to be sent with the help of the ACLU.

Here's mine:

President Barack Hussein Obama
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, District of Columbia, USA

Dear Mr. President:

Today I read that you have changed your mind about revealing the photographic evidence of the torture and war crimes committed against detainees by contractors and American GIs in Iraq, Guantanamo, and other secret prisons.

I am so ashamed to hear that you have chosen to bolster the dishonesty and cover up the lawbreaking instituted by the previous administration during this wanton war.

On your first full day in office, you issued an executive order that turned a new page on open government and emphasized the importance of transparency, stating, "A democracy requires accountability, and accountability requires transparency... In the face of doubt, openness prevails."

You began to live up to this commitment by releasing the graphic torture memos that provided the legal justification for the CIA's torture program.

Transparency is the first step towards accountability. Only by acknowledging the crimes of the past and achieving accountability can we move forward and ensure that these atrocities are not repeated. Furthermore, sir, unless the responsible parties are named, indicted and tried -- and if convicted, punished in accord with the law -- what follows further tarnishes the image and name of the United States of America, as well as your personal commitment to change.

I hope you will continue on the path towards transparency and open government. I beg you to reconsider this decision, sir. I believe you are a better and more honorable President than this decision indicates.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Respectfully, sir, I must tell you I believe this change of heart and this refutation of your promise is a mistake. Please do not let it stand uncorrected.

Sincerely,

Sarah
Lubbock, Texas

Your turn.