Thursday, July 14, 2005
Stop The ACLU: Gitmo "Abuses"
Well, the ACLU has a new screw loose. It seems they suddenly want to give an American military officer credibility ... when it suits their purpose.
ACLU Headline:Abuse Without High Level Accountability; ACLU Dismayed at Lack of Reprimand For Top General
July 13, 2005
WASHINGTON - In anticipation of the release of a long-awaited government inquiry into the interrogation practices used by American personnel at Guantanamo Bay, the American Civil Liberties Union today said that the government broke the law and failed to hold the higher levels of the military accountable. The failure to reprimand the commanding general at Guantanamo was another demonstration of the military's inability to hold itself accountable.
The investigation was headed by Lt. Gen. Randall M. Schmidt of the Air Force, and is expected to be delivered to the Senate Armed Services Committee at an open hearing today.
The following can be attributed to Anthony D. Romero, ACLU Executive Director:
"It is irrefutable that the government violated the Geneva Conventions and the Army Field Manual. The report backs up claims by FBI agents that the government was breaking the rules at Guantanamo Bay. As before, low-ranking men and women will take the full blame while the higher ups get off scot-free. Despite General Schmidt's recommendation to reprimand the commander of Guantanamo Bay, General Geoffrey Miller, a higher-ranking general refused to punish General Miller. Once again, we have abuse without high-level accountability. That will only encourage impunity and allow the abuse to continue."
So let me get this straight. The Gitmo commander has no credibility and should be reprimanded. The General who headed the investigation that revealed the inmates themselves abuse the Koran and US soldiers do not has no credibility. But Gen Schmidt, who recommends punishment is suddenly getting backing from the ACLU.
As for the statement that "low-ranking men and women will take the full blame" that's called personal accountability, something the ACLU doesn't understand. You see when a soldier is given orders and guidelines from higher authority, then disregards or violates them, he's held accountable. As it should be.
If I tell you what to do and you ignore me, you are guilty, not me. That's the way society, and the military, should work.
Look out, General Schmidt, when you find the ACLU on your side it may be time to reexamine your position. ¶ Thursday, July 14, 2005
ACLU Headline:Abuse Without High Level Accountability; ACLU Dismayed at Lack of Reprimand For Top General
July 13, 2005
WASHINGTON - In anticipation of the release of a long-awaited government inquiry into the interrogation practices used by American personnel at Guantanamo Bay, the American Civil Liberties Union today said that the government broke the law and failed to hold the higher levels of the military accountable. The failure to reprimand the commanding general at Guantanamo was another demonstration of the military's inability to hold itself accountable.
The investigation was headed by Lt. Gen. Randall M. Schmidt of the Air Force, and is expected to be delivered to the Senate Armed Services Committee at an open hearing today.
The following can be attributed to Anthony D. Romero, ACLU Executive Director:
"It is irrefutable that the government violated the Geneva Conventions and the Army Field Manual. The report backs up claims by FBI agents that the government was breaking the rules at Guantanamo Bay. As before, low-ranking men and women will take the full blame while the higher ups get off scot-free. Despite General Schmidt's recommendation to reprimand the commander of Guantanamo Bay, General Geoffrey Miller, a higher-ranking general refused to punish General Miller. Once again, we have abuse without high-level accountability. That will only encourage impunity and allow the abuse to continue."
So let me get this straight. The Gitmo commander has no credibility and should be reprimanded. The General who headed the investigation that revealed the inmates themselves abuse the Koran and US soldiers do not has no credibility. But Gen Schmidt, who recommends punishment is suddenly getting backing from the ACLU.
As for the statement that "low-ranking men and women will take the full blame" that's called personal accountability, something the ACLU doesn't understand. You see when a soldier is given orders and guidelines from higher authority, then disregards or violates them, he's held accountable. As it should be.
If I tell you what to do and you ignore me, you are guilty, not me. That's the way society, and the military, should work.
Look out, General Schmidt, when you find the ACLU on your side it may be time to reexamine your position. ¶ Thursday, July 14, 2005
