Unbelievable

There's just no way to spin this story in a positive way, although it's a lesson in self-censorship when looking at the difference between US and world headlines.

For instance, stories out of Australia and England point out that there is, at the very least, an implication that abuse of prisoners was condoned--even ordered--at the highest levels. The New York Times, on the other hand, practices high level diplomacy, as does the Washington Post.

To be honest, I don't think Bush himself would be SO dumb that he'd sign some sort of paper, although it's certainly possible--nothing surprises me when it comes to the sheer level of venal corruption in Team Bush. However, SOMEONE at a high enough level is likely to have ordered the lunatic tactics used on detainees. The degree to which basic human rights were/are being violated is not something that results from decisions made at low or mid levels. So...who DID sign off?

My guesses are Rummy, Wolfie, and perhaps someone like Feith. My gut instinct tells me that Dubya was likely informed and nodded his assent--Cheney probably told him--but an actual paper trail will be difficult to come by. The fact that the ACLU even HAS a credible email indicating some sort of executive order exists is extraordinary...but I'll bet if there was a written order of some kind, it met the same fate as the Bush cocaine arrest record, etc. etc.

Still, paper trail or not--how DUMB can you be? Abuse of prisoners accomplishes NOTHING that could be considered positive. Nothing. Even if you reduce this to the absolute lowest common denominator--that the abusers get a jolly good kick of revenge/adrenaline out of it--well, then I think it's time to get these folks out of the interrogation/incarceration business. Because that's simply sick.

And anyone who honestly believes that tactical or strategic benefit, i.e, useful intelligence, will come out of abuse and torture of detainees simply doesn't know what they're talking about.

This is bad. And, in light of the latest news coming out of "liberated" Iraq...well, when you hand your car keys to a drunk, don't be surprised if he wrecks it.