torturer Davis pleads but doesn't have to testify - what a deal!

[donsu]

http://gadflyer.com/flytrap/index.php?Week=200505#1450

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Davis Deal a Dud


Slipping under the radar as the State of the Union approaches is news that one of the Abu Ghraib military guards, Sgt. Javal Davis, has negotiated a plea deal.

Here's why it's good news for Davis, bad news for the rest of us, and further confirmation that the Pentagon brass is more than happy to sweep this whole thing under the rug: As a condition of his deal, Davis will not be required to testify against others, according to Paul Bergrin, his attorney.

Huh – what kind of plea is that? What exactly is in it for the prosecution – for the investigators – if they are cutting bargains to reduce sentences in exchange for silence?

Remember, Donald Rumsfeld explained his initial silence about the prison scandal by saying he was protecting the legal rights of those in his charge. That would have been a legit explanation had he stuck to it once his ass was on trial in the court of public opinion. But he and the rest of the brass needed to dump the scandal, to confine it to a few. And isn't trading silence in exchange for a reduced sentence a great way to avoid learning about the full truth of the story?

Charles Graner, who was sentenced a few weeks ago, made clear through his attorney that civilian contractors were giving the orders – precisely the sort of message Crummy Rummy would rather we not hear.

I don't doubt that Graner was more central to the scandal than Davis. But Davis got only 18 months; Graner got 10 years. Do your own math, but even with my socks and shoes on those sentences seem disproportionate, perhaps inversely so.

The government should be bargaining for, not away, maximum information on the full reach of this scandal. Rather than talking to reduce your sentence, the Davis bargain suggests that those under investigation can do a whole lot better by agreeing to stay silent.
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america - the country that tortures proudly

[Name removed]

1. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[donsu]

2. what an interesting way to change the subject

nt