The rule of law

Krugman nails it in today's column.

And to protect and defend the Constitution, a president must do more than obey the Constitution himself; he must hold those who violate the Constitution accountable. So Mr. Obama should reconsider his apparent decision to let the previous administration get away with crime. Consequences aside, that’s not a decision he has the right to make.

If we don't hold the Bush administration accountable for its crimes, it's a sure bet that the next time the Republicans take power, it will happen again -- see Iran-Contra.

There's no political will inside the Beltway to pursue it because clearly many of the power brokers on Capitol Hill, on both sides of the fence, would be found to be complicit in enabling the abuses. All the more reason the people need to demand "bi-partisan" accountability.

[More posts daily at The Detroit News.]