Here we go...

"The report said prisoner interrogation policies in Iraq were inadequate and deficient, and changes made by Rumsfeld between Dec. 2002 and April 2003 in what interrogation techniques were permitted contributed to uncertainties in the field as to what actions were allowed and what were forbidden."

Above is a direct quote from a Reuters article on the investigation into the abuse of Iraqi prisoners by American soldiers at Abu Ghraib, in a facility being used as a detention center. The article goes on to say that not only did Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld fail to exercise proper insight over "confusing detention policies," but also that the "interrogation techniques" employed at Abu Ghraib were, essentially, coercive techniques that Rumsfeld allowed for in Guantanamo which had migrated to the Middle-East, "where they were neither limited or safeguarded."

I don't know if you have seen the "unregulated" photos that prompted the investigation, but here is an idea: American soldiers, male and female, wearing plastic gloves and shit-eating grins pose with peace signs and thumbs-ups behind a pile of Iraqi detainees wearing nothing but masks or full hoods. There are numerous photos of 3 or more detainees at a time in homo-erotic positions, sitting on each other's faces, laps, shoulders, etc. When American soldiers are present in the photos, they literally look like they are laughing their asses off.

First of all, it is ridiculous to me that the humiliation and abuse of Iraqi soldiers is being pawned off as some sort of interrogation process. You cannot tell me that the behavior demonstrated by certain American soldiers in those photos was in any way contributing to American military intelligence. Give me a fucking break. Also, I highly doubt whether the captors in these cases were mixed up about "confusing detention policies." Which policy is it exactly that never quite says decisively whether or not it's correct military conduct to strip prisoners of war naked and make them stimulate gay sex? That one is so hard to figure out. I mean, maybe it's necessary, right? Come the fuck on.

The panel investigating the allegations (yeah sure, allegations), headed by former Defense Secretary James Schlesinger, has found that abuses against war prisoners are not limited to Abu Ghraib; there are approximately 300 cases being investigated between Guantanamo, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Clearly, this wasn't just some slip-up by the officers at Abu Ghraib. Thank goodness there was a White House spokesman around to tell us what was really going on; Scott McClellan told reporters at Bush's ranch in Texas (does that guy ever work?) that, "it's important that those who are responsible for the appalling acts at Abu Ghraib are held accountable. It's also important to take a broad look and make sure that there are no systemic problems." You fucking ass-wipe. I'm pretty sure he said that last sentence while coughing into his hand. I encourage you to watch the news and see how the lying liars that make up our current administration are going to completely dance around this matter. It's going to be quite a show.

As for Rumsfeld, of course he won't be asked to resign, he probably won't even be asked to perform (despite ALLOWING abusive behavior at Guantanamo). He has heard what the investigating panel has to say and his response? Oh, it's a good one, he states, "the panel has provided important information and recommendations that will be of assistance in our ongoing efforts to improve detention operations." Well, golly, that's swell, Don. Did they mention anything about it looking really fucking bad and amoral for American fucking soldiers to abuse and humiliate war prisoners AND to capture it all on film for no fucking reason?!?! Was that part of the "important information?" Is it important for soldiers to be trained at all? Was that in the memo?

The report released by Schlesinger's panel states that, "The abuses were not just the failure of some individuals to follow known standards, and they are more than the failure of a few leaders to enforce proper discipline. There is both institutional and personal responsibility at higher levels."

Look, I won't pretend to know what it's like to be employed in a war. I cannot even begin to imagine the huge burden of stress that must accompany even having the smallest connection to fighting a war. Our administration however, our fucking Commander in Chief, and those people that hold his strings, cannot allow our soldiers to go into a war with the notion that abuse or humiliation as a war tactic is tolerable at any level. When soldiers assume that abuse of individuals is acceptable, the next step becomes torture, rape, ethnic cleansing, and genocide as a means to win a war. Those people over there are young, and scared, and probably mad as hell at most Iraqis they encounter, but it is our government who should be held accountable for those soldiers knowing what is right and wrong when it comes to war. And frankly, I don't trust this administration to maintain a moral responsibility in this war, I don't believe they care. They'd rather let a bunch of inexperienced, red-necks go over there and act at will and fucking call it patriotism. Wake me when it's over.



-all info gathered from Reuters and NY Times articles.