Month: May 2004

102 WORLD POLICY JOURNAL ° SPRING 2004 David C. Hendrickson is professor of political science at Colorado College. He is the author, most recently, of Peace Pact: The Lost World of the American Founding. A Dissenter’s Guide to Foreign Policy David C. Hendrickson America Unbound: The Bush Revolution in Foreign Policy Ivo H. Daalder and … Continue reading “A Dissenter’s Guide to Foreign Policy”

By HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH Allegations of torture and mistreatment of detainees by U.S. forces in Iraq do not involve isolated cases, but are part of a broader pattern of what the Army’s own investigation into the matter called "systemic abuse." Concerns about mistreatment of detainees in Iraq, Afghanistan, and in other undisclosed detention facilities set … Continue reading “A Timeline of Torture & Abuse Allegations and Responses”

“Banned” methods of prisoner interrogation were approved at the highest levels of US command. Methods authorized include so-called pain-inducing “stress positions” in which detainees are bound to stand or squat until they are unable to comply, or until they break. The use of these techniques was confirmed in a press conference at the Pentagon. Although … Continue reading “New General, Old Methods at Iraq Prisons”

According to a joke circulating in Washington political circles, former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein’s notorious torture chamber in the Abu Ghraib prison in Baghdad – once held up as a symbol of barbarity – was never shut down. A signboard outside the prison chamber now reads: “Under New Management.” US management, that is. The extent … Continue reading “Iraq Scandal Opens US to Charges of Double Standards”

The Bush administration keeps talking about bringing democracy to the Middle East, but a key element in democracy is always the accountability of public officials to the public. That is why we have elections, that is why we have a division of powers, that is why Congress can impeach the executive and the Supreme Court … Continue reading “The Mideastization of the US, or: Rumsfeld Must Resign”

Surprise surprise: having said for almost four decades that no Jewish settlement should ever be dismantled, Sharon’s plan to dismantle Jewish settlements in Gaza was rejected by his own Likud party members. You can fool all the people all the time – but don’t sell them a new folly every week. Sharon was defeated by … Continue reading “Heads We Win, Tails They Lose”

It’s ironic that at a time when the whole world is disgusted by pictures of Iraqi prisoners being abused by thugs and sluts in American uniforms, an American doctor in Germany reports that Thomas Hamill was reasonably well-treated by his Iraqi kidnappers. A bullet wound received at the time of Hamill’s capture had been treated … Continue reading “Ironic Difference”

Pledge Week I went ahead and made a contribution to your site today. I consider myself a sort of libertarian democrat, typical of many people here in Silicon Valley, and there are times I don’t agree with with all the points of view on your site, but I do appreciate the work you all do. … Continue reading “”

The House Armed Services Committee held a hearing on the the treatment of Iraqi Prisoners Friday. The transcript follows: COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.) Chairman Rep. Curt Weldon (R-Pa.) Rep. Joel Hefley (R-Colo.) Rep. Jim Saxton (R-N.J.) Rep. John M. Mchugh (R-N.Y.) Rep. Terry Everett (R-Ala.) Rep. Roscoe G. Bartlett (R-Md.) Rep. Howard P. … Continue reading “Rumsfeld Testifies Before House Armed Services Committee”

Sen. John W. Warner (R-Va). Chairman Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) Sen. James M. Inhofe (R-Okla.) Sen. Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) Sen. Wayne Allard (R-Colo.) Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) Sen. Susuan M. Collins (R-Maine) Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.) Sen. Jim Talent (R-Mo.) Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.) Sen. Lindsey O. Graham (R-S.C.) Sen. Elizabeth Dole (R-N.C.) Sen. John … Continue reading “Rumsfeld Speaks to Senate Armed Services Committee”