On this date (January 13) in 1989, one of the greatest pieces of journalism in history appeared in the Paris newspaper L'Aurore ("The Dawn"). Entitled "J'Accuse!" and written by Emile Zola, the article exposed the unjust conviction of Capt. Alfred Dreyfus on a treason charge, and the subsequent acquittal of the true traitor, Commandant Ferdinand Esterhazy, even though prosecutors knew Esterhazy was guilty.

Zola was arrested on a charge of criminal libel, which allowed him to prove, in court, that his charges were correct. As a result, Dreyfus was freed from the prison colony on Devil's Island.

Justice was never truly achieved. Dreyfus was retried and convicted again, although subsequently pardoned. Zola was convicted of libel and fled to England to avoid imprisonment. He returned later when his conviction was overturned, but he was impoverished by the experience. The army officers who covered up the truth were never charged, nor was Esterhazy ever punished for his treason.

Although President-elect Obama has pledged to order the prison at Guantanamo Bay closed, how many innocent people will never be compensated, even in part, for years of imprisonment? Also, when will the hideously totalitarian "Military Commissions Act" be overturned, either by Congress passing a new law, or by the Supreme Court (probably not THIS Supreme Court, but perhaps a later mix)?

Finally, will those who ordered, conducted, and/or covered up the truth regarding the torture at Gitmo, Abu Ghraib, and other secret CIA prisons, those who ordered and carried out "extraordinary renditions," those who conspired to grant no-bid contracts to Halliburton, Blackwater, and other traitors*, and most importantly, those at the top who condoned or tried to justify these actions, ever face judgment in any court?

Probably not. On the other hand, perhaps a modern-day Emile Zola will write the polemic that will inflame the masses, and something approaching justice will be served. But I wouldn't hold my breath.

* Halliburton subsidiary KBR deliberately refused to give enough water to our troops in the field to keep them alive, and many of our troops died of heatstroke -- truly "giving aid and comfort to the enemy," which is the constitutional definition of treason.