Well, it appears that the question “what next” just isn’t enough to satiate the need of the media, or an anxious public that is looking for answers to very pressing problems. The good news: it appears that the Obama camp may have some ideas on how to proceed…although details are still sketchy.
Here’s a quick roundup of what we are hearing is at the front of the queue:
1) Appointments. This is a must-do first. Anybody will tell you that the best way to be an expert on complex matters (the economy, the war, the law, science) is to surround yourself with EXPERTS ON THOSE COMPLEX MATTERS. Having already filled the seats of his transition team, and Chief of Staff post, we can expect very soon to hear who the other players will be. My recommendation: ignore the hype, speculation, and betting pools…wait for the announcements.
NOTE: What seems just as interesting is the members of Bush’s bunch who will likely retain their positions for at least a year or two. Ben Bernanke will probably continue as head of the Federal Reserve. Admiral Michael Mullen is predicted to stay on as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs. Everyone also seems to think that Robert Gates will stay on as Secretary of Defense, at least for the short term. Also, Robert Mueller III, the current FBI Director whose term is up in 2011, will still be around. Why is this interesting? Because it promotes “continuity” at the same time that a lot of people are calling for a “dramatic break” from the policies of the Bush Administration….and it is hard to have a “break” when you are keeping around a couple of people who were CLEARLY some of Bush’s most politicized appointments, and who have taken a lot of heat for the current economic, military, and justice crises.
2) Stimulus. First thing…some stimulus package (details not available at this time) that will promote job growth. Also, it appears that major loans will be extended to help our sinking auto industry modernize and compete.
3) Rollback those Executive Orders. It’s arguable that President Bush exercised the use of “Executive Orders” and “Signing Statements” more often and with a broader interpretation than any other president in U. S. history. The constitutional legality of such orders has been frequently questioned: only Congress has the ability to make laws…and only the Supreme Court has the ability to interpret them…so how can it be legal for the President when signing a bill to modify its interpretation and intent? His choices, by law, are simple: sign it or veto it…not “add a quick note to make it say what you want it to say.” It has been reported that Obama has had a team of four dozen advisors who have been researching these orders and statements for some time, determining which of them require “undoing.” It appears that certain items concerning climate change, stem cell research, and reproductive rights are at the top of the list…the list of 200 items.
4) Close Gitmo. The prison has long been an embarrassment…a clear violation of America’s core principles: prisoners…held indefinitely…no Habeas Corpus…no trial. We used to claim that regardless of the tactics of our enemies, we would not stoop to making exceptions in the areas of the law and human rights. And then…we did. We tortured, we gathered evidence illegally, and we denied people Due Process. Read the Constitution…it doesn’t say only citizens have these rights, it says “persons“. This principle was was addressed by the Supreme Court in Ex Parte Milligan in 1866: “The guaranty of trial by jury contained in the Constitution was intended for a state of war, as well as a state of peace, and is equally binding upon rulers and people at all times and under all circumstances.” Obama has stated that dozens of the prisoners will be brought to the United States from Guantanamo for trial. Others, where there is insufficient evidence to proceed, will be released. And a third group…well, they’re the hard ones. These prisoners are so tied up in sensitive National Security information, that Obama and his advisors are considering the (somewhat controversial) establishment of a court especially designed for handling these sensitive cases.
Details aside…it appears that “change is a’comin’.” It’s unfortunate that some much time and energy must be spent on items just to undo the actions of the last eight years…just think of what could be done, if we didn’t have to do that first…