June 30, 2004


A former POW on Abu Ghraib

Without going into details, it was the experiences of men like Pete Peterson that fashioned the curriculum for what I learned about POW's while I was in the Navy. I have the utmost respect for him and others who endured what they did at the hands of the Vietnamese while a POW. That he could go back as a diplomat and help to "normalize" relations with the very people who tortured him, mentally and physically speaks volumes. So when he writes of his disgust with the 1600 Crew and their methods, I take it to heart.

Meanwhile, political appointees in the Justice and Defense departments were feverishly working with the White House to build a framework for circumventing legal constraints against prisoner abuse. These high-level advisories were plainly written not to prevent torture, but to authorize it and to help officials accused of torture escape punishment. At the same time, the Pentagon approved interrogation guidelines for Iraq and probably Afghanistan that permitted using dogs on prisoners, binding them in painful "stress positions," and subjecting them to sleep and sensory deprivation - techniques forbidden by the Army's traditional rules.

These decisions, which the administration still defends, undeniably set the stage for the horrible and illegal torture at Abu Ghraib. I am disgusted, angry, outraged and at the same time grossly embarrassed by what my government has sought to justify in the name of freedom! This is not the principle of freedom that I nearly gave my life to defend. Americans not only subjected prisoners to pain, suffering, isolation, hunger and degenerate sexual humiliation; some were apparently theatrically killed.

Read the whole thing, it's worth your time. And pass it on to a Keyboard Commando; it's the closest they'll get to a clue.
posted by Jo Fish on 06.30.04 at 07:57 PM





Comments:

What kind of a lawyer advises a client on how to get as close to the line between right and wrong? The answer used to be a mob lawyer; but that seems to be how Bush Jr.'s Administration has been advised by its lawyers.

 posted by: Shag from Brookline on 07.01.04 at 06:25 AM [permalink]

I would read it but there doesn't seem to be a link, or is it just too early for me to deal with finding it?

 posted by: lawguy on 07.01.04 at 08:12 AM [permalink]

sorry about that I found, right after I told you I couldn't find the link -- oh well.

 posted by: lawguy on 07.01.04 at 08:13 AM [permalink]

Terrific article.

The tipoff to the Bybee "torture is okay so long as your heart is pure" memo to Gonzales comes in the opening few words: "You have asked us to answer the following questions . . ."

The lawyers here in Upper Blogistan know this means that Torturin' Al asked the DOJ a series of questions about torture that were very specific.

Now, Al just didn't wake up one day, stretch, yawn and then decide he'd like some questions about torturing hapless Iraqis answered. No; somebody asked him to get those answers. Smart money says that "somebody" is his boss, Dear Leader.

The SCLM seems bound and determined to let this issue vanish down the Memory Hole. The Blogosphere will hopefully follow the example of heroes such as Pete Peterson and not let that happen.

OT: Saddam on TV today was a stitch; he had that devilish twinkle back in his eye, ID'ed himself as the President of Iraq, said the whole display was theatre, with the real criminal being Bush and wouldn't say anything else until he got properly lawyered up.

This little show trial may not be the boost in the polls that Karl and Dear Leader thought it was going to be.

Wait until Saddam starts talking about how he was tortured . . .

 posted by: fbg46 on 07.01.04 at 11:53 AM [permalink]

Saddam the deft orator...who would have thought it. He can speak in coherent sentences in his native tongue. Iraqis have been waiting to hear such talk ever since the Bush letdown arrived.

Hope Chalabi nails Rummy with this stuff. he knows Saddam is done so he is trying to get back at Bush. Once George is gone it is Iran/Iraq/Arabia run by Shi'ite majorities.

 posted by: Mr.Murder on 07.02.04 at 04:27 AM [permalink]

pure hearted torture... how aryan

Gonzales is a just as much a stain as Bush. name a wing of gitmo after him so he can book reservations there.

What a disgrace to our Constitution.
They are trying to push TORT reform. Abbreviated for Torture reform? Since the main interrogators/filmers were contractors.

 posted by: Mr.Murder on 07.02.04 at 04:31 AM [permalink]


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All the original material © 2002-2003 Jo Fish
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