|
|
 |
| |
Home
> Commentary:
Article |
| |
READER RESPONSE,
Wednesday 5/26/2004
|
|
To the Public
Governance Institute:
In response to Mr. Climer's "Transforming
U.S. Embarrassments...," I don't disagree with his specific
tactical suggestion but I do take issue with the implied/inferred
expected results.
(1) In proceeding with investigations and
charges under the UCMJ [Uniform Code of Military Justice] against
those involved at Abu Ghraib prison, the U.S. will demonstrate
its sense of justice for its own. This will not move the elites
in the U.S. or Europe; the episode to them is not about justice
but about political leverage. It will not move the Islamists who
hate us. And the so-called "moderate" Muslims will be
told repeatedly that this is merely a cover-up for greater crimes.
Having said that, it is very important to make the trials and
punishments as swift and as transparent as possible. That is the
right thing to do; and it is important for American political
consumption. Oh, and by the way, that's exactly what the Army
has been doing since January 15. The U.S. command announced the
investigations on that date in a press conference. Suspending
the chain of command, they started the probe which led to these
charges. This is why there's a "taluba" report (which
was leaked) and the photos were uncovered in the investigation
and leaked...
The one problem that you have here is that, in fact, a cover-up
is going on, but not in the way the "Blame America First"
crowd thinks. This crowd wants to find Secretary Rumsfeld or one
of his advisors with a bloody whip in his closet or at least the
"smoking memo" tying them (and ultimately the President)
to the aberrations in the prison.
The Army Brass, in typical fashion, is exhibiting its political
correctness by: a) not court-martialing the FEMALE General Karpinski,
who has the responsibility here in the chain-of-command; and b)
trying to keep punishment away from other senior field commanders
(meaning anyone above the rank of E-8). This is wrong.
As regards General Karpinski, the previous Administration's social
experimentation with the Armed Force is still hurting us. This
is a shame. As for the Army Brass, they always have and always
will look to themselves -- which means they could use a little
bloodletting, now and then.
(2) The investigation into the United Nations situation seems,
from everything reported, to be stonewalled. This is outrageous.
This investigation should be the unrelenting focus of this Administration
and the Congress. We're looking for, and missing, "a few
good junkyard dogs" here.
(3) Nevertheless, even though I sound pessimistic, I agree that
it should be carried out the way Mr. Climer outlines. Because,
very simply, that's the way it should be done and that's what
Americans will expect and applaud.
Being a lone Superpower does not mean "having to say you
are sorry"; it does mean that you should hold to your own
standards regardless of how many "friends" you have
in the world. In the long run, it is your national interests and
your legacy that counts, not the shifting opinions of most of
your "friends."
DON MORRISSEY
DonaldJMorrissey@aol.com
Washington, D.C. |
| |
Back
to Top |
|
