[Vision2020] Roger Falen on Abu Ghraib

[nickgier at adelphia.net]

Hi Roger:

The focus of the original thread "Fair and Even" was lost long ago, so I'm changing the subject line.

You have totally missed the point of my response about Abu Ghraib.  You said it was all about wayward soldiers having fun with prisoners, when all the facts point to a comprehensive set of torture techniques put in place by the highest authorities.

On August 17, 2003 an e-mail from the head of military intelligence at Abu Ghraib declared that the "gloves were off" and that the detainees were to be "broken." Two weeks later Major General Geoffrey Miller flew from Gauntanamo to Iraq on orders to use the harsh techniques originally used at Gitmo at Abu Ghraib.

Gen. Miller was especially keen on capitalizing on the Arabs' fear of dogs, but the only one punished was the soldier who actually unleashed the dogs at Abu Ghraib. Contrary to your claims, psychological as well as physical torture is banned by the Geneva Conventions. In August of 2006, instead of being held accountable for his actions, Gen. Miller was awarded Distinguished Service Medal in the Pentagon’s Hall of Heroes.

Roger, do you really want to disagree with former Navy General Counsel Alberto J. Mora?
 
"If cruelty is no longer declared unlawful, but instead is applied as a matter of policy, it alters the fundamental relationship of man to government. . . . The Constitution recognizes that man has an inherent right, not bestowed by the state or laws, to personal dignity, including the right to be free of cruelty. It applies to all human beings, not just in America--even those designated as 'unlawful enemy combatants.'"
 
As usual, Roger, you are not coming cleaning on these issues.

Nick

Nick:
            
I doubt that any of these prisoners had any information of note. 

Roger 

Why then were they tortured?