This president is doing what those who put him in office elected him to do - tread carefully. he released the memo's but not the photo's. He gave the left the memo's that implicate the policy makers, but not the photos that endanger the footsoldiers. This country has lost it's stomach for ideological warfare, and most sane, thinking people know that this administration has moved exceptionally well in stopping this national shame without over-politicizing it. There are millions of Americans who believe the former administrations justifications, just as there are millions who are outraged. But far more, by at least double on both sides, believe that this is an internal affair that should be dealt with quietly, and not politicized. Public trials and photos will turn this into a political circus - and to the dismay of everyone, the sheer political gamesmanship involved will ENSURE that no resolution is ever reached. Certainly no justice will come for the victims. By trying to deal with this in a calm and quiet matter, the President might actually acomplish justice. This was an abberation, and certainly steps should be taken to make sure this does not happen again - but a political payback circus will accomplish nothing except sure failure for the many other initiatives the President is trying to accomplish - initiatives that will benefit the poor and needy in this country long after this episode is forgotten. AND THOSE WHO THINK THES ISSUES ARE NOT RELATED REALLY DON'T UNDERSTAND WASHINGTON - whether we like it or not, politics IS a game, and if anyone thinks this administration thinks it can taint an entire party as the party of torture and still get healthcare reform, then they desrve the "naieve" moniker that conservatives like to sling about

yep.

If you've been around as long as I have, you realize that what a person says when they campaigned for the Presidency is going to be much different from what they do when they assume the office. After you've been appraised of what the real facts are, you have to make decisions that are contrary to what you believed the facts to be while running for the office. There isn't any doubt in my mind that Obama is thoughtful and trying to do the right thing for the country. It's a learning process. But I don't believe that he's jaded in making his decisions based upon what he believes will get him re-elected. If I ever feel that's the case, he will not get my vote in 2012.