Wes Clark: Stop Blaming the Troops (a Petition)

[Totally Committed]

Stop Blaming the Troops - Investigate the Real Culprits of Abuse

The time has come to investigate the Bush Administration's role in the prisoner abuse and humiliation that has motivated our enemies in the war on terror and endangers the well-being of our fighting forces.

Today, the reports of abuse and humiliation at detainment facilities in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Cuba are distracting the world from focusing on winning the war on terror. Although the military chain of command seems to have properly investigated the role of its personnel and held accountable those in the wrong, the civilian leadership in this country has failed to do the same.

Call on Senate Armed Services Chairman John Warner to investigate the Bush Administration's role in prisoner abuse now!

For generations, the United States has been a powerful voice of moral authority in the world. After World War II, we led the world in creating the Geneva Conventions and prosecuting war criminals at Nuremberg, and later became one of the first nations to ratify the Convention Against Torture. Even today, Slobodan Milosevic is being tried for war crimes thanks to a U.S.-led NATO air strike against his brutal campaign of ethnic cleansing in the Balkans.

Unfortunately, the Bush Administration has squandered our legacy of moral leadership.

I need your help to protect the honor of our men and women in uniform and to set us on the right course to win the war on terror. Although the President has said the United States is "committed to the worldwide elimination of torture and we are leading this fight by example," the Administration's actions don't match his words. In his infamous memo, Alberto Gonzales advised President Bush to ignore the Geneva Convention on the treatment of prisoners of war – a treaty that protects our soldiers captured abroad – to give the president more "flexibility." This so-called "flexibility" along with other Administration policies and statements may have ultimately contributed to the environment in which the abuses at Abu Ghraib, Guantanamo Bay and Afghanistan have occurred.

Among the disturbing practices identified so far: the rendition of prisoners to countries where they can be tortured, failing to register "ghost prisoners" to deny them visits by the Red Cross, employing civilian contract agents to conduct interrogations outside military rules, and the reported prolonged degrading treatment of some detainees in U.S. custody. All of these deserve further investigation.

With the right leadership and accountability, couldn't the Administration have prevented the embarrassment of Abu Ghraib and the controversy at Guantanamo Bay? While some are blaming individual soldiers, doesn't at least some of the responsibility rest with the civilian leadership of our government? Don't the American people deserve the truth? Shouldn't Congress lead an investigation?
Sign my petition to Chairman John Warner now and urge him to hold hearings on the Bush Administration's statements, policies, orders, and actions related to prisoner abuse.

How can we win the war on terrorism, a fight for democracy and freedom in America and around the world, if we forsake the very principles and institutions for which we are fighting?

The laws of war are designed to regulate combat and to protect non-combatants from the violence and degradation of war. The conduct of this Administration may ultimately lead to a green-light for our enemies to torture our soldiers when captured -- we owe it to our men and women in uniform and their families to investigate.
American soldiers deserve better than to see our allies pointing their fingers at Guantanamo Bay and calling it an "American problem." We are doing their work too – defeating terror is a global priority.

People of good conscience cannot afford to stay silent. Please join me today, and then invite everyone you know to stand with us.

Sincerely,
Wes Clark

http://www.securingamerica.com/?q=node/184

Sign the petition:

http://ga4.org/campaign/prisonerabuse/

Leave a response:

http://www.securingamerica.com


TC

[Roland99]

1. Y-E-S-! ! ! ! ! !

[Mass]

2. Great letter.

[jasmeel]

3. I love it-Signed! n/t

[mojavekid]

4. Done!

Damn, there Wes goes agian, sounding all leader like and such...........!

*edited for poor grammar..

[Wickerman]

5. kick!

:kick:

[wryter2000]

6. Wonderful!

I signed it.

[Totally Committed]

7. I hope everybody will take a moment,

and go sign this petition!

It is important.

TC

[Texas_Kat]

8. A powerful statement from WKC!

A powerful statement to demand that this blighted administration accept responsibility for what their policies and practices have set in motion.

Even John Warner can't ignore a call like this!

[hedda_foil]

9. Signed and nominated by a committed Deaniac!

This is a great effort by Clark, and he's the right one to lead the petition drive.

[Totally Committed]

11. Thank you, hedda...

Howard rocks, too.

TC

[Adelante]

36. Thank you very much

:toast:

[Kahuna]

10. I'm confused. I thought Wes joined FAUX News to be..

a mouthpiece for the wingnuts/ :shrug:

</sarcasm>

General Clark rocks!!!!!!!!! :yourock:

[Tom Rinaldo]

12. Thank God. Sanity and strength. Hold the Guilty Accountable

Clark is the perfect person to spearhead this. No one can accuse him of insulting our soldiers.

"How can we win the war on terrorism, a fight for democracy and freedom in America and around the world, if we forsake the very principles and institutions for which we are fighting?

The laws of war are designed to regulate combat and to protect non-combatants from the violence and degradation of war. The conduct of this Administration may ultimately lead to a green-light for our enemies to torture our soldiers when captured -- we owe it to our men and women in uniform and their families to investigate."

[Joyce78]

13. Done

Happy to see this!

[ClarkUSA]

14. That's Wes Clark - Target the responsiblity right at Bush and the GOP!

Ooh, I'll bet Wes Clark enjoyed sending this to Senator John Warner. :wink:

Signed and passed on to everyone in my local Democratic activist group.

Thanks, TC!! :thumbsup:

[Clark2008]

15. Well, if the whores on TV wouldn't let him have rebuttal

He'll just take rebuttal to them!

What a fighter my man Wes is!!

:loveya:

[Jim Sagle]

61. And THAT'S why he joined FOX - to go straight at the enemy...and steal

their followers.

[jen4clark]

16. Speaking out once again

and putting the responsibility right where it belongs! Thank you General Clark!!

Signed and emailed to everyone in my address book. Think I'll also send it to my congressman and senators!

:woohoo:

[Totally Committed]

17. kick!

:kick:

TC

[FrenchieCat]

18. Signed, Sealed, and

waiting for delivery.

Like so many people forget....."While some are blaming individual soldiers, doesn't at least some of the responsibility rest with the civilian leadership of our government? Don't the American people deserve the truth?"

It's the Civilian Leadership, stupid!

[Tom Rinaldo]

19. This is EXACTLY how Democrats need to frame this issue

Don't blame the troops, don't put their lives at risk, stand firm for what America believes in. Hold those accountable for this mess directly accountable. The buck stops at the White House.

[Totally Committed]

20. This is what Durbin should have said...

instead of apologizing, fercripessake!

But, God Bless Wes for saying this. I would love to be a fly on the wall when Warner gets this petition! LOL!

TC

[ClarkUSA]

64. Maybe he'll reconsider before the urge to apologize for a 3rd time strikes

:eyes:

[CWebster]

21. Says the great defender of the SOA

The hell with this public show of honoring troops as heros. The rich and powerful don't buy the big act--they don't send their kids. Yeah, mostly it is poor and working class kids who are trapped to do the bidding of the corporate class and war is always barbarism. It turns people into beasts--it is the very nature of war. The only way the masters of war get away with it is by portraying it as a moral undertaking all wrapped up in the flag and all that is good and holy. That is why Bush is speaking in front of soldiers tonight, soldiers who are victims--not heros, and this thinking that we are moral crusaders is why Bush chose his particular venue to speak.

[FrenchieCat]

24. Like I said earlier.....

It's the BEAST, i.e., the "ELECTED" the CIVILIAN LEADERSHIP, STUPID!

Always has been and always will be.

The soldiers are following orders which reflect the "ELECTED" CIVILIAN LEADERSHIP'S POLICIES. They are not "victims".....they are the pawns.

The victims are ALL OF US, and in particular those who have tasted, first hand, these policies.

The HEROES are those WHO TAKE ACTION AND SPEAK OUT AGAINST THIS shameful shit.

AND, it is those who do not understand that CONCEPT, but who would rather prefer to make the priority taking CHEAP SHOTS.....that keep Karl Rove's talking points alive and well and damn effective.

To those, I say, get a goddamn clue....like yesterday!

[Tom Rinaldo]

26. Do you have any disagreement with the petition Content???

Did you read it? What parts do you agree with, what parts do you disagree with? It would be nice to have some informed discussion about the specific issue.

I agree with a lot of the commentary you just wrote. But there are unlimited opportunities for commentary about War and Peace, the Wealthy and the Poor, and who does what for/to whom. You can start a thread about the barbarism of war and those who profit from it. The question here is, do you support the petition? Does it move the debate in a positive direction for Democrats now or not?

[CWebster]

27. Gees Tom

It is just food for thought. For crying out loud, why is it that we can't address these underlying realities in an integrated way if it threatens our hero worship?

[Totally Committed]

28. I think what Tom asked was not only valid...

but had nothing to do with "hero worship".

If you are going to be willing to come into a positive thread and piss all over our cornflkes, maybe you should be willing to address the content of the letter as well.

All this anti-anything-military bullshit just gets so damned old after awhile. Put up or shut up, fercripessake.

This is an important letter/petition. It is seeking to address the very things you address -- poor kids being the scapegoats in the barbarism of war -- with the rich and powerful being able to escape responsibility.

I reiterate what Tom just said -- what, in the content of this piece -- did you disagree with? Did you agree with any of it? If so, then which parts? Perhaps you'd like to say something constructive?

TC

[CWebster]

30. Hey too bad

This is a political debate site--not a series of isolated fan clubs and gushing political pop idol circle jerks.

And people are confounded by those who can't- see or refuse to hear anything that would diminish Bush in their faith based estimations.

[Totally Committed]

31. I find this offensive:

"...isolated fan clubs and gushing political pop idol circle jerks"

I maintain this thread is nothing of the sort! And, I didn't think there was any "discussion" about what you said. It was a couple of accusations and some pissing and moaning. That wasn't a "discussion".

This is a call to arms against an administration who is egregious in its mal-treatment of the troops and ALSO it's evasion of responsibilty. Please look at it from that point of view.

TC

[Tom Rinaldo]

29. "Gees CW"

This isn't a "hero worship" thread. I'm not saying others are, but threads do pop up at DU all the time just to say something nice about a Democrat that someone likes. This isn't one of them. There is actual substance here. There is a specific request for support and action. It deals directly with an issue that has dominated a significant amount of political and even moral debate for the last week in particular. Rove and the Bush Administration have tried to shift the blame onto either the soldiers or, in the case of Durbin, the messenger.

All I really asked you to do was to address the specific topic. Note that, until now, I let slide your injecting the SOA directly into this. Note that I didn't "defend the General". This is an action alert thread CW, that's why there was implied criticism perhaps of your "food for thought", although I didn't say anything critical about your opinions, the opposite really, I said I agreed with most of it.

[CWebster]

32. Okay

but I still think this whole militarism = national religion is part of the problem.

[Tom Rinaldo]

33. And there too I mostly agree with you, lol, n/t

[Totally Committed]

34. And, guess what?

I mostly agree, too.

Thank you for having the maturity to respond with civility. I appreciate it.

TC

[FrenchieCat]

38. Sorry....

But I still didn't get a very adequate reading on CWebster's take on the specifics here.

Will CWebster sign the petition is what I wanted to know? To date, seems like I got an "OK" out of it...but I'm still not quite certain!

[CWebster]

41. Well for starters- there is no denying Clark's militarism

and he gives the military a pass right here:

"Although the military chain of command seems to have properly investigated the role of its personnel and held accountable those in the wrong..."

They never went up the chain of command in the military.

Then Clark goes on equating US military with a moral supremacy. In defending SOA he suggested that if we didn't teach those heathens human rights via SOA, who would? I found those statements incredulous.

[Totally Committed]

42. I beg to differ...

General Sanchez was held accountable. How much more "up the chain of command" could it go for you to be happy?

And, why the SOA bullshit here in this thread? Certainly, even you, want to see BushCo. held accountable. Right? Certainly, even you, see the strength and courage Clark uses in this letter. Why can't you just praise that instead of constantly regergitating the same old same old, ad nauseaum?

TC

[CWebster]

74. Sanchez is in prison?

The SOA bullshit, huh? Why is the subject taboo? Because it causes discomfort and dissonance? Talk about torture....the School of the Americas is the most notorious example of US efforts to brutalize populations to bend to US "interests"--which Clark defends as some benevolent human rights organization.

[Tom Rinaldo]

45. Most chains of command get compromised when the top is poisoned

That's how Rumsfeld gets away with repeatedly saying that he would have sent more troops to Iraq to provide security or seal the borders or whatever, if the commanders on the ground asked for them, but since they don't he hasn't. Right. They have been told in no uncertain terms not to ask.

I strongly suspect that there were those in the military chain of command who should and could have done more to prevent serious abuses, I'll admit that. And some of them got let off the hook. I do not think that the abuses or the atmosphere that encouraged them originated inside the military chain of command however. I think they can be traced directly back to the White House (that includes Cheney of course) and the Justice Department and Defense Department Civilian leadership. And if this White House had not poisoned everything they touched with distortion, lies, and illegalities, there would not have been any systematic abuses on the scale that actually occurred.

I hold Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, and Gonzales accountable. They even bypassed as much of the military chain of command as possible by bringing in busloads of "private contractors" to conduct and oversee interrogations and more. Sure there are likely lesser villains that can be pursued within the military ranks, but this one not only goes all the way up to the top, it originated all the way up at the top. Ww are not just dealing with a cover up, we are dealing with commands down. Clark is right to pin this outrage on the Bush Administration. That's numbers one, two, three, and four. For number five it is also wise politics to shift the blame off the soldiers and onto the commander in chief.

And for the record though I can see how you can tie in the issue of the SOA into a discussion of military conduct and accountability, Clark does not defend the SOA in this petition. I really think the merits of this call for action should be directly discussed rather than bringing in all possible related matters that are not part of this petition. I am not opposed to those discussions, but I doubt they would be injected here had this statement been penned by anyone else.

[CWebster]

75. Torture was\is the policy

that was the purpose of the end run around the Geneva Conventions to begin with.

You are using the "just following orders" excuse here.

[Tom Rinaldo]

77. I'm not excusing anyone, honestly

I'm saying the institution of systematic abuses as well as the cover up of them started at the very top here, and that is where the focus for condemning them should be put as a result, at least until some justice is achieved in holding them accountable for their actions. My comments on the chain of command included an acknowledgment that I believe others within it bear responsibility also, I said some were let off the hook. I said though that the scale of systematic abuses would not have happened were it not for the very top of this Administration encouraging them, and I agree with Clark that that is where we should train our fire now.

And this petition has some of the strongest language arguing for the Geneva Conventions being upheld that I have read any American political leader, let alone an ex military leader, use.

[CarolNYC]

78. So, did you sign it?

Or do you think Bush should get a pass on this one?

Thanks!

[FrenchieCat]

70. Like Clark said....

stop blaming the troops!

[CarolNYC]

62. C'mon CW, you can sign it...

I know you have a problem with militarism and the SOA. I understand your heartfelt opposition to both. I really do. It took me some time to come around to the General myself and I did have a moment of crisis, while riding my bike under the GW Bridge right around the time the General announced he was running, where I almost jumped right off the Clark ship myself, not believing I could actually support a lifelong military man....But really, this petition is a good thing. Bush needs to be investigated on this. You can sign it, right?? Thanks!!

[Texas_Kat]

37. Perhaps you didn't know

WKC's son (Wes Clark, Jr) DID put time in the Army. He might take issue with your lumping him in with the 'rich kids who don't serve".

That a little insulting by itself.

[ClarkUSA]

43. Please don't hijack this positive Clark thread with your flamebait

I see plenty of high-fiving of Democratic efforts at GDP's homepage right now, yet I notice that you aren't terming other threads' supportive commentary to be "hero-worship"or "circle jerks".

This is an important statement from a four-star retired Army general into the face of Bush and his supporters in the White House and Congress.

Put aside your blinders and support what's right with this petition.

If any other Democratic leader had proposed this petition, I doubt you'd be denigrating this thread's supporters right now.

Let's all do the right thing here, okay?

[Clarkie1]

68. So you decide who are the victims and heroes?

You're not God, jerk.

Get over yourself and growup.

I hope someday you will become a better, less egotistical person.

[CarolNYC]

22. done and forwarded....

Very good statement from our General... :patriot:

[Donna Zen]

23. Calling all DUers

You travel to many internet(s) sites, belong to many groups, and know the truth.

Please help to spread the word.

These policies are hurting our country and endangering the lives of many Americans and Iraqis.

Accountability matters. So far we've managed to poor track record on holding their feet to the fire...but we must keep it up.

[trillian]

25. Yessir!

Signed and sent to all in my address book.

Thank God for Wes Clark!

:patriot:

[Independent_Liberal]

35. Signed!

[Shredr]

39. Signed and kick!

Great letter.

[Coexist]

40. Could I love this man any more?!

Go Wes - signed and forwarded.

[LittleClarkie]

44. Signed and nominated by a committed Kerrycrat

And I will go over to DailyKos and start a diary there on it.

[Totally Committed]

46. Thanks so much, LittleClarkie...

very gracious of you!

TC

[LittleClarkie]

52. Hey, we're all in this together

and Clark is sounding the alarm on the issue that woke up this little sheeple back in the day.

It's not the troops, folks. And when we highlight the shame of the abuse, we're not blaming the troops. We're blaming those who are desperately trying to reframe this as an attack on the troops. They are using the troops as a shield for their incompetence. Good on ya, General.

[Adelante]

47. Ah, LC

A truly decent DUer and one of the best of Dems :pals:

I know you're otherwise committed, but if you ever want to come back to us, we'll pay you. :D

[tishaLA]

48. Signed

as usual, Wesley Clark offers the correct response to a corrupt administration.

[ArkySue]

49. Done!

And forwarded! :patriot:

[Tom Rinaldo]

50. If anyone needs a reminder of what we are up against

The freepers are enraged and spamming Clark's blog. Then again it could all be one person going off endlessly. Supposedly a change is in the works that will prevent anonymous freeping there in the future.

[Totally Committed]

53. The way I see it is...

Some person or group didn't like what Wes had to say very much, and they decided to spam his WesBlog.

Just shows that he's hitting too close to home for some. Go, Wes!

TC

[Adelante]

55. What a friggin mess they made of Wes's blog

The scumbags.

[Totally Committed]

57. That letter just upset some people...

and they didn't like it. So, they did what they always do... act like bullies. They're fixing it.

I love that Wes is driving them over the edge!

TC

[CarolNYC]

63. hehe

He must have struck one big fat nerve...and then again on Fox tonight. The freepers must be besides themselves...Go get 'em Gen Clark! :patriot:

[FourStarDemocrat]

51. Done. This is one investigation that must begin!

Thank you General Clark!

[Totally Committed]

54. Kick!

:kick:

TC

[Totally Committed]

56. Good news:

This story has made it to the front page of BuzzFlash!

At the moment, it is in the middle column of headlines, not too far down from the top...

TC

[ClarkUSA]

58. We should get as many signatures on this petition as possible

The fact that freepers are attacking Wes Blog is proof that it has hit a huge GOP nerve.

:toast:

[Totally Committed]

60. Exactly! (n/t)

TC

[Adelante]

66. Twice today

First time for the petition.

Second time for his Fox response to Bush's speech.

http://www.dembloggers.com/story/2005/6/28/193046/998

[ksclematis]

59. Another great idea by Wes Clark

It's a great petition....and I didn't hesitate for a minute to sign it.
Thanks for the post, TC

I hope the Democratic party realizes very soon what a "jewel" they have in Wesley Clark, and start letting it be known to "john Q public" how valuable he is in creating messages for the Party. He isn't asking for recognition, but certainly deserves it by the Party. The Dems should be calling on Wes Clark to help formulate and disseminate their message.

[TacticalPeek]

65. Kick.

:kick:

[Clarkie1]

67. signed and a big kick! n/t

[rfkrfk]

69. stopping Koran abuse, will be Clark's strongest issue in '08 n/t

[FrenchieCat]

71. I doubt it seriously.....

But maybe you were just kidding.

Otherwise, all I can say is What-E-ver!

My question to you.....did you sign....or is it just not "good" enough for you?

[eridani]

72. Signed from my email this morning

Very good at putting the blame where it belongs.

[Donna Zen]

73. So is bush for stopping abuse around the world?

It all starts with an investigation under his own rug.

Why are freepers so tortured over this petition? If bush is so innocent, then they should welcome every opportunity to showcase the magnanimous behavior of their leader.

This is the moment they have been waiting for: bush revealed. I think they fear bush reviled...yep.

[FourStarDemocrat]

76. Done. Signed from my email. Warner will be difficult to persuade though

He is such a Bush shill it's disgusting.