Thursday, May 06, 2004
Debunking England's Excuse
Taken from an article about the prison abuse scandal:
"Goin said England and the six soldiers who have been charged are 'scapegoats -- that's what they're being used for.'
England was trained to be a 'paper pusher' who helped process prisoners at the Abu Ghraib prison near Baghdad, said Goin and England's brother-in-law James Klinestiver. She was in the area where the photos were taken to visit friends in the 372nd who served as guards, the two said.
Goin and Klinestiver said the family is furious with the comments of President Bush, who said he was 'disgusted' by the photographs.
'He doesn't know what these guys are going through,' Klinestiver said. Referring to Bush's limited National Guard service during the Vietnam War, he added, 'How can you make decisions for our military unless you've served yourself?'"
Firstly, they are not being used as scapegoats, they are being prosecuted for taking photographs with the prisoners while they are being humiliated and smiling about it. Did England protest her fellow soldier's actions. Did she try and alert a superior, or make them stop? No. Instead, she posed for photographs. When one stands by and does nothing, one becomes as guilty to the act as if she committed it herself.
And I am sorry, but it is the President's job to make decisions for the military on a day-to-day basis. It's called being Commander In Chief. I don't think military service is a prerequisite to know right from wrong, and to understand the concept of fair treatment and decency.
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