Obama Reacts To Torture Report: ‘No Nation Is Perfect’

President Obama issued a lengthy statement in response to the release of the Senate Intelligence Committee report today.

While the president was careful to call members of the intelligence community “patriots,” he pointed out that “some of the actions that were taken were contrary to our values.”

Obama added that while he understands that his primary job as Commander in Chief is to keep people safe, he pointed out that America’s strength lies within its “founding ideals.”

“No nation is perfect,” he said. “But one of the strengths that makes America exceptional is our willingness to openly confront our past, face our imperfections, make changes and do better.”

Obama encouraged his fellow lawmakers to avoid refighting “old arguments” and to look to the future.

“I hope that today’s report can help us leave these techniques where they belong–in the past,” he said. “Today is also a reminder that upholding the values we profess doesn’t make us weaker, it makes us stronger and that the United States of America will remain the greatest force for freedom and human dignity that the world has ever known.”