Trying to get the exact quote, but on George S, Rahm Emanuel just said in no uncertain terms that Obama has been working on this statement for 4 weeks and was personally editing it this week.
He said that the President does not want this to be a time for angry recriminations and retributions. He wants everyone to understand that this behavior is banned, period.
George S: What about those who devised the policy, I asked?
Rahm E: "Yeah, but those who devised the policy, he believes that they were, should not be prosecuted either," Emanuel said.
BUT, now, I must disagree with this President that I was giving the benefit of the doubt to, and it seems more credit than credit was due. Link to This Week segment with Rahm.
UPDATED: HUffpo front page link. Wow, the CA plan has legs! Jay Bybee: NYT Calls For Impeachment Of Torture Memo Author
Yes, President Obama has banned the execution of these specific practices. He used his executive power to do so, but to leave it at that, leaves torture as just that - an executively controlled power.
The point is that this sets the precedent that torture is a Presidential power to ban, or un-ban, rather than torture being illegal - a crime against humanity - a violation of the natural rights of man, any man, ever. And if we lose the next presidential election cycle, will we then see a leather folder come out with expensive pen attached for the public rescinding of the ban on torture? Will torture bans and un-bans become the stuff of political party theatre? Another predictable, banal, elections have consequences moment?
Now, I am not among those who want blood for blood, but rather, I want this lesson/ justice/ truth commission moment to be one we definitively learn from and collectively use to turn away from torture as an option as a people. I understand that we do need more grassroots support for this issue and the timing is terrible with so many American so tired and worried about basic needs like health care, shelter, food and jobs.
BUT, I am also not with our President that HE alone has the right to declare that he has banned it, case closed, nothing to see here, move on. Cue the bluebirds and rainbows. Nor am I ready to throw him under the bus, because my health care and energy policy would go with him.
Hmmmm. I'll be honest about feeling a bit thrown, here, myself. And, I think our President needs a push in this area. He has said that he'll make mistakes, and IMHO, he just made one. It's time to push without pushing him under the bus where he gets crippled and can't help us achieve the other things we want.
CA's efforts for the impeachment of Bybee is a good actionable response. I'll be interested to hear others' views as I continue to process this latest development on this issue.
Updated with link to dday's diary about CA effort to impeach Bybee. Yes We Can Impeach Bybee