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Thursday, November 13, 2008 12:00 AM

Obama's plans for probing Bush torture

President Bush could pardon officials involved in brutal interrogations -- but he may also face a sweeping investigation under the new president.

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  • Thursday, November 13, 2008 03:54 AM

    A Truth Commission

    It grieves me greatly to draw this analogy, but I would suggest a Truth Commission along the lines of what was done in South Africa as the way to restore America's moral bearings. By and large, that approach worked by not prosecuting those guilty of the torture and oppressive acts of the apartheid regime but allowing the guilty to have to openly admit to their crimes. This did, in fact, bring some sort of justice and closure to the victims and allowed South Africa to move forward as a functioning society. This, in addition to a clear declaration by the Obama administration on the U.S. not continuing to torture and the restoration of a proper judicial process for the accused, would go a long way to establishing justice in our country and avoid most of the partisan acrimony that would attend criminal prosecutions and not be impeded by Bush's pardons as no criminal charges would be contemplated. The only thing the guilty would have to deal with is the public humiliation of having participated and abetted these shameful policies and that is not pardonable. The world would see that the U.S.A. does not approve the actions of the rogue Bush administration.

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