Where U.S. torture came from

Army Interrogator Tony Lagouranis says that the responsibility for torture performed by military personnel at Guantanimo, Abu Ghraib, etc. extends all the way up the chain of command because the "interrogation rules of engagement" under which it was done came from the Pentagon. Thus the prison sentences given out shouldn't be limited to Lynndie England and Charles Graner.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• torture
• government
• war
• crimes
• Bush
• Pentagon
• Rumsfeld

[VictorLaszloLives]

The loss of our moral compass as a nation is due to a few bad apples at the top. After five years, why has this administration failed to bring justice to the guilty and the innocent at Guantanamo? Charge the prisoners and put them on trial in a court of law. Let the prisoners confront the evidence with a lawyer to defend them. This is not about giving terrorists rights. This is about us finding our way back to the vision of freedom and justice that makes us who we are.

[VictorLaszloLives]

You assume I am a democrat. I voted against a democratic senator who voted for the suspension of Habeas Corpus. Prisoners of war are due the rights provided under the Geneva Conventions. Depriving combatants or prisoners of war of a fair trail is a grave breach (war crime) of the Geneva Convention (Protocol I, Art. 85, Sec. 4e).

[warlord618]

lynndie england is a stinking chunt

[shamrock08]

I like Tony for stepping up and speking out about what he did and saw. Can´t wait to read his book.

[ginerlynn]

Unless the individuals are considered "unlawful" combatants,the Geneva Convention applies. No torture,no denial of habeas corpus,no indefinite incarceration without charges being brought.

[VictorLaszloLives]

There was a time when the rule of law was sacred. There was a time when the distinction between guilt and innocence was paramount. In your eyes, guilt and innocence are nothing but a gray blur when you refer to "these people." Thank you for proving my point, we have lost our moral compass. Everyone who sees this clearly must speak truth to power, and we will take our nation home.

[gerry301]

The Geneva coventions on the conduct of treating prisoners of war were intended for nations at war and not multi national terrorist groups. I for one do not want to see these people on our streets or back in battle killing our troops.

[VictorLaszloLives]

The Geneva Conventions require that POWs who are on trial be subject to the same procedures as would be the holding army's own soldiers. That would be a Court Martial. You are aware of the Geneva Conventions, are you not?

[gerry301]

You are confusing American rights to a trial by jury to POWs captured on the field of battle. Two entirely different things. Our system of justice is fine, and has provisions for dealing with those who are prisoners of war. The law is being followed but it is different than the everyday law you are used to. Don't confuse apples with oranges.

[VictorLaszloLives]

You presume guilt until proven innocent. Worse than that, you do not see any reason to provide the innocent with a means to challenge their imprisonment. Let's try them by the standards of Courts Martial. Let's restore Habeas Corpus. Let's embrace our system of justice that has always been up to the task. Punish the guilty by the standards of law, and free the innocent. Let's get at the truth, because the American people deserve to know the truth.

[gerry301]

So give them trial by military tribunal when so deamed. At least 12 of these individuals have been killed later in the field of battle after release and I assume many others have been reintegrated into thier former units after release. You talk of innocence when most are picked up on the battlefield with weapons still smoking. I do not share your concern for these "victims" of the US. They must be treated with respect as appropiate until the war is over.