Releasing memos just the first step

There is a large body of public evidence, including the recently released "torture memos" written by government lawyers, to suggest that crimes might have been committed with the knowledge and authorization of high-level Bush officials.

The release of these memos and other Bush-era torture evidence is crucial to the historical record. The American people have a right to know what was done in their name.

By releasing the torture memos, the Obama administration is beginning to live up to its promise of transparency. But transparency is only one step toward accountability. Now that the memos have been made public, high-ranking officials in the Bush administration must be held accountable for authorizing torture.

It is time to appoint an independent prosecutor to conduct a thorough top-to-bottom investigation into who knew about, authorized and carried out the Bush administration's torture policies. Any criminal investigation of torture crimes must examine decisions made and carried out at the very highest levels of government. Congress should also appoint a bipartisan select committee with subpoena power to review the Bush administration abuses.

As President Obama and Attorney General Holder have said, no one is above the law.

It is time for the attorney general to make good on that promise and appoint an independent prosecutor to conduct a thorough criminal investigation of torture crimes.

Roger Hannah

Round Lake Beach