The CIA's interrogation memos were released this week, along with a statement from Barack Obama explaining the rationale behind the release.  Since most of the information in the memos has already been reported and is not a threat to National Security, releasing the memos was the right thing to do.  It's always best to release as much information as possible.  Barack Obama also stated that he will not seek the prosecution of CIA agents who were following orders and relying on legal advice from the Justice Department.  This is good news, but it doesn't go far enough.

     The President is firmly opposed to the methods used by the CIA.  Despite this opposition, there should be no prosecutions of any CIA agents, lawyers, or other officials connected to the CIA's interrogation memos.  I know that many politicians, such as Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, are appalled by the poor treatment of terrorists, but we must remember one thing: The terrorists who were "tortured" were trying to kill us.  The methods used by the CIA may be considered extreme by some, but I would much rather have these techniques used, than risk having Americans killed.  We will never know how many terrorist attacks the CIA prevented, or how many lives they saved, but I'm sure it was substantial.  As the discussion of the interrogation techniques continue, we must remember this fact.