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Abu Ghraib troops 'did not abuse'
Notorious photographs of human pyramids and tethered Iraqi prisoners do not prove that US troops abused detainees in Iraq, a military court has heard.
Specialist Charles Graner is facing a court martial for his role in alleged abuses at Baghdad's Abu Ghraib jail. Spc Graner could face a 17-year sentence if found guilty. Three other soldiers have already been convicted.
Defence attorney Guy Womack insisted a tether is a "valid tool", and denied that the photos depicted real abuse. He compared pictures of naked Iraqi prisoners in a human pyramid to cheerleaders at US sports events, who form pyramids "all over America". "Is that torture?" he asked, opening Spc Graner's defence on Monday.
No, but it is abuse, which is what your client is on trial for.
The soldier, who was pictured smiling in a number of the Abu Ghraib pictures, denies assault and conspiracy to mistreat prisoners. Some of the pictures were shown by the prosecution as the court martial got under way at the Fort Hood army base in Texas on Monday.
In his opening statements, prosecutor Major Michael Holley graphically described some of the acts allegedly carried out by Spc Graner. He claimed the military policeman beat an Iraqi prisoner with a baton until he begged to be killed, and forced male inmates to simulate oral sex. Referring to pictures showing Spc Graner standing next to a pile of naked Iraqis, Spc Graner's lawyer said "pyramids" could legitimately be used as a "control technique". Another photo featured Pte Lynndie England, who has since had a child with Graner, leading a prisoner on a leash.
Mr Womack said tethers were "a valid tool" when dealing not only with prisoners, but also with children. "You've probably been at a mall or airport and seen children on tethers; they're not being abused," he argued. "You're keeping control of them. A tether is a valid control to be used in corrections," he said. "In Texas we'd lasso them and drag them out of there."
This kind of argument may work real well for you in a civilian court and on TV, but it ain't gonna go over very well in a court martial.
He said the soldiers took pictures of each other "because no one did anything they thought was wrong".
Or they were stupid and never thought anyone would see them.
The soldier's defence says the abuse was sanctioned by his superiors. "He was doing his job. Following orders and being praised for it," Mr Womack told the court.
Got any proof of that?
Spc Graner, in his dark green dress uniform, chatted and joked with his defence team before the hearing began, but showed no reaction during the proceedings. His trial is expected to last at least a week.
"Whatever happens is going to happen, but I still feel it's going to be on the positive side and I'm going to have a smile on my face," Spc Graner said last week.
Keep smiling, asshole.

Posted by: Steve 2005-01-11
http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=53408