Gen. Taguba: Accountability for torture does not stop at White House dooor

[ensho]

http://media.www.hlrecord.org/media/storage/paper609/news/2009/04/16/News/Gen-Taguba.Accountability.For.Torture.Does.Not.Stop.At.White.House.Dooor-3712773.shtml


Major General Antonio Taguba called for an independent commission to investigate war crimes committed by senior members of the Bush Administration in remarks in Ames Courtroom on Tuesday, April 14. The event was sponsored by Physicians for Human Rights and the Human Rights Program at Harvard Law School.

Taguba, who was pressured to resign by the Bush Administration in 2007 following the 2004 leak of his report detailing abuses by U.S. armed forces in Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq, declared in the preface of the 2008 Physicians for Human Rights publication "Broken Laws, Broken Lives," that, "there is no longer any doubt as to whether the administration has committed war crimes. The only question that remains to be answered is whether those who ordered the use of torture will be held to account."

While the Obama Administration has "reaffirmed its commitment to valuing human rights and international law" by officially closing CIA black sites and the detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Taguba insisted that "there are a lot of stories that have yet to be told."

In an effort to make those stories known, Taguba has been travelling the country seeking to foster dialogue between human rights advocates and the nation's armed forces. According to Taguba, the two groups "share a common denominator based on ethical considerations of democratic principles." Human rights advocates seek to ensure the preservation of democratic ideals and U.S. armed forces are trained to "provide services in a manner that exemplifies America's ideals" and to protect America's value system and its' way of life, not simply to secure its borders at all costs.

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Ultimately, Taguba concluded, investigation of the Bush Administration is needed if "accountability is not to be just a hollow term." "In my opinion accountability is a condition of employment. Government leaders who chose to accept high level positions of influence ought to hold firm and be accountable."
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[seemslikeadream]

1. This morning I wake with hope and faith

[seemslikeadream]

2. This morning I wake with hope and faith

so nice I say it twice ;)

[beac]

3. BRAVO, General Taguba!

This man has integrity and credibility to spare and he's bravely put himself out there once again. Bravo!

[malaise]

4. Get thee to the greatest page

Major General Antonio Taguba! You deserve a medal of honor.

[stillcool]

5. no doubt 'there are a lot of stories...

yet to be told'. These memos are incredible. I noticed several times it was stated that the President did not condone the use of torture. That was interesting. Also the mention several times of torture being defined by the Congress as within the United States. So much repetition of the definition of physical or mental pain, and the 'intent' of the torturer. I can't help but wonder what Cheney's position on the closing of Gitmo has to do with this.

[angstlessk]

6. he is just a disgruntled former employee of the miltary!!1! that means

he wants 'retribution' not 'reconciliation'....right? just a lefty liberal is all the general is right? :shrug:

[Solly Mack]

7. K&R

[pleah]

8. K&R

[flyarm]

9. Thank you from my heart Gen. Taguba..no Excuse for Torture!

Obama has no right to give immunity to war criminals! NONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!