ON EDIT: Also would have helped the news folks / increased employment opportunities there (who would have run with the story 24/7), increased the chatter/public discussion on AMERICAN VALUES and the price of the abuse of power for future generations, and allowed Obama to actually get things done whilst the Republicans were busy paying attention to the "frontal attack on their Party" while the elected (Obama) administration accomplished the rest of their stated campaign goals.

This was an opportunity wasted, and I for one, believe at the very least a *MORAL* corruption / backroom deal is the reason why.

If Obama had done what Bush and Cheney did, I'd be all for prosecuting him for War Crimes, etc. as well. This isn't a "party" issue; its about what is acceptable behavior from those in TEMPORARY leadership roles in our government.

Our taxes are not their private bank accounts. Our armed forces are not a private mercenary service. Our federal watchdogs on health / safety / food / labor / education / etc. aren't supposed to be toothless rubber stamping agencies.

And if doing the right thing would have provided political cover for "the rest of the American agenda" (which is what competent politicians should have managed), then even better.

End Lecture.