Update: H/t GG, cheers to someone who admitted error for her remarks about how the "American people are [just] interested in looking forward." Sometimes, especially in the heat of the moment on talking head shows, you will say something you later will see was wrong. We all do it. When you actually admit it, you will in the long run, only be more respected by those that matter.
Per today's Glenn Greenwald post, why should we care now that Obama is in power? First, I like this adjective cited by one of the comments, "hopey-changey." Second, the below is my own comment:
Torture is illegal. It is immoral ... immoral according to what liberals say we stand for. We were lied to. It was done badly. It was controlled by a cabal who kept even top military and civilian people out of the loop. It was done not only for our "safety," but to justify lies and b.s. To further conservative policy.
This is why this all matters. Some argue that new people are in office, so hey, we won't do this any more. But, putting aside the disdain for this Obama love, they do know they won't be in office forever, right? If lies and illegality is deemed unimportant, it will again occur in spades. Particularly since some parts of government simply will not be always controlled by people you trust.
This is not rocket science. I actually am impressed there was so much push back even from strong conservatives, people on the whole "loyal Bushies" ... who were (call them naive or fools or not) horrified at what occurred. Even John Ashcroft drew the line at some point. Why? Because they had some basic respect for the law and institutions and morality.
Doesn't matter? Fine. When truth and the law are ignored in the future, don't come whining. They don't matter. I thought these people were part of the "reality community" or something.
Some think in terms of policy.* It is not done any more, so why worry? We have more important things to do. But, torture should not be a matter of policy. It should be a matter of law. This requires enforcement, including retrospectively, just as we punish people for crimes they did. Most importantly, telling us what "the people want" when they do not want that, in effect telling them not to be so idealistic, to in effect spit on those with the audacity to care for more is garbage.
Guard against the "hopey-changey" without real teeth.
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*As Digby noted:
The argument against torture is slipping away from us. In fact, I'm getting the sinking feeling that it's over. What was once taboo is now publicly acknowledged as completely acceptable by many people. Indeed, disapproval of torture is now being characterized as a strictly partisan issue, like welfare reform or taxes.
So, we focus on Pelosi, not the torture itself. Form/politics over substance.