JAG Memos

Do yourself a favor and read these memos - recently declassified (originally classified for no obvious reason whatsoever) - submitted by various JAG offices from each branch of the military. Before we go assuming that the military has been complicit in the Administration's promotion of questionable interrogation techniques, it's worth giving these a look. Interestingly, the withholding of these kinds of documents has in many ways implicated the military rank & file in the formation of these policies. In fact, it seems just the opposite (though they would have nothing to be ashamed of right?).

This excerpt says it all:

"4. I accept the premise that this group of detainees is different, and that lawyers should identify legal distinctions where they exist. It must be conceded, however, that we are preparing to treat these detainees very differently than we treat any other group, and differently than we permit our own people to be treated either at home or abroad. At a minimum, I recommend that decision-makers be made fully aware of the very narrow set of circumstances-factually and legally-upon which the policy rests. Moreover, I recommend that we consider asking decision-makers directly: is this the "right thing" for U.S. military personnel?"

What has become clear over the last few months is this: what was originally shrugged off as rogue behavior in one remote prison is, in fact, the result of policy that has been carefully put in place during Bush's term, at the behest of the Executive Branch.

What is also clear is that the Senate is going to step in and start trimming back this authority, whether Bush likes it or not.

Interesting how consistently this Administration, full of non-veterans and draft dodgers, has consistently ignored the recommendations of military commanders and, indeed, been willing to tarnish their image to promote their own ends.