Centerfield

New Tortures at Guantanamo

A week ago, in response to allegations made by a former Guantanamo Bay detainee, the idea was jokingly floated about supplying some video cameras to soldiers at Guantanamo Bay’s detention center in order to catch proof of prisoner abuse. Well, it seems someone has done just that. These videos, some of which show gratuitous abuse of prisoners, help build the case that torture is not unique to Baghdad.

Some soldiers in the videos are seen punching detainees and striking pressure points – all within the boundaries of subduing a riled up prisoner, officials said. However, It’s going to be hard for them to justify strapping a detainee to a gurney, something not unlike situations in Abu Ghraib, in order to interrogate him.

Or what about this gem: “A separate clip captured a platoon leader taunting a detainee with pepper spray and repeatedly spraying him before letting the reaction team enter the cell.” Is that standard procedure for controlling detainees? Does it not cross some line where withholding help in order to taunt and harass no longer stands as “protocol?”

What some called a ploy to sell books, what some called hyping up the situation in order to boost sales, is slowly being revealed. The soldiers at Guantanamo, the Defense Department and other areas of government are already in damage control. They have released memos, as cited in the most recent article, circulating “talking points” to diminish the credibility of the videos and the people who speak out against such abuses. Clearly, the Defense Department will step over anyone to save its own hide.

Now the focus must move from Guantanamo Bay, where these videos have clearly displayed the rot within the ranks, to Capitol Hill, where Alberto Gonzales is prepared to take on the role of Attorney General. These videos strengthen the case against Gonzales and show that his cavalier attitude towards endorsing torture as the policy of the United States has had a horrible effect on the soldiers within our ranks and the enemies we have captured.

That would be a solid question for Alberto Gonzales: what do you think about the Guantanamo Bay tapes? Do you take full responsibility for the actions of our soldiers, given that you advocated the tactics they now use? It’s not water boarding, I know, but certainly keeping help away while covering someone in pepper spray would cause some minimal amount of discomfort. Well, Mr. Gonzales?

This should not stand, and neither should he.

Brought to you by The New Democrat