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Iraq-Jordan
Abu Ghraib troops 'did not abuse'
2005-01-11
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

#12  mustajwib - I don't think ANYBODY outside the Graner crew thought stacking these mooks in a nekkid pyramid was anything but really stupid. Many (including me) think that the hullabaloo was way overplayed by the Donks and the press as a political weapon to damage Rumsfeld, and by connection, Bush. I deeply resent the overplaying of these asshole's complaints, as I have paid a lot of money at times to be tied up with women's panties on my head....but that's just me
Posted by: Frank G   2005-01-11 8:37:34 PM  

#11  Happy to see Rantburg readers do not appear to support the practices the defendents are alleged to have committed. As a former regular green machine interrogator from the 96C days, and as someone who has lived for years in the ME, let me assure you all that what these people are accused of is counter-productive. The misbehavior of even small units tends to become public, and when it does it gives the other side an edge. Witness the recent REMF constraints on intel ops in Afghanistan. You will be doing the professionals a service by condemning this stuff. Just one vet's opinion.
Posted by: mustajwib   2005-01-11 8:12:55 PM  

#10  Heck, do they even have doctors; I mean doctors of medicine as opposed to doctors of theology. And doctors of medicine that don't believe in leaches and bleeding.
Posted by: Mark E.   2005-01-11 4:55:23 PM  

#9  Dr Jules - Since the discovery of the Sphincter of Allan is so recent, wouldn't this be considered experimental surgery? I'm just thinking of the insurance issues - most Muslims prolly don't have Blue Crescent...
Posted by: .com   2005-01-11 12:57:50 PM  

#8  These are obviously only temporary solutions. I recommend sphincter surgery-removing all inflamed tissue between the throat and colon.
Posted by: Dr. Jules   2005-01-11 12:46:28 PM  

#7  Ick. But it leads to the question, "Do you eat with that mouth?" Double ick. *shudder*
Posted by: trailing wife   2005-01-11 12:41:00 PM  

#6  ed - I presume from your suggestion that, when the beef lead cools, it will conform to the contours of the cavities which lead up to the Sphincter of Allan, thus sealing the passage?
Posted by: .com   2005-01-11 12:19:11 PM  

#5  With a hot beef lead injection.
Posted by: ed   2005-01-11 12:11:34 PM  

#4  Hmmm. It's not a condition, per se, it is a physical reality. If you wish to preclude a Muslim from talking shit, assuming that is your intent, then there are 2 regimes suggested:

1) applying a desensitizing agent to the Sphincter of Alan by oral ingestion

2) or ramming a large butt plug into the Muslim's mouth.

Is this a sufficient answer to your query?

;-)
Posted by: .com   2005-01-11 12:11:24 PM  

#3  Sphincter of Allan. :)

LOL, .com. How is it treated?
Posted by: Jules 187   2005-01-11 12:00:45 PM  

#2  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?"

That's because everyone outside of Islam lacks the super-sensitive Sphincter Of Allan. It is a remarkable recent biological discovery, unique to Muslims, which has left researchers stunned - and apologists gagging. In lay terms, a connection was discovered between the throat and colon, controlled by what has been dubbed as the Sphincter of Allan. In addition, it has been shown that the more holy the Muslim, the more neural connections to this small ring of muscle - resulting in heightened sensitivity. When stimulated, the sphincter opens - allowing the person to, literally, talk shit.

Pundits suggest this explains much regards Muslim press releases, in particular, and the peculiar penchant of Arabs and others long steeped in Islam to curse mustaches and "spew" dire consequences predictions, in general.
Posted by: .com   2005-01-11 11:57:24 AM  

#1  ya gotta love it. Civilian lawyers defending the Abu Gharib gang against the US military. You can just hear the short circuits in the NPR gang's head.
Posted by: 2b   2005-01-11 9:06:50 AM  

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