It is unlikely that you will ever read this or that the comments of a small group of citizens will have any effect on your assessments of political realities when producing policy.
First, thank you for at least beginning to address torture, kidnapping, black site prisons, extra jurisdictional enclaves, warrant-less wiretapping, indefinite imprisonment etc. Although, your administration has not handled all of these things with the skill, grace, acumen, or adherence for the rule of law, (which this nation largely followed for the more than 200 years previous to #43) you do deserve acknowledgement for your willingness to revert to the proper form of American conduct set in our finest traditions.
This is your responsibility really, but we have, sadly, learned not to take these things for granted anymore. The platform of your campaign was predicated on your contrasting ability with #43, to use solid judgement to ethically and prudently lead this country through it's challenges and into renewed prosperity. Therefore, the first steps of your administration look very promising.
That said, however, you have made and continue to make a grave, terrible, and indelible mistake that will forever change this country. You are politicizing the DOJ, advocating the tinkering with the rule of law, and are gravely miscalculating the long term negative impact of your attempts to learn what occurred in the past, but supposedly, not prosecute so that we can move forward for the sake of the country.
The most powerful person in the world or not, you sir, have no right to participate in, or attempt to influence the framework, execution, or interpretation of the law as it relates to torture or ethical treatment of prisoners or the general rights/conventions of our constitution.
Torture has already been acknowledged to have been authorized and conducted by Americans, and in America's name. That is illegal both domestically and internationally. The enforcement of the law must be observed. Your participation in that process, extraneous to necessity, is a mistake, is unnecessary, and obstructionist. Through the well meaning act of attempted reconciliation, the savvy political calculation of accruing favors, the hope to avoid controversy, drama and distraction, you sir, have ignored the truth of the responsibility your office.
We citizens acknowledge that your task is akin to Sisyphus: that you inherited a quagmire, a morass, a sick patient and the political vultures are always trying to create weakness in you and sabotage your agenda. In your shoes, we are sure that you are trying to balance the "false choice": which is to fixate on big picture triage so much that swatting away these unpleasantries seems expedient. We are sure it's seems easy. Your supporters generally trust you and typically we commend you for your efforts, so much so that all things considered, you enjoy broad popular support during brutally challenging times.
But think on this: although, you were elected for your values, and in some part on the measure of your character and judgement, America is likely to elect another of #43's ilk. That is not to say conservatives, because we need a strong second party, and America would be served by balance. It is to say, a person of poor judgment, or insidious intentions disguised as a call for security or patriotism or whatever. Obstructing justice, continuing to advocate appeasement to illegality, and playing the game of political calculation will serve only to further the damage already done, burn through your credibility, and safe guard - not our liberties- but the potential for abuse when America makes it's next populist, electoral mistake.
Continue on, along the generally fine fashion you have already in leading our country, but avoid perpetuating this mistake. Let the DOJ do it's job fully, get out of the way of the necessity of healing the recent history of our disregard for the rule of law. Your legacy, our nation's promise, and the renewal of our children's future depends on it.
Respectfully,
Edwin Gabriel
Founder
Society Proforma
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