Carter: Restoring America's Moral Authority

IMHO Carter is right on the money here.

It's common to hear it said that most of the world doesn't blame America for the last eight years, but, rather, Bush and his supporters. Obama needs to make it clear to them that they're right by working immediately to put the country back on...well, I suppose I'm almost tempted here to say "the path of righteousness." Outlawing torture, especially of prisoners who have not had trials and are not known to be guilty would, of course, be a natural early step.

But "sending a message" to the world--important though that is--is, of course, less important than effecting the real changes that will get us back on track. Seeming good is good; being good is better.