Note To U.S. Military: Please Understand You're Being Used

Me, from last August:

[W]e're going to train a few Iraqis to go out there and take the brunt. They'll be able to violate human rights at will, and no one will be able to complain. They can say, hey, at least we're not Saddam. All the better if the 'insurgency' continues so the new government - backed by a strong American military presence - can impose dictatorial rule and prevent our nightmare of a popularly elected Sharia-based government.

The Guardian, now:

American military police yesterday raided a building belonging to the Iraqi ministry of the interior where prisoners were allegedly being physically abused by Iraqi interrogators. ...

Iraqi ministry of interior officials admitted that around 150 prisoners taken during a raid four days before in the Betawain district of Baghdad had been physically abused during their arrest and subsequent questioning.

(Via Digby. Emphasis added.)

First of all, everyone, please notice the non-response of the public to this story. The Iraqis fucking admitted they are abusing prisoners, okay? When Americans torture, it's a scandal. When our proxies torture, it's self-rule. Draw the appropriate conclusion.

Second: Look, American military people: you're a pawn in this game, okay? Whatever you think you're doing in Iraq, what's really happening is very different. You think you're trying to create a democracy and a peaceful society? You're not. You're there to provide the means to create a U.S.-aligned regime that can keep itself in power no matter what the people of Iraq want. Like Saddam, back when Saddam was our buddy who was killing Iranians. You're there to set up the new Saddam. Please try not to get your asses shot off participating in a farce. Don't try to be all heroic, it would just square the absurdity.

Comments

[Oldman]

Hey just wait until they bring back 'deathsquads'. I hear it's all the rage.

[Miel]

No one cared about the torture, really. It was the sex that caused the fuss. The nudity. With pictures. No pictures, no problem.

All the standing for hours, deprivation, solitary confinement, breaking people down--that was well known.

[eRobin]

Well, when they do bring back deathsquads, our man in Iraq, Negroponte, has plenty of experience covering them up..