NATIONAL TRUTH COMMISSION

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/06/opinion/06kristof.html?_r=1&scp=4&sq=kristof&st=nyt&oref=slogin

Nicholas Kristof is correct that United States should have a Truth Commission:
"The first step of accountability isn’t prosecutions. Rather, we need a national Truth Commission to lead a process of soul searching and national cleansing."

It is important we begin the process immediately. Otherwise, we will soon need to add "Reconciliation" to the name of the commission. Where I disagree with Nicolas Kristof is the assumption all our problems began with this Bush administration and will end with the election of a new president. It is my belief the torture and interrogation programs developed from the United States post World War II human experimentation programs. There are American victims who need to be heard. Torture is a bipartisn policy.

The South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission occurred after significant regime change. Is Barack Obama the agent for our change? His FISA vote is not promising. State Senators are not chosen to give the keynote address at a national political convention unless they have powerful establishment credentials. Still, "The Audacity of Hope" was a great speech, one that gives hope that Barack Obama may understand the need for "truth and reconciliation."