That was said with a straight face more than two years after the Abu Ghraib scandal broke, which repeatedly flashed the corpse of Manadel al-Jamadi packed in ice as the backdrop of two proud U.S. Army Specialists with their two thumbs up, way up!
According to the coroner’s report, al-Jamadi had been beaten, crucified and suffered broken ribs which ultimately led to his cause of death by suffocation. Of course, in a country that “doesn't torture” it only stands to reason that crucifiction is now officially “safe!” The administration's defense in the scandal was to chalk it up to “just a few bad apples.” This explanation obviously omitted the fact that the fruit of the executive branch was the first to contaminate the barrel -- providing enhanced interrogation manuals and professional advise to their offspring who were trained and ordered to rot.
As is common in the biggest “mistakes” in United States history (most of which have happened in the past seven and a half years), the platoon of Navy SEALS who were told to abuse prisoners including al-Jamadi, received administrative punishment while their commanding officer, Lieutenant Andrew Kedford, was acquitted of all charges including assault, dereliction of duty, and conduct unbecoming an officer. Likewise, Mark Swanner, the CIA interrogator of al-Jamadi faced no charges and Thomas Pappas, the most senior officer present was granted immunity.
“Since [September 11th, the war on terror] changed, I think, from a war for the country’s security, to a battle for the country’s soul. And we have to really think about whether or not this is what kind of country we want to be.” said Jane Mayer, author of The Dark Side: The Inside Story of How the War on Terror Turned Into a War on American Ideals.
Mayer said the title was inspired by a comment aired on Meet the Press shortly after the September 11th attacks:
"We have to work the dark side, if you will. We’re going to spend time in the shadows in the intelligence world. A lot of what needs to be done here will have to be done quietly, without any discussion, using sources and methods that are available to our intelligence agencies."
Vice President Dick Cheney
Unfortunately, a US court has recognized the torture of al-Marri here on American soil was legal. This ruling gives the “decider” sweeping powers to deny anyone — citizens as well as non-citizens —basic human rights and empowers our government to send any of us forever into ... the dark side.
Al-Marri's lawyers will appeal the decision to the Supreme Court where Justices will review the Supreme Law of the Land. It will then be up to "no fewer than [seven] officers" to determine whether people like Will, You, Marri [and] me can actually have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
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