Brad DeLong's Semi-Daily Journal (2004)

Cambone was trying to do a parse of the difference between in charge of "the facility" and the people working within that facility. At least it looks like intelligent people didn't buy it. It was also pathetic to see a gutsy man in uniform being literally kept to one side by a suit.

Taguba comes across as just about the only true professional in the entire mess. Literally everbody else, from Meyer on down to the MPs, looks like a poor imitation of the real thing. The suits have always looked like a poor imitation under this administration. Very sad to see. What ever happened to this honor and integrity thing?

I.ve just posted twice, I'll shut up until I have taken some optimism pills.

From the Taguba report:

"That the Commander, 205th Military Intelligence Brigade, was designated by CJTF-7 as the Commander of FOB Abu Ghraib (BCCF) effective 19 November 2003. That the 205th MI Brigade conducts operational and strategic interrogations for CJTF-7. That from 19 November 2003 until Transfer of Authority (TOA) on 6 February 2004, COL Thomas M. Pappas was the Commander of the 205th MI Brigade and the Commander of FOB Abu Ghraib (BCCF)."

Translation. Pappas was replaced on 4 Feb of this year.

Sorry Pappas was replaced on 6 Feb, 2004. That is shortly after the investigation was initiated.

And when are they going to indict Mr. Cambone for perjury? I am appalled that these guys seem to have no compunction against lying to the Senate about their departments' actions in a critical matter. (And yet, Clinton obfuscating about a fling got him impeached.)

And why did they send a 2 star (Taguba) to investigate only the MPs, not MI actions as well? Also a 2 star can't investigate up the chain if it goes higher than his rank, so Karpinski and Pappas are the only two he can finger. Not Fast (over MI) or Sanchez, and certainly not Abizain.

It seems to me like this whole investigation was limited to the point that, by definition, Taguba could only find a problem with Karpinski's command. Reports say that even mentioning Pappas pushed the report outside of its scope.

Smells fishy to me.

When I noticed that Gen. Fast is a two-star,I immediately thought that the inclusion of Col. Pappas was a clue that MI is worth a more detailed look by someone with the authority to do so (e.g.,Sen. Warner's committee).

The only dismissable violation in this administration is contradicting policy.

Just once, someone has to say, "you fucked up, you're fired". War, medicare, 911, Intel, WOT, tax cuts, missile defense, whatever. No accountability, only excuses and scapegoats.

From Jasons (an officer) blog,
"Background: MG Taguba, the officer who directed the 15-6 investigation into the alleged abuses, is a two-star general. 15-6 investigation regulations require that the investigating officer be senior in rank to the respondent, except where the appointing officer makes a specific decision that such an arrangement is not militarily practicable.

So unless Taguba received a specific OK from his boss to follow the investigation up the chain, his investigative authority stops at Brigadier General Janice Karpinski's level--a one-star general.

So even if the the three-star CTJF-7 commander did share the blame for the abuses--I mean, beyond the garden-variety "it happened under his watch" command responsibility blame--it does not automatically follow that his investigation would extend to that level. It would have been beyond the scope of the investigation."

Ccobb says smells fishy? I´d say this stinks, stinks, stinks...

Jasons blog is at http://www.iraqnow.blogspot.com/

Nice site. Keep up the good work.

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