Bush Feels 'Deep Disgust' at Abuse of Iraqis

AP, via NewsMax ^ | April 30, 2004

[bin2baghdad]

NewsMax.com Wires Friday, WASHINGTON – President Bush has condemned the apparent mistreatment of some Iraqi prisoners. "Their treatment does not reflect the nature of the American people. That's not the way we do things in America. I didn't like it one bit." He was asked about photos showing Iraqi prisoners naked except for hoods covering their heads, stacked in a human pyramid, one with a slur written in English on his skin. That and other scenes of humiliation have led to criminal charges against six American soldiers. Arab television stations were leading their newscasts on Friday with the photos.

"I share a deep disgust that those prisoners were treated the way they were treated," Bush said.

There are 138,000 U.S. troops in Iraq and 24,900 troops from coalition countries.

Bush made his comments in the White House Rose Garden after a meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin.

[bin2baghdad]

These soldiers disgraced the uniform. Nothing good can come from these actions. These crimes threaten everything we've accomplished so far, and everything we hope to accomplish. If we ultimately fail, I hope these guys carry that failure with them for the rest of their lives and remember that they helped render vain the many sacrifices of life and limb. They claim that they never received training in the Geneva Convention. What kind of training do you need to know that you shouldn't strip people naked and force them to simulate sex acts at gunpoint. Forward their mail to the Disciplinary Barracks at Fort Leavenworth. The good name of every soldier will be soiled by these I am outraged.

[goldstategop]

Awww... sure, a handful of abuses is justification to attack the war and the entire U.S military. No word "alleged" here. To liberals, you're already guilty by presumption of serving in our country's armed forces.

[anniegetyourgun]

I join you and the Prez in that outrage. This is just the thing the enemy will use in their propaganda war.

BTW, it comes dangerously close to the type of thing John Kerry admitted to doing in VN, along with the other soldiers he accused of war crimes....

[churchillbuff]

To liberals, you're already guilty by presumption of serving in our country's armed forces.

What do you mean, "liberals"? It's BUSH who is the subject of this article. It's BUSH who expressed "disgust." So BUSH is now a liberal?

[cynicom]

Leavenworth??? I did not see any comments as to actual physical torture. If so lets see those pictures. Cashier them along with their CO out of the service. Prison time would serve no purpose.

[Blackace]

here here

[goldstategop]

I'm sure everything the CBS show said was the gospel truth huh? I'm as disgusted as you if all this is verified and those responsible need to be brought to account but the truth is I don't think 60 Minutes II ran the piece out of patriotic duty to this country. The elites don't like those who serve in uniform even when they have done nothing wrong and when some have disgraced the uniform, to them that bolsters their loathing of all things military. Just my 2 cents here.

[newgeezer]

If such treatment gets the b*st*rds to reveal some useful information, and it stops sufficiently short of actual torture, I'm all for it.

Unfortunately, cameras were present, and some of the soldiers as well as the chicks appeared to be having too much fun.

[No Blue States]

One has to wonder whats true, the world has been tricked before by the palestinians and a wounded boy I think it was. Totally fabricated.

I also wonder if any politics are involved.

But if its really legit, I share in the disgust and think punishment should be severe, if for nothing else just hurting our armed forces reputation and providing invaluable enemy propaganda.

[ambrose]

BTW, it comes dangerously close to the type of thing John Kerry admitted to doing in VN, along with the other soldiers he accused of war crimes....

Yes and no. I don't think there is any evidence that these soldiers chopped off the prisoners' body parts, as Kerry discussed in his congressional testimony.

[paleocon patriarch]

No word "alleged" here.

Photographs are Prima Facie evidence. These sick puppies that have disgraced the uniform need to be put away deep, along with their neglegent officers.

[goldstategop]

I just don't trust the media. You never know if this one isn't another "Tailwind" scam.

[anniegetyourgun]

I know....just drawing a straight line for all to see...how much WORSE Kerry's admitted offenses really are.

[bin2baghdad]

The crimes with with these soldiers can be charged indeed could bring conviction at Court Martial and confinement. The soldiers, of course, are indeed legally presumed innocent. That said, real war criminals should be prosecuted and punished. Not to do so is contrary to good order and discipline and injurious to the strategic goals of the United States. The honor of every soldier who is laying his/her butt on the line to do the right thing demands it.

[k2blader]

Assuming this sick stuff really happened, President Bush is right, and I should hope every self-respecting conservative feels the same.

BTW, why discipline rather than discharge?

[ambrose]

Totally agree with you.

I don't want to become like a Muslim fanatic! There are a frightening number of Freepers who seem to be suggesting that it is okay to engage in barbarism, as the Muslims do that to us.

We are not fighting a war against barbarism just to become like the barbarians we are fighting!

[evad]

Yes and no. I don't think there is any evidence that these soldiers chopped off the prisoners' body parts, as Kerry discussed in his congressional testimony.

Yeah..and the only thing we really know about the VN accusation is that JF'nKerry IS guilty by his own admission...if we can believe him about anything.

[TheGunny]

What they did violated the Law of War! They have not only disgraced the uniform and the country, but have set our cause back immeasurably. They will indeed spend some time behind bars.

[goldstategop]

I guess you've never heard of photoshop and reporting stuff out of context? I'm not saying they're innocent if they did it but like with CNN a few years back, the media seems to have a bent to find stuff to make our military look bad. And there is a presumption among liberals we're behaving like nazis over there, our troops don't deserve support, and the Iraqi resistance needs to be encouraged. You know for people who usually defend every vile act in existence, the one group of killers the Left loathes are those who happen to be serving their country. They're presumed guilty until proven innocent.