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| Sen. Joe Lieberman: why Rumsfeld must stay |
| 2004-05-14 |
| Wall Street Journal; EFL. Watching the reels of pictures from the prison in Iraq was a jarring descent into a world without values or limits or law. I was appalled, of course, by the American guards’ lack of any respect for the humanity of their prisoners. But I was also struck and saddened by their lack of respect, as seen in the pictures they took of themselves, for their own humanity, for their own inherent human dignity. . . . What caused these heinous acts? Was it just the latest example of the reality history reveals, that some soldiers crack under the stress of war? Was it the human weakness of guards exploiting the temporary power they hold over those in their control? Was it directed, encouraged, facilitated or tolerated by higher-ups in the chain of command? Was it somehow also the cumulative effect on a generation raised in an entertainment and Internet culture that has grown increasingly violent and pornographic? I do not know enough yet to answer these important questions with sufficient confidence. They must be asked and answered. But I do know enough to reach the following conclusions: First, we must aggressively and thoroughly investigate what was happening at Abu Ghraib prison and at every other American military prison. . . . This investigation, and the justice it produces, should make clear to us and the world that we Americans will not tolerate such inhumanity, even in the treatment of those who are themselves wantonly inhumane to us. . . . And that leads to my second conclusion. We cannot allow the prison scandal in Iraq to diminish our own American sense of national honor and purpose, or further erode support for our just and necessary cause in Iraq. American opponents of the war may try to do the latter, while foreign critics and enemies of the United States will try to do the former. . . . Most Democrats and Republicans, including President Bush and Sen. Kerry, agree that we must successfully finish what we have started in Iraq. Now is the time for all who share that goal to make our agreement publicly clear, to stress what unites us. Many argue that we can only rectify the wrongs done in the Iraqi prisons if Donald Rumsfeld resigns. I disagree. Unless there is clear evidence connecting him to the wrongdoing, it is neither sensible nor fair to force the resignation of the secretary of defense, who clearly retains the confidence of the commander in chief, in the midst of a war. I have yet to see such evidence. Secretary Rumsfeld’s removal would delight foreign and domestic opponents of America’s presence in Iraq. But, as we are showing in our response to Abu Ghraib, we are a nation of laws, and therefore must punish only those who are proven guilty. . . . |
| Posted by:Mike |
| #2 LH, I agree. I vote to eschew any action that would result in the Palestinians dancing about in the streets in joy. I find celebrations of the terrorist fan club more visually disturbing than any picture I has thus far seen involving Ms. English. Don't get me wrong; I consider her to be "coyote ugly." Note - the side view pic of her as Danny B yesterday was priceless. |
| Posted by: Super Hose 2004-05-14 3:46:09 PM |
| #1 Interesting. Thanks for posting. If Joe wants Rummy to stay, thats good enough for me. Count me in the "Rummy should stay, for now" column. |
| Posted by: Liberalhawk 2004-05-14 10:29:46 AM |