The past isn't even past

The image of a howling pack of hyenas, braying at a recalcitrant White House, demanding it investigate the malfeasance of the Bush administration, is ironic in the extreme. And while I may be bitterly disappointed, I don't believe the former constitutional law professor would derail an investigation by his own Justice Department (as opposed to "the Department of Law"). I do feel Obama wants to control the timing of those investigations and would very much prefer to get health care reform and and the energy bill through the Senate before this hits the fan.

But John McCain is a fool.

Professor Kumar said a president’s signature accomplishments often come in his first year in office, a pattern that Mr. Obama and his aides are keenly aware of. In addition, investigations at this time could open Mr. Obama up to accusations from Republicans that he is undercutting national security.

Senator John McCain, Republican of Arizona, said on “Meet the Press” on NBC that despite his dismay at the Central Intelligence Agency’s past interrogation methods, including waterboarding, he opposed a criminal inquiry into torture, which he said would “harm our image throughout the world.”

“I agree with the president of the United States, it’s time to move forward and not go back,” Mr. McCain said.

Our image is already harmed. One way to fix it would be to show the world they we take our political leaders to account when they violate domestic and international law