re: "How about a “You can’t handle the truth!” Commission?"

Karl at Patterico's Pontifications ("Harangues that Just Make Sense") evaluates the likelihood.

Money quote(s):

"Pres. Obama does not want a “truth commission” looking into the Bush Administration’s harsh interrogation of high-value enemy combatants. People may think his flip-flop on having the Justice Dept. look into the matter is a cave to hysterical, Sullivan-esque self-soilers, but that is only half-accurate. The point of fobbing this issue off on Holder & Co. is precisely to try to remove everyone else from the equation, including the media. This was a common tactic of the Clinton Administration: “Sorry, as you know, this matter is under investigation, so I am not at liberty to comment.”"

&

"(C)riminal charges against the lawyers who drafted the interrogation memos is exceedingly unlikely. The case for pursuing war crimes charges is only marginally better. The waterboarding that went on here is not the “water cure” administered by US soldiers in the Philippines, or the Asano war crimes case, both of which involved pouring water directly into the mouths and noses of subjects, which is considerably more harsh and dangerous.

The Democrats know as much as anyone that this issue already polls badly with likely voters. Trying to pretend that the Bush Administration was like the Third Reich simply would not play with anyone less unhinged than the Andrew Sullivans of the world (who would likely end up disappointed with the outcome). If Congressional Democrats pursue this, it will most likely be with the expectation that the GOP would rise to prevent any sort of bipartisan effort, allowing the Dems to retreat, while blaming the GOP."

JG - Prospects for a truth commission

From my archive of press clippings:

Jamaica Gleaner

Prospects for a truth commission

published: Sunday July 20, 2008

Dr Jermaine McCalpin, Contributor

Nicole Walters (right), a resident of Westmoreland whose relative was shot and killed by the police in 2007, wipes away tears while addressing members of the media at Jamaicans for Justice press briefing in Kingston on Tuesday, March 11, 2008. The calls by some Jamaicans for reconciliation must address concerns about justice. - File

The clarion calls for a Jamaican truth commission must not go unheeded for much longer. I fully support a truth commission in Jamaica but with significant caveats. When we talk of a truth commission we need to be clear what it is and what are its expected consequences.

Read the whole article here.

Snippet(s):

"Simply (at least definition-wise), a truth commission is an official but non-judicial body that is established often by an act of government to probe a pattern of violence, atrocities and other happenings in a country within a specific time frame with an end to suggest ways to deal with the past that places emphasis on non-repetition, justice and historical accuracy.

A Jamaican truth commission would join the list of over 33 truth commissions that have been established around the world since 1974 (the most recent being in Timor-L'este that conducted its work from 2002-present)."