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Iraqi Civilian Deaths ... caused by Bush's unprovoked war

 

The Abu Ghraib Scandal Cover-Up?
(Michael Hirsh and John Barry, Newsweek, June 7 issue)
The meeting was small and unpublicized. ...Condoleezza Rice grittily endured an hour's worth of pleading from leading human-rights activists who want to see a 9/11-style commission created to investigate the abuse of detainees in the war on terror. According to participants, [Rice] didn't repeat the line that George W. Bush had delivered to the American people in a speech two days before: that the scandal was the work of "a few American troops who dishonored our country." Nor did Rice try to make the case that by razing Iraq's Abu Ghraib Prison—a Bush proposal that took even his Defense secretary by surprise—administration officials would put the scandal behind them. "I recognize we have a very grave problem," Rice said. "There are major investigations going on right now to fully understand the scope and nature of it." But numerous critics—not just in the human-rights community, but in Congress and the U.S. military as well—insist that the current probes are still too limited to bring full accountability. Some critics say Donald Rumsfeld's Defense Department is doing its best to stop potentially incriminating information from coming out, that it's deflecting Congress's inquiries and shielding higher-ups from investigation. Documents obtained by NEWSWEEK also suggest that Rumsfeld's aides are trying hard to contain the scandal, even within the Pentagon. Defense Under Secretary Douglas Feith, who is in charge of setting policy on prisoners and detainees in occupied Iraq, has banned any discussion of the still-classified report on Abu Ghraib written by Maj. Gen. Antonio Taguba, which has circulated around the world. Shortly after the Taguba report leaked in early May, Feith subordinates sent an "urgent" e-mail around the Pentagon warning officials not to read the report, even though it was on Fox News. In the e-mail, a copy of which was obtained by NEWSWEEK, officials in Feith's office warn that the leak is being investigated for "criminal prosecution" and that no one should mention the Taguba report to anybody, even to family members. Feith has turned his office into a "ministry of fear," says one military lawyer. A spokesman for Feith, Maj. Paul Swiergosz, says the e-mail warning was intended to prevent employees from downloading a classified report onto unclassified computers. More worrisome, critics say, is that the Pentagon is investigating itself. Maj. Gen. George Fay, the No. 2 in Army Military Intelligence, is in charge of the probe into whether his own intel officers directed the MPs to abuse prisoners. But so far Fay has questioned no one above the rank of colonel, military and other sources say. Among those critical of Fay is Sgt. Samuel Provance, who was formerly in military intelligence at Abu Ghraib and has told reporters in recent weeks that the Army is engaged in a cover-up. "I had to volunteer more information than was being asked of me [by Fay]. It was like I was adding to his burden," Provance told NEWSWEEK last week. "There are so many soldiers directly involved who haven't been talked to." ...no officer above General Fay's rank is likely to have to worry about the conclusions of his investigation. Under military doctrine, Fay, as a two-star general, "can only hold a one-star accountable...

*******[Comment] - This Administration has shown a proclivity for obfuscation and deceit since Day 1. Why would anyone be surprised that they might first, set a policy contrary to the Geneva Conventions, especially when they are so damn gung-ho for war and showing resolution to those lemming-like Americans who think Bush only has their welfare at heart, and second, when the truth leaks out, as it always does, attempt to deflect, deny, and lie to save their collective skins. Little Bush has, from the beginning, been touted as an hands-on administrator (read MBA (grade C)) who is in complete control. So, why is it so hard to believe that if a policy in direct contravention of accepted norms is instituted that he would not know and have given approval. He has indicated over the past few years that the results justify the means and that doing whatever it takes to make the bottom line is justification enough. After all, it's for OUR good. And if by instituting an investigation by a 2-star General that cannot question those above him or those in other organizations, well, the majority of the lemming-like Americans will sleep well knowing that Little Bush and Rummy are honest and tried. Is it any wonder that Little Bush hasn't directed the Attorney General (if they can tear him away from violating State's Rights) or at a minimum the Pentagon's Inspector General's office to investigate? But then, someone might have to pay the piper... (and that can't happen before the election, can it) - - - But that's just this old Curmudgeon's opinion.********

posted by A Curmudgeon 6:23 AM