I feel better already.

Thank God, we are the country of ideals again.

The executive order doesn't cover the fact that the CIA routinely hands so called "terrorist suspects" to countries like Egypt, Syria and Turkey which do use torture as an interrogation technique. Once again Obama looks good until you read the fine print.

I don't think so, technically those renditions are illegal. The CIA reports directly to the president. If you were a CIA agent, would you interpret this as an order to continue renditions, absent a direct order to do so, or err on the side of caution?

According to the NY Times, Obama's order was one "directing the Central Intelligence Agency to shut what remains of its network of secret prisons". So it does not look as though there is a loophole.

In addition to closing Gitmo Obama has also ordered the closing of the CIA's 'secret' prison network.

Take that Torture Regime! Claps and applause for the new executive orders and yes, renditions are covered (look at the part about the secret prisons).

Oh, I get it, Obama is just a hapless pawn to the real power brokers that pull all the levers, like Dick Cheney and James Baker and such. Thanks for clearing that up, you are so brilliant. Let's start the impeachment process now. Whatever were we thinking!

.. is the problem. the fundamental social rules of the nation should be beyond the reach of the current office holder. otherwise, with the stroke of the pen, the next monster will authorize torture when he wishes.

there will be another, they are common, for unfettered power magnifies human weakness.

the only principle obama has demonstrated is that america has no principles, just a succession of kings, each saying "what i wish, is the law."

That so far I'm pleasantly surprised.

...I greet you as liberators!

The secret CIA prisons are a different issue. Ever since WWII the US has used "torture by proxy" and allowed so called allied countries who routinely use torture. The fact that this isn't mentioned explicitly means the CIA has tacit approval to do so (unless they get caught again). Like I said read the fine print.

The first two days are very positive and encouraging.

Now, can he send the U.S.S. Hope or some other U.S. Military hospital ship to Gaza? That would send a message to the world. That would make our country respectable again to the world.

Just do it.

It is the right thing to do.

It is the honorable thing to do.

It is the American thing to do.

That's a BIG sigh of relief. The United States will do

the honorable thing. We can hold our heads up high again!

One thing that W (and especially Cheney) established was the principle of the 'unitary executive'. Basically, the President is the BOSS, (and everyone can just suck it)!

I am glad to see Obama is taking that notion and running with it. May he always run in the right (proper) direction.

I also hope that Obama will make Cheney and his ilk regret that they ever promoted this idea.

What about the regular practice of waterboarding as part of the training of U.S. special forces soldiers?

but I'm not really sure what to say. Even with a Democrat in office, I expected the Bush holdovers to put up enough of a fight that we would have a slog to ban torture. I contented myself with knowing that at least advocates for human rights would be on offense instead of defense. Wow.

One of my first thoughts, like another commented, was that what was undone with a pen stroke could be redone. However, I offer some comforting thoughts. First, Obama's order implements the law rather than ignoring or twisting it, and that gives it a stronger legal basis than the orders Obama undid. Second, Congress seems likely to give Obama what he wants , so there could be codification of Obama's order in statute beyond existing statutes.

Third, it helps to say "thanks" and "we have your back" to politicians who try to do the right thing, so we should send Obama some positive messages and tell Congress to make sure the law matches Obama's order.

Is this merely more from the smoke and mirrors department.

All Obama had to say was that the Geneva Conventions are hereby, no longer, and never again shall be considered "quaint" by anyone in his administration, as well as the military, our mercenary forces such as Blackwater, the CIA, or any of the three branches of government, for that matter. He simply had to state his "renewed" respect and unwavering commitment to the principals of the Conventions, and to promise to uphold them no matter what.

Incidentally, there never was "legal justification" for the barbaric policies of Humpty-Cheney and his Monkey Prince. Unless of course one believes that we can remain a civilized society, while judiciously ignoring "international law". (Which we do as a matter of routine.)

Can ya say...clus-ter-bombs? Can ya say...white-phos-phor-ous?

You are both incorrect and probably not worth arguing with since you seem more invested in our collective failure than truth- some people just like seeing things go to shit- go figure. Obama is restoring the law in word and in deed. We already had law by statute and treaty that the Bush adminstration broke. That they could do so unchecked is a problem but a problem of wider and more significant proportions than just the executive branch.

Perhaps you think it is smarter to be skeptical but sometime being contrarian is just a (not so effective) cover for being an asshole. I'm not saying you need to drink the koolaid or anything but it is worth acknowledging that it is unusal for a president to role-back powers to restore the rule of law. This is really important and really powerful. But if you want to naysay just for the purpose of pissing on the parade go for it- we'll always have some of you around - just don't think your special.