Iraq and prisons

Three stories about the problems with Iraqi prisoners in US custody.

The first is from the Washington Times. Many in Congress are upset that the Pentagon didn't inform them of problems with Iraqi prisoners in US custody. They would be right to be upset and demand someone's head if the there had been a cover-up and the Pentagon tired to hide the information.

One problem. On January 12, 2004 Central Command issued a PRESS RELEASE saying it was investigating prisoner abuse in Iraq. On March 20, 2004 the Pentagon issued a PRESS RELEASE saying

"that criminal charges would be brought against six soldiers for "dereliction of duty, cruelty and maltreatment, assault and indecent acts with another." "

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Now, I will admit that a press release is not the same as Congressional testimony, but would you not think that SOMEONE on Capital Hill would be reading the press statements the Defense Department issues and then ask a few questions like "What the heck is going on in Iraq with prisoner abuse?". But the good folks on the Hill seemed to not be bothered until the pictures were released.

The second story is from The Associated Press and is regarding the Congressional testimony of Maj. Gen. Antonio Taguba who is in charge of investigating the mistreatment of Iraqi prisoners. It boils down to the Brigade Commander failed to provide the leadership to insure ALL her soldiers obeyed the rules. In the US military, the law says if a superior gives an illegal order, the subordinates are not required to obey it and if they do, they are just as guilty for carrying out the order as the commander is in giving it. The order to abuse the prisoners was illegal and should not have been obeyed. It points to a localized problem with a failure of the commander in running her unit.

The third story is from the NY Post. Ralph Peters is not happy with what happened in Iraq, but is also furious at all the countries who are condemning the US for prisoner abuse when their own prison systems are far worse on a routine basis. While the US can and does operate at a higher standard from most of the other countries in the world regarding how we treat prisoners, Peters says to the other countries take the log out of your own eye before taking the speck out of our eye.