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With his call for a Senate investigation of the President, and the Bush Administration, Carl Bernstein is making as much sense, if not more sense than anyone I've heard to date.

Note that he's not calling for a public lynching, or even one in the press. He's asking that the Congress, specifically the Senate take a serious, non-partisan look at the myriad problems that have come out of this administration, such as the NSA wiretapping, the Katrina debacle, the manipulation of intelligence in the buildup to Iraq, Abu Ghirab, the memos now coming out of Downing St., and others.

This call for investigation is correct. When there are continual allegations of wrongdoing, you must investigate. Right now, everything is in this shadow realm of "he said, she said", half truths and innuendo. Enough. This is not the dogcatcher of Podunk, this is the President of the United States, and as such, must be held to a higher standard than every other person in this country. Clinton was not only investigated, but when caught in his own lies, impeached and tried. Regardless of personal opinion towards President Clinton, when caught in the misuse of his position, he was investigated and tried. That is the system. None are above the law, not even those who make it.

That is the American way. To shine the light of truth on murky areas in our government, without mercy, nor consideration for such minor things like political loyalties. To those who would hide behind the Iraqi conflict, I say that you are cowards, and you betray the ideals that those currently in the military, and those who no longer serve, joined the military to protect.

It is part of our heritage, indeed, it is a requirement of our heritage to ferret out those who would hide behind the images and seals of power and force them to face the truth. If we cannot face the consequences of freedom and democracy ourselves, if we cannot hold our own leaders accountable to the same rules that we hold the lowest of us to, then we have no right to impose democracy on others. We can only lead so long as we are fit to lead. If we shy away from this investigation, using such flimsy as war and privilege to justify it, then we no longer deserve to lead, and have, as our enemies hope, begun our descent into the waste bin of failed nations.

If this Administration has truly done no wrong, let them show that, without hesitation or prevarication. If they have indeed followed the strictures of the Constitution, then let them prove that to Congress and the American People, and get back to their jobs. This is a Republican Congress, they'll not be walking into the lion's den by any means. If they have done wrong, then let them stand and face the consequences of their actions. If this was good enough for Lyndie England, it is most certainly good enough for George W. Bush.

But if this Administration claims privilege and special treatment, and tries to deny the right of the Congress to conduct these investigations, then the choice is clear. If they will not open the door willingly to the law they have sworn to protect and defend, then that law must break down those doors. There is no choice here. It is our way to stop those who would hide behind procedure and privilege. "I was just following orders" did not suffice at Nuremburg, it cannot suffice in Washington.

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