In need of help - military experts especially

(Edited to correct math error: January to March is two months, not three))

I saw this in the Fay report on the abuses in Iraq.


"During the 4-8 January 2004 visit, the ICRC expressed special concern over being informed bo COL Pappas and COL Warren that they were invoking Article 143 of Geneva Convention IV, thereby denying the ICRC access to eight of the detainees in the interrogation section. Of particular interest was the status fo detainee DETAINEE-14, Syrian national and self-proclaimed Jihadist, who was in Iraq to kill coalition troops. DETAINEE-14 was detained in a totally darkened cell measuring about 2 meters long and less than a meter across, devoid of any window, latrine or water tap, or bedding. On the door the ICRC delegates noticed the inscription "the Gollum" and a picture of the said character from the film trilogy "Lord of the Rings". During the 14-18 March 2004 visit, the ICRC was once again denied access to nine detainees, including DETAINEE-14".

Is "totally darkened cell measuring about 2 meters long and less than a meter across, devoid of any window, latrine or water tap, or bedding" some kind of military code for something else? Something that at least *approaches* the least humane detention facilities a civilized country would imagine using?

I mean, or, am I missing something? *WHAT*? What the *HELL* am I missing?

Am I correctly reading that in July of 2004, it was stated, by the army, for the record, that we put a man - I don't care *WHO* he is or *WHAT* he did - in a cell like that?

Does "detained" maybe refer to a situation where he was held there for an exceptionally short period of time? And, they, like, put up the picture and the inscription really, really quickly?

It states that DETAINEE-14 was moved in the intervening time, I hope to something that counts as, you know, a cell, rather than a friggin' oversized coffin... but the intervening time is over two months!

July of 2004, this was known, this was out there, and this is not even listed as one of the abuses?

I mean, it was pure luck that I picked up my printout of the Fay report, and saw this. I haven't read through to this part yet. Maybe there's some explanation in small words that are easy for my liberal brain to understand, but what the *FUCK* is going on here?

And on top of this, Colonel Pappas gets an $8000 fine and a stern letter of reprimand, for approving the use of dogs and dereliction of duty, and that's *IT*?

*AND* President "Terrorists have no rights" Bush gets re-elected, with people citing *VALUES* as a major reason?

Somebody, please... explain this to me.

In need of help - military experts especially

(Edited to correct math error: January to March is two months, not three))

I saw this in the Fay report on the abuses in Iraq.


"During the 4-8 January 2004 visit, the ICRC expressed special concern over being informed bo COL Pappas and COL Warren that they were invoking Article 143 of Geneva Convention IV, thereby denying the ICRC access to eight of the detainees in the interrogation section. Of particular interest was the status fo detainee DETAINEE-14, Syrian national and self-proclaimed Jihadist, who was in Iraq to kill coalition troops. DETAINEE-14 was detained in a totally darkened cell measuring about 2 meters long and less than a meter across, devoid of any window, latrine or water tap, or bedding. On the door the ICRC delegates noticed the inscription "the Gollum" and a picture of the said character from the film trilogy "Lord of the Rings". During the 14-18 March 2004 visit, the ICRC was once again denied access to nine detainees, including DETAINEE-14".

Is "totally darkened cell measuring about 2 meters long and less than a meter across, devoid of any window, latrine or water tap, or bedding" some kind of military code for something else? Something that at least *approaches* the least humane detention facilities a civilized country would imagine using?

I mean, or, am I missing something? *WHAT*? What the *HELL* am I missing?

Am I correctly reading that in July of 2004, it was stated, by the army, for the record, that we put a man - I don't care *WHO* he is or *WHAT* he did - in a cell like that?

Does "detained" maybe refer to a situation where he was held there for an exceptionally short period of time? And, they, like, put up the picture and the inscription really, really quickly?

It states that DETAINEE-14 was moved in the intervening time, I hope to something that counts as, you know, a cell, rather than a friggin' oversized coffin... but the intervening time is over two months!

July of 2004, this was known, this was out there, and this is not even listed as one of the abuses?

I mean, it was pure luck that I picked up my printout of the Fay report, and saw this. I haven't read through to this part yet. Maybe there's some explanation in small words that are easy for my liberal brain to understand, but what the *FUCK* is going on here?

And on top of this, Colonel Pappas gets an $8000 fine and a stern letter of reprimand, for approving the use of dogs and dereliction of duty, and that's *IT*?

*AND* President "Terrorists have no rights" Bush gets re-elected, with people citing *VALUES* as a major reason?

Somebody, please... explain this to me.