Don't Defend The Past

++President Obama tried to make the unfortunate distinction between the US invading Iraq and Russia invading Crimea in Brussels. The remark has sparked an uproar in the blogosphere and occasioned a piece in Salon.

++The problem dates back to his Move Forward statement at the beginning of his first term. The crimes of the George W. Bush administration would be seen as past events and to avoid a messy partisan confrontation he let sleeping dogs lie. However,those he gave a by remained relentless critics of his policies,most notably Dick Cheney. This past week Don Rumsfeld made an analogy of President Obama to a trained ape, who should have gotten a Force Agreement with Afghanistan since we have them with over 100 nations. Rather than focus on why Afghanistan won't sign a security agreement and the problems created by the last Administration in not getting one with Iraq,everyone emphasized the racist remark.

++With the ghosts of the Neo-Cons rising from the grave with the Ukraine crisis,it's time President Obama fights back. He may say we have many more challenges than to revisit the recent past but the country really can not move on until our past is acknowledged.

++President Obama should de-classify the Torture Report by the Senate Intelligence Committee and let the chips fall where they may. It is likely the report implicates officials presently serving in the CIA,maybe up to John Brennen. It is silly to let the discussion simply center on who spied on whom and whether Senate staff might have gotten the "Panetta Review" by underhanded methods.

++The other item seems to be small but, of course,with the President's trip to Saudi Arabia it looms in importance. It is time to declassify the part of the 9-11 Commission report chaired by Governor Tom Kean on the Saudi role and financing of the 9-11 hijackers. While the Saudis are now angry about the talks with Iran and the lack of follow-up on Syria,it's important to give the American public the reasons why Saudi Arabia are not our natural allies.

++President Obama's plan to end the NSA's bulk data gathering of American phone calls should be welcomed. I suggest Congress will have a hard time accepting this as House reforms actually extend the spying.

++But the subterranean clashes that have gone on throughout President Obama's time of office should be brought to the head. Otherwise,he is out on the point defending the indefensible.