This chonology probably couldn’t be more damning. And how strange that the phrase “rape rooms” is used repeatedly, yet it doesn’t seem to have entered the public consciousness – although it has entered the blogosphere.
Maybe it’s entered the public subconsciousness (or unconsciousness, in the case of the fr33pers), and that’s all that’s needed. There couldn’t possibly be rape rooms in Iraq anymore (and of course there were before, right?) because we’ve been repeatedly told there aren’t.
A fifty-three-page report, obtained by The New Yorker, written by Major General Antonio M. Taguba listed some of the wrongdoing: ‘Breaking chemical lights and pouring the phosphoric liquid on detainees; pouring cold water on naked detainees; beating detainees with a broom handle and a chair; threatening male detainees with rape; allowing a military police guard to stitch the wound of a detainee who was injured after being slammed against the wall in his cell; sodomizing a detainee with a chemical light and perhaps a broom stick, and using military working dogs to frighten and intimidate detainees with threats of attack, and in one instance actually biting a detainee.’ – Seymour M. Hersh, Torture at Abu Ghraib, The New Yorker, posted April 30, 2004
“Because we acted, torture rooms are closed, rape rooms no longer exist, mass graves are no longer a possibility in Iraq.” – remarks at “Ask President Bush” event, Michigan, May 3, 2004
On my Friday evening commute, I heard the following intro while listening to :NPR business show “Marketplace.” The audio of the full story that follows is available on the link.
Marketplace has learned that an employee of the San Diego based Titan corporation has been implicated in the rape of a teenage boy in the Abu Ghraib prison. This appears to take the story of abuses at Abu Ghraib well beyond the well-publicized offensive photographs. The head of the coalition provisional authority – Paul Bremmer – has said those who took part in the abuses will be brought to justice. But that’s unclear. Earlier this month, Marketplace confirmed excerpts of documents that graphically describe the activities alleged at the prison. Graphic is an important word here. What we’re about to report may be disturbing to many. Our own Stephen Henn spent the last two weeks trying to trace evidence that the Army – or the private contractor, the Titan corporation – took action to hold the alleged rapist accountable.
It’s strange, but there don’t seem to be any “major” news organizations following up on this allegation, one which I consider to be the biggest bombshell of the abuse story thus far. Although there was a story earlier today about how coalition forces are seeking immunity from future prosecution under Iraqi law. Which is only fair, since according to the Marketplace story, all the contractors are already immune. The alleged rapist is apparently still drawing a salary and is working in Iraq… and he’s paid by our tax dollars. Sweet gig, eh?
But remember? There are no rape rooms in Iraq. However, it’s likely there are plenty of rape hooches.
And the media not following up on bad-news bombshells from Iraq is apparently nothing new.
Be that as it may, Marketplace is now following the money. It’s always a good idea to follow the money in an investigation – at least, it is in the movies.
The spoils of war add up to more than capturing expansive palaces and luxury cars. As Marketplace reporters have discovered, not all of the $22 billion being spent to rebuild Iraq is going where it should. Who’s watching the money as it streams through Baghdad? Just about no one, and bribes and black marketeering are rampant, witnesses say. A leading anti-corruption group claims that at least 20% of U.S. money spent in Iraq is being lost to corruption. From Halliburton subsidiaries charging double for gas, Iraqi officials and Arabic translators unrestrained from pocketing millions of dollars, or even members of the interim governing Council accusing each other of taking tens of millions in bribes.
That grinding sound you hear is that of a very large can of worms being opened.
However, our determined, courageous, morally clean but somewhat clumsy President wants us to focus on the future of a post-war Iraq. Pay no attention to the naked man behind the curtain.
There are no more rape rooms in Iraq. There are no more rape rooms in Iraq.
I feel much better now.
