I've already begun thinking about whether it might make sense for President Obama to issue a blanket amnesty for the detainee abuse, extraordinary rendition, secret prisons, illegal wiretapping, and other crap that has gone on during the Bush administration.

There is already speculation that Bush and his staff will continue to claim "executive privilege" after he leaves office, so it might take years of legal battles to even come close to indicting or convicting anyone near the top of the food chain.  And convicting those who might have believed in good faith that they were following legal orders doesn't seem to be helpful or productive.

Meanwhile, a general amnesty might help move Congressional investigations forward because potential witnesses would have more to fear from perjury or obstruction of justice charges than from admitting what happened.

Sunshine is one of the best disinfectants.  Getting the truth out in the open, exposing the slime of the Bushies, and working to make sure that it doesn't happen again should be more important than sending anyone to jail.

President Gerald Ford pardoned Richard Nixon in order to end the "long national nightmare."  I expect to see similar actions from President Obama.