ABUSE CRISIS: Accused Abu Ghraib soldier back in U.S., page 1

posted on Nov, 30 2004 @ 02:13 AM

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Specialist Charles Graner, the solider at the center of the Abu Ghraib abuse crisis was returned to the U.S. today in order to stand trial. Graner was flown to Fort Hood, Texas, under military escort. The court martial is scheduled for January 7th. Graner is the alleged leader of the physical abuse and sexual humiliation of the prisoners located at the Abu Ghraib facility. The abuse came to light last April after pictures of soldiers abusing prisoners were leaked to the media.

www.cnn.com
(CNN) -- The soldier at the center of the Abu Ghraib prisoner abuse case has been brought back to the United States for trial at an Army post in Texas, his lawyer said Monday.

Spc. Charles Graner was flown back under military escort Sunday and transferred to Fort Hood, Texas, defense attorney Guy Womack told CNN.

"He's thrilled to be home," Womack said. "Of course, home is Pennsylvania, but he's just glad to be back in the U.S."

Graner's court-martial is tentatively scheduled for January 7 at Fort Hood, and a hearing in the case is expected in the next few days, Army officials said.

Prosecutors allege he was a ringleader of the physical abuse and sexual humiliation of prisoners at Abu Ghraib, a facility that was notorious for torture under the rule of ousted Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein. The abuses came to light in April, after a series of graphic photographs of soldiers mistreating Iraqi prisoners were made public.

Please visit the link provided for the complete story.

This whole scandal is morally repugnant. Those involved in these acts should be punished. However, what really disgust me is the total whitewash for higher ups in the Army chain of command. The investigation never reached higher levels and Donald Rumsfeld is the man ultimately responsible for these actions. Pressure should have been place upon him to resign.

HowlrunnerIV

posted on Nov, 30 2004 @ 03:04 AM

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I agree fully. The man who did the deeds needs to be punished. So do those who allowed or encouraged them to happen.

It has been documented that the commander of Camp X-Ray toured Abu Ghraib and recommended changes that would assist in interrogations.

The whole facility was understaffed to begin with and working in a climate where the President has removed the restrictions on the CIA being armed and then used them in Afghanistan, where civilian contractors are used for more than maintenance, where soldiers are being encouraged to be amenable to interrogator's desires instead of prisoners' rights, a Sergeant is the highest-ranking soldier charged.

birddawg

posted on Dec, 2 2004 @ 11:08 PM

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Soldiers should recogonize when and when not a lawful order is given. If it smells fishy, it's probably is fishy.

An old saying goes something like this "If it walks like a duck, looks like a duck and quacks like a duck, then its probably a duck". Meaning, lets not overlook the obvious and justify that its a dog.

But, don't forget here OK, There are a lot, and I mean %99.9999, of the soldiers over there, are fine and upstanding poeple.
My regret is that the actions of a few tarnish the reputations of many. It's not fair to them.

curme

posted on Dec, 2 2004 @ 11:20 PM

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Originally posted by birddawg
Soldiers should recogonize when and when not a lawful order is given. If it smells fishy, it's probably is fishy.

Donald Rumsfeld authorized torture. Technically, it was a lawful order. Granted, he should of disobeyed that lawful order, but if you believe Bush and Gonzales, torture is a-ok.