Iraq abuse 'came from Guantanamo'

[struggle4progress]

The US commander at the centre of the Iraqi prisoner scandal has blamed the abuse on the introduction of Guantanamo-style interrogation methods.

Brig Gen Janis Karpinski told the BBC the high-level decision meant prisoners had to be treated like dogs.
<snip>

Top commander Ricardo Sanchez must be asked serious questions about what he knew about the abuse and when, she said.
<snip>

But Gen Karpinski believes the soldiers had not taken the pictures of their own accord.
<snip>

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3806713.stm

[grytpype]

1. Total meltdown.

No one knows how this is going to end.

But if you still think it's possible Bush can get re-elected, you're in a dream world.

[struggle4progress]

3. I don't see how he could honestly win the election.

He didn't in 00, and I can't imagine it in 04 either.

[grytpype]

4. There's a serious chance he won't be the candidate.

I think if the torture scandal reaches him personally, which looks very likely, then he is finished. The GOP will distance itself from him and the other top Bushists. They'll fire him.

[ejcastellanos]

7. How would that affect the candidacy?

It is too late for primaries in most states I would think. How would the Republicans get another candidate on the ticket?

[quispquake]

5. I don't think he can honestly win the election...

BUT, they've proved there are plenty of DISHONEST ways they can win...

[grytpype]

2. MGEN Miller: Prisoners are like dogs!

From the article:

---

She said current Iraqi prisons chief Maj Gen Geoffrey Miller - who was in charge at Guantanamo Bay - visited her in Baghdad and said: "At Guantanamo Bay we learned that the prisoners have to earn every single thing that they have."

"He said they are like dogs and if you allow them to believe at any point that they are more than a dog then you've lost control of them."

--

Total meltdown.

[Jack Rabbit]

6. Sanchez should be charged under the war drimes act

Of course, it shouldn't stop with him. It was Bush who signed the executive orders setting up a semi-secret detention system beyond the scrutiny of federal or international oversight. Bush is responsible for the use of torture in these prisons. Bush should be charged as well.

If the US government is unwilling or unable to prosecute suspects for war crimes, then the task should be given to an international tribunal.