Wednesday, January 19, 2005

Better Off Pleading Guilty

A sense of humor always withers in the presence of the messianic delusion, like justice and truth in front of patriotic passion.
H. L. Mencken (1880 - 1956), journalist, critic, and editor

Having just read the defense’s opening remark, it should come as no real surprise that on Jan. 14, 2005, a jury found Spc. Charles Graner guilty of nine out of 10 counts stemming from his abuse of prisoners at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq.

The analogy used by Graner’s attorney in his opening remark: “Don’t Cheerleaders all over America form pyramids six to eight times a year? Is that torture? Our response is, only for the fans who are stuck in the stands watching naked women pile on each other. What the hell opening defense was that?

Charges Against Graner under the Uniform Code of Military Justice alleged conspiracy to maltreat detainees; dereliction of duty for willfully failing to protect detainees from abuse, cruelty and maltreatment; maltreatment of detainees; assaulting detainees; committing indecent acts; adultery; and obstruction of justice.

We suspect his charges will be quietly reduced and eventually dropped. Let's not forget that Lt. William Calley was found guilty of premeditated murder of 22 of the villagers of My Lai. In the end, Calley served only days in Fort Leavenworth, before being transferred back to Fort Benning, where he was placed under house arrest. His sentence was repeatedly reduced. Finally, he was pardoned by President Nixon. He was paroled in November, 1974.

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