4/22 Roundup: Tortured History, National Service, Toby Keith is Cool with Obama

Leader: Tortured History

- The NY Times reports this morning on the origins of the harsh interrogation methods used by the CIA.  They were approved at the highest levels of government in 2002, with no dissent from anyone in the Cabinet or White House, and no enquiry into the history of the techniques.  No effort was made to research or read what had been previously written about even the most questionable method-- that known as waterboarding. 

- President Obama indicated  yesterday that he would not stand in the way of any investigation into senior Bush Administration officials deemed responsible for authorizing the techniques.  The CIA memos, he said, reflected us "losing our moral bearings"

- The WaPo reports that Pentagon and CIA officials began preparing to conduct the harsh interrogation techniques, exploring ways to "break" detainees, months before the techniques were approved by Justice Department lawyers, and weeks before the CIA had even captured its first terrorism suspects. This news comes from a Senate Armed Services Committee report.

Politics

- Gavin Newsom is officially running for governor of California, and he announced his candidacy yesterday via Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube.  Simon is quoted in the SF Chronicle piece:

"The way that Gavin Newsom announced will become standard practice in the post-Obama era of politics," said Simon Rosenberg, who heads NDN, which studies Democratic policy issues. "We're seeing a reinventing of politics ... and in a state as wired as California, and a campaign as expensive as this one will be, the candidates who can figure out how to tap into the power and passion of their supporters will have an advantage."

- President Obama signed the Ted Kennedy National Service Act yesterday, a bill meant to encourage public service, particularly among young Americans.  NDN fellow Morley Winograd is cited saying the Act represents a historic shift, representing the civic nature of the Millennial generation.

Economy

- Japan has run a trade deficit over the past year-- the first time this has happened in 30 years.  The shift was caused by declining exports, and rising commodity prices.

- The FT's Martin Wolf writes that the green shoots may yet wither, and that the worst of this economic collapse is not yet behind us. He writes:

The world economy cannot go back to where it was before the crisis, because that was demonstrably unsustainable. It is at the early stages of a long and painful deleveraging and restructuring. Fortunately, policymakers have eliminated the worst possible outcomes. But there is much more yet to be done before fragile shoots become healthy plants.

International

- Nelson Cunningham, Chair of NDN's Latin America Policy Initiative, has an op-ed in today's Chicago Tribune, responding to the President's success at the Summit of the Americas.  It's high time the US "friended" its southern neighbors.

- The war in Sri Lanka is in its final throes, but as many as 100,000 civilians are still endangered and trapped in the last stronghold of the rebels. The humanitarian situation is dire already, and has the potential to become far worse.

New From NDN

- Tracy reminded you that we're hosting three great events soon, and you-- yes, you-- should give some serious thought to coming. We've got a breakfast in New York tomorrow morning with Morley Winograd and Mike Hais, and a press event tomorrow with Rep. John Larson as he introduces legislation to provide computer training through America's community colleges.

- Then, on May 5th, we're hosting an event here, as Simon will be joined by Frank Foer, Mark Schmitt, and Mike Tomasky for a reflection on President Obama's first hundred days. Should be a good discussion.

One More Thing

- Last, Toby Keith talks DC and Presidential politics.  On Obama?  So far, he's cool: