Jonathan Turley, writing in an op-ed in the LA Times, says that President Obama has advanced policies that have proved a “disaster for civil liberties.”
Writes Turley, “Obama reportedly promised Bush officials in private that no one would be investigated or prosecuted for torture. … Obama failed to close Guantanamo Bay as promised. He continued warrantless surveillance and military tribunals that denied defendants basic rights. He asserted the right to kill U.S. citizens he views as terrorists. His administration has fought to block dozens of public-interest lawsuits challenging privacy violations and presidential abuses.”
Turley decries the “utter absence of a push for an alternative Democratic candidate or organized opposition to Obama’s policies on civil liberties in Congress during his term.”
Turley says, “It looks more like a cult of personality. Obama’s policies have become secondary to his persona,” and warns, “Obama may have flown by the fail-safe line, especially when it comes to waterboarding. For many civil libertarians, it will be virtually impossible to vote for someone who has flagrantly ignored the Convention Against Torture or its underlying Nuremberg Principles.”
Clearly Dems need a viable candidate for 2012. Looks like Dennis Kucinich will be available.
Have fun storming the castle!
Hey — Kucinich is underappreciated. I’d like to see Kucinich come to Dayton and get the Democratic nomination to run in the new 10th District, against either Turner or Austria. Now that would be a race that could generate some interest and I think, even in this Republican leaning district, Kucinich would have a good chance. People are waiting to hear a strong progressive message and Kucinich can be very effective. However, I guess, instead, he will go against Marcy Kaptur in the Democratic primary in the new district the Republicans engineered for that purpose.
I’d like to see Kucinich come to Dayton and get the Democratic nomination …
Like I said, have fun storming the castle!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-3VxOqHI-4
I love that clip — but before the storming begins — Wake up America. Wake up America. Wake up America.
…just asking, but wouldn’t the fact that Kucinich would classify as a carpetbagger have any import? After all, we got local Democrats who deserve an electoral butt-whuppin…
No — in some states, Florida for one, a candidate doesn’t even need to live in the congressional district that he or she represents. I guess the candidate at least has to live in the same state. I think local Democrats would be thrilled if Kucinich would move into this district and run against our local Republican rubber stamp. Very unlikely he would consider doing so.
…our troops shouldn’t be torturing these detainees; this is a job for volunteers. Just give the Old Bandito a blowtorch, a pair of channel-locks and a Sear Diehard plus a C-130 ride to Gitmo and the problem will take care of itself…
Hey! Torture and assassination are fun!