President Obama has made it clear that his focus is set firmly on the future and how to solve the countless problems our country faces. But does looking forward mean that we just let go of the past?

Several lawmakers, including Senator Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., have called for an independent truth commission to be set up to investigate abuses of power by the Bush Administration. The use of incomplete, false data to justify the invasion of Iraq is still a minor transgression that a few Americans are upset with.

Most prudent, however, is a thorough investigation of the Justice Department during George W. Bush’s first term. While some “”love it or leave it”” Americans may be fine with the conclusion that military force “”need not follow the exact procedures that govern law enforcement operations,”” it is a clear example of opportunistically altering the ideals of justice, freedom, and democracy, which cannot be justified ex post facto.

-ÿDaniel Sotelo is a political science junior.