Huff Post: Bush Admin Ignored Military's Strong Oppositon to Torture

[Captain Hilts]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/04/22/bush-administration-ignor_n_190129.html

...

The idea that torture is illegal, unethical and ineffective is well established in military circles. When elements of the military saw the interrogation plan being crafted by the White House, serious objections were raised. Those objections will be key to any prosecutions because they demonstrate that the White House should have been aware that what they were proposing was against the law.

The architects of the torture program, however, seem aware of the power of those dissenting views and, according to the Senate report, repeatedly denied receiving them.

Then-Captain and now-Rear Admiral Jane Dalton, for instance, told the committee that her staff discussed the military's concerns with DoD General Counsel Jim Haynes, one of the architects of the program, and that he was aware of the military's objections. Haynes, meanwhile, testified that he didn't know that the military was opposed and had written memos to that effect. He later qualified that denial to say he wasn't "sure" that he hadn't been made aware. His deputy, Eliana Davidson, also told him his torture project "needed further assessment," but Haynes, again, said he didn't recall Davidson telling him that.

As early as November 2002, the military was pushing back. The Air Force cited "serious concerns regarding the legality of many of the proposed techniques" because they "may be subject to challenge as failing to meet the requirements outlined in the military order to treat detainees humanely."

...

[ixion]

1. I don't know... judging by the pics from Abu Gharib, they didn't seem to mind at all

in fact, they looked like they were having a grand ol' time torturing and killing Iraqis.

[Captain Hilts]

2. That was not 'the military'.

In fact, most were reservists from the western part of Maryland.

Certainly doesn't excuse it, but folks I know stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan were totally pissed over what those jerks were doing and wanted them punished promptly.

[HereSince1628]

3. Sorry, the reserve (and the Nat'l Guard) ARE military.

Sure you can call them unprofessional dumbass weekend warriors, and disparage them as men and women who thought Camo was a fashion alternative to Goth. But, the Bush Admin activated them. They ARE the military we had and continue to have (though, maybe not the military we want).

That other military recognized the behavior at Abu Graib is evidence that other (hopefully most?) members of the military understood the Geneva Conventions and had an inkling of what "torture" might look like.

But you just can't remove these active duty, fatigue wearing slobs from the military.

[Captain Hilts]

4. A VERY small part of a much larger whole. nt

[ixion]

5. unfortunately, that doesn't matter...

it was military, and it was done in our name, and with our money.

As the world sees it, we commissioned these atrocities.

[HereSince1628]

7. I'd say a significant and essential part of the whole. Which is why 54 year olds are called back

to serve in Iraq.

I understand the need for psychic separation.

As a member of an Army Intelligence unit during Vietnam, I disliked being linked to the "stupid" grunts that most people thought members of the Army were. Fact is, whether conscripts or volunteers, we all served in the same fucking army. Wiggle as much as we could, there was no denying that basic reality. The current military is in the same place with Guards and Reservists. You are inextricably linked together in your service.

[EFerrari]

6. At least some of the interrogators these kids were

"softening up" prisoners for were MI, not OGA.

The headline is sort of misleading. SOME military did push back; some jumped right on board.

[No More Bushbots]

8. The Thumbs Up