When it comes to the war in Iraq, the Washington Post editorial board has been about as reliable as the Washington Times’ editorial board. Today, however, the Post does a fine job expressing its outrage over the latest round of reports of widespread torture. It’s definitely worth reading.
For example, the Post notes the evolution of the administration’s bogus excuses.
Since the publication of photographs of abuse at Iraq’s Abu Ghraib prison in the spring the administration’s whitewashers — led by Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld — have contended that the crimes were carried out by a few low-ranking reservists, that they were limited to the night shift during a few chaotic months at Abu Ghraib in 2003, that they were unrelated to the interrogation of prisoners and that no torture occurred at the Guantanamo Bay prison where hundreds of terrorism suspects are held. The new documents establish beyond any doubt that every part of this cover story is false.
The editorial also reminds us of an important detail that hasn’t been emphasized enough: the documents obtained by the ACLU and delivered to the press were handed over under a court order.
The Bush administration refused to release these records to the human rights groups under the Freedom of Information Act until it was ordered to do so by a judge. Now it has responded to their publication with bland promises by spokesmen that any wrongdoing will be investigated.
In other words, if Bush had his way, these devastating reports would permanently remain a secret and the White House could continue to pretend that three years of torture were simply isolated incidents caused by a few “bad apples.”
It’s past time for some semblance of accountability.
The tolerance Bush has shown for these crimes seems to know no bounds. No one’s been fired; no independent investigations have been launched; no public displays outrage have been shared.
Indeed, the president has identified some of those at least partially responsible for torture — and given them promotions. Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez was identified by the Taguba Report as being directly involved in efforts to hide prisoners from the Red Cross. After that came to public light, the administration announced its plan to give him a promotion. Similarly, Maj. Gen. Barbara Fast, the highest-ranking intelligence officer tied to the Abu Ghraib prison scandal, was offered a promotion to lead the Army’s intelligence school.
Every fresh round of shocking reports bring more silence from the White House. Now seems like the ideal time for a leader — who claims high moral standing — to take charge, hold the guilty responsible, and take meaningful steps to prevent it from happening again. Anyone know where we might find such a leader? Because I don’t think the one we have now is up to the task.