A couple of errors need to be pointed out.

R- Specifically, since it took office the Bush Administration has expressed nothing but contempt for international law and institutions. It vehemently opposes the International Criminal Court,

J - Opinion. . .
While the first part may be opinion, it certainly has a basis in fact. the second part is pure unadulterated fact.

R - The Bush Administration has nothing but disdain for world opinion;

J- Opinion. . .

Yes, opinion. But do you have any facts to deny the opinion?

R - The attitudes expressed by the leadership become the working philosophy of the troops.

J - More Of Roberts Opinion. . .

Opinion, based in fact. How could it not be? If the admin says the Geneva Convention does not apply (see below), what kind of message does this put in the mind of the soldiers and civilians i/c of the prisoners?

anyhoo, the most egregious error now.....
R - During the Afghanistan war the Bush Administration claimed that the Geneva Convention didn't apply to POWs, both combatant and noncombatant, and that saying they did was merely quibbling over technicalities. They've made similar claims about the Afghanistan prisoners being held at Guantonamo Bay. Those policy pronouncements were translated into action at Abu Ghraib prison.

J - no, you want them to be POWs, eventhough they are unlawful combatants, clearly defined by the geneva convention. . . so this is just plain wrong.


Robert is not the one who is wrong here.

From HRW

The protection and treatment of captured combatants during an international armed conflict is detailed in the Third Geneva Convention relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War, which defines prisoners of war (POWs) and enumerates the protections of POW status. Persons not entitled to POW status, including so-called "unlawful combatants," are entitled to the protections provided under the Fourth Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War. All detainees fall somewhere within the protections of these two Conventions; according to the authoritative Commentary to the Geneva Conventions of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC): "nobody in enemy hands can fall outside the law."

There are other international legal instruments outside the Geneva Conventions that also affect the treatment of persons during armed conflict -- and after the conflict. While some human rights standards can be derogated or limited during times of war or national emergency, other human rights standards continue to apply in full force at all times. Instruments relevant to the treatment of persons deprived of their liberty detainees include Torture and other ill-treatment of detainees is prohibited as a matter of customary law and treaty. Article 7 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and which the United States ratified in 1992, provides that "No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment." Also in force at all times is the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishmentand the UN Standard Minimum Rules on the Treatment of Prisonersto which the United States became a party in 1994.

In other words, they are covered.........

R - The Bush Administration willfully disregarded projections of troop and material resources required in Iraq that we now know to have been correct.

So we don't need all those extras that are being put in place after all? Move over Rummy, Justin can do better! The extra resources that were requested from the start but disregarded (wilfully is opinion, the rest is not)?

J - usual anti-leftie claptrap rant.............
No comment ;-)