Friday, May 07, 2004
Long term ramifications
Prisoner abuses at Abu Ghraib prison will have long term ramifications, not just with Arab regimes who already disliked us, but with Europeans, who will be even less likely to go along with American visions of the future (not that Bush would have had any luck with that even before). A number of foreign policy objectives, chief among them our attempt to bring democracy to the Middle East, have been seriously jeopardized.
This statement does provide hope, though:
"It's terrible and it's made life difficult for awhile," Kristol said. "But if it becomes clear that this is the exception and [the troops involved] are held accountable, it could end up being an impressive demonstration to countries where torture is routine."
Time to start a SERIOUS investigation, and to consider whether Rumsfeld had any responsibility for these abuses, or the apparent 3-month coverup. I have trouble believing that he wasn't responsible, at least for the coverup. If so, he needs to be remove, whatever damage that might do to Bush's reelection prospects.
Prisoner abuses at Abu Ghraib prison will have long term ramifications, not just with Arab regimes who already disliked us, but with Europeans, who will be even less likely to go along with American visions of the future (not that Bush would have had any luck with that even before). A number of foreign policy objectives, chief among them our attempt to bring democracy to the Middle East, have been seriously jeopardized.
This statement does provide hope, though:
"It's terrible and it's made life difficult for awhile," Kristol said. "But if it becomes clear that this is the exception and [the troops involved] are held accountable, it could end up being an impressive demonstration to countries where torture is routine."
Time to start a SERIOUS investigation, and to consider whether Rumsfeld had any responsibility for these abuses, or the apparent 3-month coverup. I have trouble believing that he wasn't responsible, at least for the coverup. If so, he needs to be remove, whatever damage that might do to Bush's reelection prospects.
