Should We Try to Try the Bush Administration for Its Crimes?

I have gone back and forth on whether it makes sense to try the Bush Administration, Bush, Cheney, or others, for their crimes while in office. My thoughts center on how such an attempt would change the future despite the fact that I would love to see them pay for their many crimes... but revenge is not a particularly good reason to do this.

In a recent issue of The New Republic, Michael Walzer considers other political trials in a good article examining the merits of a Bush trial. Highly recommended for those who would argue for a trial.

My conclusion is ultimately that such a trial would create more problems than it would solve. However, I think a Truth Commission would be a good approach. If anyone truly believed we were a society governed by the "rule of law," then a trial would make sense. But we aren't - despite the popular talking points of both parties who only care about the "rule of law" when it disadvantages their opponents.