LAT: Higher Officials Unlikely to Be Tried (in Graner case)

[DeepModem Mom]

Higher Officials Unlikely to Be Tried
By Jonathan Peterson, Times Staff Writer


WASHINGTON — The jail term meted out to Army Spc. Charles A. Graner Jr. for abuses at Abu Ghraib prison may prove to be the stiffest criminal punishment that emerges from the entire scandal, according to experts on military justice.

To some, the low-level Army reservist may look like the fall guy in a debacle that embarrassed the United States throughout the world and tainted the image of American forces in Iraq. Yet analysts said that for now, at least, it was doubtful that higher-level officials would be found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt of criminal wrongdoing at the Iraqi prison where Graner ran a notorious, late-night guard shift....

***

The question of responsibility for sadistic behavior at Abu Ghraib leads to murky distinctions between foot soldiers such as Graner, who committed the abuses, and senior officials who failed to prevent them and denied specific knowledge.

More broadly, some point out, the crimes at Abu Ghraib occurred as U.S. policy became increasingly tolerant of rough interrogation practices that were previously forbidden. Approved practices, such as forcing detainees to wear hoods or creating extreme physical discomfort — though controversial — did not include the sexual humiliation and other tactics captured in photographs....


http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-justice16jan16,0,1887055.story?coll=la-home-headlines

[EFerrari]

1. Approved practices? The Times shills for Bush nt

[burrowowl]

2. Higher officials not likely ....

I'm shocked, I tell you shocked!
In this Land of Human Rights, the shining light of DEMOCRACY!
Shocked I am, shocked. :-(

[saigon68]

3. Shit like this appeals not at all to the rank and file

Everyone who has ever been in the service knows all about RHIP. The guy at the bottom always takes the broom handle up the ass. This is why even among the semi illiterate and plainly stupid reserve and guard drones the re-enlistment rate is 15% of first termers.

That is what went on here. In these abuse cases, in the pictures, there are "civilians", other people who appear "IN CHARGE", various dog handlers, medics stitching up prisoners of war, who were ripped open by dogs. Hell in one photo there are at least 12 amerikans milling around

Who the fuck are these people and why is no one doing anything about them

also where are the officers in charge--- oh I guess they are already quietly retiring and preparing

LIKE THE PIGS THEY ARE

TO SWILL AT THE PUBLIC TROUGH.

[Solly Mack]

4. Are there no limits to the hypocrisy?

Were not "higer-level officials" tried at Nuremberg? Were they not tried with good reason?


Why is it the American government thinks it should get a pass on war crimes?

Just because 13 million plus didn't end up in a gas chamber doesn't mean America is somehow less guilty (or more innocent) of war crimes.

The scope of a war crime doesn't make it any less a war crime.

The American government promotes torture (in violation of her own federal laws, as well as Geneva). Torture is a war crime and a federal crime.

What's so hard to understand about that?

Seriously, what is so motherfucking hard to understand?

and I won't even get into how just plain wrong torture is from a moral standpoint...

It hurts to love America... and it hurts more and more each day

[Just Me]

8. The government gets a pass because,...they're in power.

This isn't a democracy or a governance that respects the "rule of law".

It's a corporate tyranny in pursuit of global domination.

Is it wrong?
Absolutely.

Is it anti-democracy and anti-justice?
Yup!!!

Is it an imperialism blending with an evolving fascism?
Unfortunately, yes,...every single day.

[two gun sid]

5. Once again

the US military brass and intelligence community shows what depraved cowards they are. They prosecuted Graner as a public relations stunt. I want the heads of all the officers, military and intelligence,that allowed torture served on a platter. I want the MSM to quit referring to torture masters and mercs as 'contractors'. It makes them sound like plumbers. I want a real investigation into the Abu Gharib, Gitmo and Afghanistan atrocities.

Graner is the result of the actions taken by the real ringleaders of torture, Alberto Gonzales and George W. Bush.

It's a sad day to be an American.

[struggle4progress]

6. kick for needing an independent counsel

[VegasWolf]

7. Give the higher up's gold medals. n/t

[fooj]

9. Enough is enough!

These bastards must be stopped!

[Sgent]

10. There

Need to be stars getting stripped.

To be honest, I have mixed feelings about prosecuting an enlisted man below sergant for something like this. They have no decision making ability, and this was obviously institutionalized.

That being said, just taking orders isn't an excuse.

Officer's and NCO's should be sent to jail for a long time.