Obama Totally Lost Nerve on Accountability for Torture
According to the Associated Press, military commanders in Iraq and Afghanistan are giving President Barack Obama the reasoning he needs to take a log off of the torture fire.
An Obama administration official said Wednesday that the president told his legal advisers last week that releasing the photos would endanger U.S. troops. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the discussions were private.
Obama wants the issue to go back to the courts, although federal appeals judges have ruled the photos could be released.
Is this political expediency?
Transcript: President Barack Obama Press Conference, First 100 Days, April 29
(Source: CNN)
President Obama: Please, be seated. Before we begin tonight, I just want to provide everyone with a few brief updates on some of the challenges we’re dealing with right now.
First, we are continuing to closely monitor the emergency cases of the H1N1 flu virus throughout the United States. As I said this morning, this is obviously a very serious situation, and every American should know that their entire government is taking the utmost precautions and preparations.
Our public health officials have recommended that schools with confirmed or suspected cases of this flu strongly consider temporarily closing. And if more schools are forced to close, we’ve recommended that both parents and businesses think about contingency plans if their children do have to stay home.
Video: President Obama Speech to Troops in Iraq
Text: President Obama Addresses Troops in Baghdad & Remarks After Meeting with General Odierno
(Source White House Press Office)
Transcript: Obama Addresses Troops
6:08 P.M. (Local)
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you. Thank you, guys. Let me say Multinational Force Iraq, Multinational Corps Iraq, Multinational Security Transition Command Iraq First Corps, America’s Corp Band: Thanks to all of you.
Listen, I am so honored.
AUDIENCE MEMBER: We love you.
Surprise Visit: Obama in Baghdad
- Obama Makes Unannounced Visit – New York Times
President Barack Obama has shown up in Baghdad today and intends to talk to U.S. troops. This guy is so different from former President Bush, the press corps has a betting pool on whether he’ll throw shoes at them.
What’s going to be real interesting is whether or not Obama will say anything new today or issue any presidential apologies for America’s past transgressions. Of all the apologies issued during this first overseas trip, the people of Iraq are most deserving.
