To Prosecute, or Not to Prosecute

Yes indeed prosecution could hinder current and future administrations. That is precisely why it should be done. Politicly however the gutless folks who call themselves "leaders" are afraid they will look bad. Suggestion: Allow the War Crimes Tribunal at the Hague run the investigation just as a grand jury would. If the evidence is great enough they could be tried in US courts without political pressure. The bottom line is torture is illegal. It is against the law. Expert legal opinion is not an excuse and neither is majority opinion. Hitler was voted into office by a majority and following WWII the excuse of "I was following orders" held no weight. Several Japanese were executed for waterboarding following WWII. When the US made it illegal I do not recall reading about exceptions to the law. Or perhaps we are not really a "nation of laws" as we claim, but rather anarchists at the highest levels?

I agree with the comment that if a trial is pursued, it would severely hinder current and future administrations. These decisions were made in the past and in the past is where they should remain. Those days are behind us and the best thing we can do right now is to not look back and move forward.