Is he the man responsible for the atrocities at Abu Ghraib? Or is he merely the sacrificial lamb?

Question

Did anyone in the White House Know what this man was doing? Was he doing their bidding?

"HAGERSTOWN, Maryland (AP) -- The only U.S. military officer charged with a crime in the Abu Ghraib scandal will be court-martialed on eight charges, including cruelty and maltreatment of prisoners, the Army said Friday.

Lt. Col. Steven Lee Jordan, a 50-year-old reservist from Virginia who ran the interrogation center at the Iraqi prison, was accused of failing to exert his authority as the place descended into chaos, with prisoners stripped naked, photographed in humiliating poses and intimidated by snarling dogs. He was also charged with lying to investigators.

He has not been accused of personally torturing or humiliating prisoners, and was not pictured in any of the photos that embarrassed the Pentagon and shocked the Muslim world."

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/01/26/abu.ghraib.ap/index.html

Answer 1

Harry Truman said it best, and its a phrase which has lasted throughout the decades: "The Buck Stops Here". While not charged with personally torturing or humiliating prisoners, it happened on his watch and he apparently lied to investigators about what he knew.

As far as him being a 'sacrificial lamb', if he is, then a bunch of enlisted soldiers and a couple high ranking officers are too -(from your article link)-

"Eleven other U.S. soldiers -- all from the enlisted ranks -- have been convicted in the Abu Ghraib prison scandal, with former Cpl. Charles A. Graner Jr. receiving the harshest sentence, a 10-year prison term.

A general and other officers have received reprimands or demotions that ended or blighted their careers.

Since he was charged in April, Jordan has been on active duty with the Intelligence and Security Command at Fort Belvoir, Virginia."

Good Americans dont treat people like that, not even prisoners, no matter what the reason, We're Americans and we're better than that.

Answer 2

Ask some men who joined a frat in college if, in the time of hazing, they did no longer bear worse than Abu Ghraib. i'm appalled with the feigned disgust center Easterners instruct approximately Abu Ghraib, while their very own defense force, police stress, and governments do issues that make Abu Ghraib look like a tea party. that is thrilling to observe that most of the prisoners in Guantanemo have admitted that their circumstances are extra appropriate than lower back domicile. They continually have sparkling outfits, sturdy foodstuff, completely sanitized and comparatively mushy atmosphere. think of the circumstances a U.S. prisoner might bear. He'd probable have lesions throughout his epidermis from the deplorable circumstances, and fall unwell from the putrid foodstuff.

Answer 3

Definitely a sacrificial lamb. The guilty parties are in Washington DC.

Answer 4

Well... I dont have time right now to read the story, but taking it on what you described that sounds like sacrificial lamb to me.

Answer 5

Since there were no atrocities at the prison, he is the lamb. Too bad Americans can't be protected as well as our enemies are protected.

Answer 6

Rumsfeld authorized the use of torture.

That's why Bush advised him to resign before the truth could come out.

Answer 7

Sounds that way - but not knowing the details or the context I don't think it's fair to judge him.

Answer 8

OH YEAH!!! He's a Lamb alright.

Answer 9

Well, he was responsible but far fom being the on;y one. I'd say he was the whipping boy.

Answer 10

he's a lamb