we say, "You gave advice the current administration doesn't agree with, therefore we prosecute you"?  What an incentive to recruit the best people for government service!

Buck up, Mr. President - both domestically and in foreign policy!  We try to be fair here, but there are limits to our indulgence.

April 21, 2009