Soldiers face trials while Gonzales gets promoted

[Robbien]

Wednesday, January 12, 2005

By LAWRENCE AARON

WHAT A TRAVESTY it is that Alberto Gonzales is up for confirmation to be the next U.S. attorney general just as officers accused of torture in Abu Ghraib are on trial in a military court and facing discharge. As one of the architects of the administration's policy that expressed approval of torturing prisoners for information, Gonzales shouldn't get a free pass for a Cabinet position while low-level soldiers poorly trained for prison guard duty walk the plank.

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But if the physical torture and sexual humiliation were strategies approved at high levels of the administration as ways to get information out of captives, then it's unfair to blame the jailers who were adhering to that policy.

Under way this week is a trial for Spec. Charles Graner Jr., 36, the soldier identified as the ringleader encouraging others to abuse prisoners. The actions came to light last spring in photos showing naked Iraqis in a human pyramid, simulating sex acts. What made matters worse is that Graner's crew was having a grand yuk-fest at the expense of these captives. This was a shocking and miserable example of how the U.S. proposed to bring democracy and stability to the Iraqis.

Graner's hearing on prisoner abuse charges is under way at Fort Hood, Texas. Hearings for four more soldiers, including Sgt. Javal Davis of Roselle, N.J., will follow. Four soldiers charged in the Abu Ghraib incident have already accepted plea bargains, and are testifying against Graner and other defendants. Graner is the first to stand trial.

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[7th_Sephiroth]

1. "but i was only following orders"

Nazi soldiers & Abu Ghraib guards