JREGrassroots > Utah GI exposed abuses at prison

Full Version: Utah GI exposed abuses at prison

JREGrassroots > General Politics > Human Rights

jeebie

Aug 3 2005, 08:43 AM

QUOTE

Utah GI exposed abuses at prison
His reports were brushed off until fellow Utahn stepped in

By Matthew D. LaPlante
The Salt Lake Tribune

The Army captain appeared confused. "You're using 'sledgehammer' figuratively?" he asked the enlisted soldier sitting before him.

"No sir," the soldier replied, lifting his hands about 15 inches apart. "The handle of a sledgehammer, about this big . . . to assault the detainees with."

For Sgt. 1st Class Michael Pratt it would have been far easier to look away. If war is hell, after all, there are going to be some demons. And since hooking up with the Colorado-based 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment in Iraq in early 2003, the Utah National Guard soldier had learned it was simpler to ignore questionable actions than report them.

Full Article

ncMindy

Aug 3 2005, 07:50 PM

QUOTE

Army records show that apparent abuses of inmates at the makeshift prison, known as the Blacksmith Hotel, may have been ignored had Pratt not reported his concerns to Utah Guard officials, outside the chain of command of the unit to which he was temporarily assigned. The documents, transcripts from testimony given by Pratt in a closed hearing last March, also detail the soldier's struggles to do what he felt was right in the face of pressure to remain silent.

The record also illustrates a disturbing charge: That the unit with which Pratt found himself in Iraq was little interested in hearing an enlisted soldier's complaints and concerns about the mistreatment of Iraqi prisoners.

JMO, but if Bush and Rummy doesn't care the chain of command is broken.
This seems to be one of our problems.

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