WP: In U.S., Seeking To Limit Damage

[kskiska]

The Bush administration is struggling to develop a damage-control strategy to counter the mounting global backlash against the United States after revelations that U.S. military and intelligence personnel abused Iraqi prisoners, according to U.S. officials.

(snip)

"It's very, very sobering," said a State Department official briefed on the INR review. He requested anonymity because of the sensitivity of the subject. "It's like the song by the Who, 'Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.' That's the widespread perception we have to deal with."

U.S. diplomats around the world have sent troubling cables back to Washington including angry commentary in editorials and government condemnation of the abuse, with warnings that the graphic photographs of naked Iraqi prisoners with their gloating jailers could seriously affect U.S. standing and broader foreign policy, U.S. officials said. Many U.S. embassies have asked for guidance on how to respond, they added.

(snip)

The effort to produce a convincing explanation of what happened at Iraq's notorious Abu Ghraib prison comes as the State Department prepares to release its annual report accounting for how the United States supports human rights and democracy around the world. The report is due out Wednesday.

more…
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A64194-2004May3.html

[DoYouEverWonder]

1. The effort to produce a convincing explanation ?

Gosh, whatever happened to just telling the truth? Oh no, we couldn't have any of that now, can we?

[LittleApple81]

2. The last paragraph in your snippet is the most ironic of the whole

article.
The effort to produce a convincing explanation of what happened at Iraq's notorious Abu Ghraib prison comes as the State Department prepares to release its annual report accounting for how the United States supports human rights and democracy around the world. The report is due out Wednesday.

[nadinbrzezinski]

3. Adendum

While we judge on the world and rate the human rights record of Lybia, we regret to inform the world that we must take a look at that darn log inside our own eye. We will take a year to see what went wrong with this, and ... if they had the spine... General Karminsky we are sorry to say this, but your next stop is the Hague...

[bvar22]

4. bush* needs to get honest.

He needs to provide reassurance to the WORLD by telling the truth. The World will know the TRUTH.

bush* needs to go before the international cameras and say:

"One year ago I stood before you and announced that Saddam's rape rooms and torture chambers no longer existed.
I was wrong. They still exist, but are under NEW MANAGEMENT! The rape rooms and torture chambers are now a privatized subsidiary of the REPUBLICAN PARTY paid for by American Tax Dollars.

Now watch this drive!

[Leezamarie]

11. You don't need a special room for rape any where will do as any

experienced invader could tell you. This is typical Bushspeak.

[0rganism]

5. Gee, maybe Death Squad Coach Negroponte shouldn't be the ambassador?

Let's admit that we're in a hole, as we keep digging in deeper and deeper and deeper...

"Hey, it's really getting dark in here, and I think we hit bedrock! Quick, get me the extra-sharp shovel!"

[fishnfla]

6. Worldwide opinion means nothing to * and many other Americans

He ignored the the global opinion in the lead-up to the war, so why would it matter now?

Likewise, most Americans are too self-absorbed or ignorant to comprehend the world view.

It is the same sort of arrogance that caused the prison torture in the first place.

[teryang]

7. I'm glad they're so f**king stupid that

...they don't know what to do. I won't give them any free advice.


"Barbaric idiocy" starts at the top.

[riverwalker]

8. I still say Wolfowitz knew

I mean there he is, touring the prison with Karpinski July 2003. Abu Ghraib at that time was no longer a detention center, but an INTERROGATION center. He is there the same week Amnesty International comes out with a report about the tortures happening there. The fucker knew, and I hope someone starts talking.

[Norquist Nemesis]

9. Wouldn't that just take the cake?!?!

I can see where that's possible, actually. These guards were being told they were doing a great job and that now the prisoners were giving up information. Anyone whose performed the corporate dog & pony show knows the best stuff always gets promoted and when possible, demonstrated.

[Leezamarie]

10. Worst possible scenario folks is that this was training for future career

in Homeland Security. Those Iraqi people did not have any information to give so what was the point?

[Norquist Nemesis]

13. Right about the info...

One of the things about torture...people will say anything to make it stop.

Welcome to DU! :hi:

[truthisfreedom]

12. FOOL ME ONCE, WON'T GET FOOLED AGAIN. bush is living the curse he put

on himself by being unable to say "shame on me." remember? the "fool me once, shame on you. fool me twice, shame on me" speech he couldn't force himself to say, so he ended it "won't get fooled again." those are lines from the same Who song...

from the end of the song:

There's nothing in the street
Looks any different to me
And the slogans are out-phased, by-the-bye
And the parting on the left
Is now parting on the right
And their beards have all grown longer overnight

I'll tip my hat to the new constitution
Take a bow for the new revolution
Smile and grin at the change all around
Pick up my guitar and play
Just like yesterday
Then I'll get on my knees and pray
We don't get fooled again
Don't get fooled again
No, no!

Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!

Meet the new boss
Same as the old boss