His torture statement means that we will not torture during his term. In reality it does nothing for American's reputation in the long term.

His statement that he will prosecute the criminals, is unfortunately, a victim of politics. He is afraid to take on the intelligence community. I wonder if he is afraid they will not send him full accurate intelligence. That thought is really scary.

I now believe that because the news cycle is so short and there are so many problems the President thinks he can focus on other problems that are less politically dangerous, and when he succeeds there, remain popular without addressing torture and domestic spying.

If we as a country investigate and prosecute those that torture, the reputation of America changes. It goes from America tortures people when its scared, to America tortured prisoners when a group of zealots were in charge of the country, but we don't and won't tolerate it. We know its a crime.

I'm afraid Obama is going to be seduced by glory and adulation. I thought he was a “common man's President” where America comes first. One who was not only going to fix the problems in our country, but one who would not look to his reputation internationally, not get swayed by the seductive allure of being an “International Leader.” I am beginning to think I was wrong.

He is going to keep spying illegally on US citizens. He is not going to punish law breakers when it is politically hard. He is going to turn into a charismatic politician, not a true leader.

I wonder if President Lincoln ever thought Civil War is a huge political gamble? I wonder if he thought, “I can just sort of focus on other problems and let the sticky question of slavery go? It would be a safer course.” Apparently if he did think that he must have realized that he still had to do the right thing regardless of the political and personal consequences.

I guess that is why we consider him our greatest President.

?

His torture statement means that we will not torture during his term. In reality it does nothing for American's reputation in the long term.

His statement that he will prosecute the criminals, is unfortunately, a victim of politics. He is afraid to take on the intelligence community. I wonder if he is afraid they will not send him full accurate intelligence. That thought is really scary.

I now believe that because the news cycle is so short and there are so many problems the President thinks he can focus on other problems that are less politically dangerous, and when he succeeds there, remain popular without addressing torture and domestic spying.

If we as a country investigate and prosecute those that torture, the reputation of America changes. It goes from America tortures people when its scared, to America tortured prisoners when a group of zealots were in charge of the country, but we don't and won't tolerate it. We know its a crime.

I'm afraid Obama is going to be seduced by glory and adulation. I thought he was a “common man's President” where America comes first. One who was not only going to fix the problems in our country, but one who would not look to his reputation internationally, not get swayed by the seductive allure of being an “International Leader.” I am beginning to think I was wrong.

He is going to keep spying illegally on US citizens. He is not going to punish law breakers when it is politically hard. He is going to turn into a charismatic politician, not a true leader.

I wonder if President Lincoln ever thought Civil War is a huge political gamble? I wonder if he thought, “I can just sort of focus on other problems and let the sticky question of slavery go? It would be a safer course.” Apparently if he did think that he must have realized that he still had to do the right thing regardless of the political and personal consequences.

I guess that is why we consider him our greatest President.

?