Biden was never my choice for President, and Harris was a total dark horse, from my perspective. But three things (isn’t it always “three”?)
1: Biden is a lot more “law and order” than I like, but it’s who he is.
2: Priorities. I’m sorry that the courts have been used unfairly… but it WAS the courts, which have presumably been fair until proven otherwise. Biden has things on his plate that matter more urgently to all of us except the ones close to the situation.
3: Delegation. The job is far larger than one person can possibly handle at any level below “executive”. You don’t know what’s happening unless someone tells the press (or some equivalent). I would be surprised, but not astounded if he has people working — quietly — on each of these issues.
Snowden, in exile not for what he did, but how he did it.
Assange. In a UK prison. Not a US. And not American.
What was done to Donziger is wrong. But it was done by the judicial branch, not the executive. We have separation of powers. Should Biden pardon Donziger? I would. But I don’t know all the complexities involved.
Whatever evils Biden inherited from previous Administrations became his at 12 noon on 20 January 2021. Guantanamo, drones, torture, political prisoners, border policy—anything that can be changed by executive order is, justly, something he is choosing to actively continue. Also justly, anyone who makes excuses for his willful inaction is a complicit partner in evil.
Things that require court rulings and legislation are different. If a president is making efforts to work changes, I give him credit.
But Biden could do a LOT with executive orders. He’s choosing not to.
Gitmo is a festering sore in the middle of America’s forehead. Always was, and always will be. I get why Mr. Biden hasn’t moved on it: even if the prisoners there truly did what they were accused of, by now they would have served their sentences if they only had access to a trial (a concept denied by the specious made-up definition of “enemy combatant”).
The right answer is to close it and send the remainders home, but this will induce howls from the Rs because “Biden is liberating terrorists” and will tie that to the way the alleged war ended. Bad optics in a time of bad approval ratings. I would do what I would think is the right thing, but I am not running for office or holding the flag for my party, so I understand the hesitancy.
If we had only put them on trial and adjudicated their charges early on, none of this would have been necessary. Just like bin Laden: find him, try him, fry him, walk away.
But, no. I knew we were in trouble in October of 2002, when Dave Letterman started his interview with John McCain, asking, “How goes the war?”, and the answer was that our new problem was Iraq. Great idea: take an unwinnable war, and expand it.
Anyone who thinks Ed Snowden is anything but a traitor is a fool. And as for Assange’s collusion with the 2016 Trump campaign, his only mitigating factor is that it seems as if he is being singled out and the blame should be cast much wider.
According to “The American Prospect” there are 277 things Biden can do. https://prospect.org/day-one-agenda/277-policies-biden-need-not-ask-permission/
I thought Assange was in prison because he was accused of rape and chose not to face the charges in Sweden, then wore out his welcome at the Ecuadorian Embassy in the UK?
I find it, ummm, interesting that Rall and Ramirez are right next to each other in the Gocomics listing. Seems appropriate somehow. But I miss Toles, Wasserman and Wilkerson…
Concretionist over 2 years ago
Biden was never my choice for President, and Harris was a total dark horse, from my perspective. But three things (isn’t it always “three”?)
1: Biden is a lot more “law and order” than I like, but it’s who he is.
2: Priorities. I’m sorry that the courts have been used unfairly… but it WAS the courts, which have presumably been fair until proven otherwise. Biden has things on his plate that matter more urgently to all of us except the ones close to the situation.
3: Delegation. The job is far larger than one person can possibly handle at any level below “executive”. You don’t know what’s happening unless someone tells the press (or some equivalent). I would be surprised, but not astounded if he has people working — quietly — on each of these issues.
braindead Premium Member over 2 years ago
Me, I’d like Biden to have a little talk with Garland about releasing the Mueller Report.
Ya know, all of it.
.
Not to mention prosecuting Trump for the crime Michael Cohen went to prison for.
Plumb.Bob Premium Member over 2 years ago
It’s been 9 months now, why isn’t everything perfect!!?!!?!?
wildthing over 2 years ago
No president leaves office without blood on his hands, I’m so tired of lesser evilism.
Durak Premium Member over 2 years ago
Snowden, in exile not for what he did, but how he did it.
Assange. In a UK prison. Not a US. And not American.
What was done to Donziger is wrong. But it was done by the judicial branch, not the executive. We have separation of powers. Should Biden pardon Donziger? I would. But I don’t know all the complexities involved.
Ted Rall creator over 2 years ago
Whatever evils Biden inherited from previous Administrations became his at 12 noon on 20 January 2021. Guantanamo, drones, torture, political prisoners, border policy—anything that can be changed by executive order is, justly, something he is choosing to actively continue. Also justly, anyone who makes excuses for his willful inaction is a complicit partner in evil.
Things that require court rulings and legislation are different. If a president is making efforts to work changes, I give him credit.
But Biden could do a LOT with executive orders. He’s choosing not to.
rossevrymn over 2 years ago
Solid points.
William Bednar Premium Member over 2 years ago
Wow. Ted Rall’s really riding his “GOP” hobby horse today! Ted could win the prestigious “most bs packed into one cartoon” award..
preacherman over 2 years ago
Maybe Biden respects the rule of law.
I Play One On TV over 2 years ago
Gitmo is a festering sore in the middle of America’s forehead. Always was, and always will be. I get why Mr. Biden hasn’t moved on it: even if the prisoners there truly did what they were accused of, by now they would have served their sentences if they only had access to a trial (a concept denied by the specious made-up definition of “enemy combatant”).
The right answer is to close it and send the remainders home, but this will induce howls from the Rs because “Biden is liberating terrorists” and will tie that to the way the alleged war ended. Bad optics in a time of bad approval ratings. I would do what I would think is the right thing, but I am not running for office or holding the flag for my party, so I understand the hesitancy.
If we had only put them on trial and adjudicated their charges early on, none of this would have been necessary. Just like bin Laden: find him, try him, fry him, walk away.
But, no. I knew we were in trouble in October of 2002, when Dave Letterman started his interview with John McCain, asking, “How goes the war?”, and the answer was that our new problem was Iraq. Great idea: take an unwinnable war, and expand it.
Flatworm over 2 years ago
Anyone who thinks Ed Snowden is anything but a traitor is a fool. And as for Assange’s collusion with the 2016 Trump campaign, his only mitigating factor is that it seems as if he is being singled out and the blame should be cast much wider.
Ammo is on a break Premium Member over 2 years ago
Kyle Rittenhouse innocent of all charges ! Good Day for America.
GreggW Premium Member over 2 years ago
According to “The American Prospect” there are 277 things Biden can do. https://prospect.org/day-one-agenda/277-policies-biden-need-not-ask-permission/
moondog42 Premium Member over 2 years ago
I thought Assange was in prison because he was accused of rape and chose not to face the charges in Sweden, then wore out his welcome at the Ecuadorian Embassy in the UK?
martens over 2 years ago
I find it, ummm, interesting that Rall and Ramirez are right next to each other in the Gocomics listing. Seems appropriate somehow. But I miss Toles, Wasserman and Wilkerson…
TrulyTexan over 2 years ago
Not to mention all the people in prison for crimes they DIDN"T commit.
359mxn over 2 years ago
Not sure how Chevron got a guy convicted of, what? the other two did break the law.