Bush demotes Army general in Abu Ghraib scandal (Karpinski finally fired formally)

Reuters ^ | May 5, 2005 | Will Dunham

[No Longer Free State]

It's about time. If anyone should have known what was going on in Abu Ghraib and been in a position to do something about it, it was Karpinski. Any general officer whose defense is that she wasn't allowed to know what was going on in her own facility isn't worth the roughly $10 her body would bring if rendered down to its component elements. We have more generals now than we did during the peak of WWII because we put generals in charge of sensitive programs and projects to bring age and wisdom to them. She clearly failed to do her duty to her subordinates who she failed by not overseeing their activities, and to her superiors who she failed by not providing them an accurate picture of what was going on in her are of responsibilty.

[JulieRNR21]

Long overdue.......BUMP

[zzen01]

Worthless Clintoon Female Dog!

[Prince Caspian]

Affirmative action in action.

[dts32041]

The question when do they put her in a room with a pistol a round.

This person brings disgrace on MP general officers Like Evelyn P. Foote and others.

Scum should be put in a cell in a 68 Oldsmobile driven by teddy the swimmer.

[PhilDragoo]

Getting the Sara Lister aura and penumbra, the phantom of Clintonoids past rattling chains.

[El Gato]

but most of the discipline was administrative punishment such as a formal letter of reprimand or a discharge from the military, the Army said.

And that is entirely appropriate. Not doing your job properly is not a crime, but may be a subject for disciplinary action. Anyone who actually knew what was going on, and didn't either stop it or report it up the chain of command, is an accessory to the crime, if crime there be of course, and is subject to criminal penalties.

The General Colonel failed to do her job properly. Pfc. Lynndie England's sperm donor committed a crime by ordering those under him to commit one. (Again, if crime there be). The underlings who obeyed those orders probably committed a crime also, but if it was not completely clear that it was a crime, then they were only guilty of ignorance, because enlisted personnel must obey orders unless they know them to be illegal.

[zarf]

The Army officer corps is full of careerist political hacks.

[wagglebee]

Karpinski said last year she was being used as a "convenient scapegoat" for detainee abuse that was the fault of others.

In the military, just as in business, when a serious crime occurs, the person at the top NEEDS to lose their job. This is not being made "scapegoat", it is being made to be accountable for one's lack of ability in doing the task they were entrusted for.

[longtermmemmory]

Does anyone know if this affects her pension? I remember somebody posting that a military person is able to petition to have the pension restored to the higher rank after a set period after retirement.

[SausageDog]

I have a better solution. Once the Iraqi government stabilizes, send her to Iraq and let the Iraqis try her.

[No Longer Free State]

PIng for your list

[No Longer Free State]

fyi

[gov_bean_ counter]

Granted I only have 15 years civilian service at a couple different military installations, but I haven't had much use for folks higher than Lt. Col. I haven't met a Colonel. or higher who wasn't a political animal in the extreme. Certainly on the field of battle things are different, but administratively they stink.

[Former Military Chick]

Hey friends, MAJOR PING!

Beloved (No Longer Free State) posted this and frankly it is difficult for me to top his remarks in comment one. What really outrages me (and my beloved) about this wench, that she shop lifted and it fell between the cracks. How dare she remain in the military after deceiving the military.

For those who only look into the military via articles or threads like this one, if a young enlisted person were to shoplift, write a bad check they will be offered a deal with the stipulation that you keep your nose clean. If an Officer does the same, it is go to prison, do not collect 200.00 smacharooos!

I really REALLY am angry about the developments given in this interview. Her previous behavior should have impacted the punishment given.

While the demotion is fitting punishment I would wager a bet that she will be first interviewed by a left leaning overseas publication. Up until now she has only offered a few stateside interviews and they to were left leaning publications.

-FMC **Outraged in the Heartland**

[Former Military Chick]

All ready done! Excellent comment, beloved. But, oh am I steaming over the shoplifting conviction.

It was nominal, but, as you have worked with soldier's who go down that wrong path, for most who would like another chance to remain in the military they must prove themselves, the idea that she was a leader and omitted this from the military really ticks me off.

[Malesherbes]

And shop-lifting too! She should have been busted to private.

[Malesherbes]

And shop-lifting too! She should have been busted to private.

[Calusa]

a misdemeanor charge of stealing less than $50 worth of cosmetics from a military store.

Pathetic, a US general, this is what the late great U.S. military has come to. Whaddaya expect when you water down the standards in order to maintain the farce of women in the military. Oh, sure it's great to drool over a GI with fine Jugs mudwrestling on MTV. But let's get real: women do not belong in combat. I think Iraq has shown that time after itme.