Report probes (98) US custody deaths (in Iraq and Afghanistan)

[muriel_volestrangler]

The report, which is to be published on Wednesday, draws on information from Pentagon and other official US sources.

Human Rights First representative Deborah Pearlstein told Newsnight she was "extremely comfortable" that the information was reliable.

The report defines the 34 cases classified as homicides as "caused by intentional or reckless behaviour".

It says another 11 cases have been deemed suspicious and that between eight and 12 prisoners were tortured to death.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4738008.stm

Of course, we don't have pictures of most of these people tortured to death by US forces - which is why it's important that the pictures there are do get published, since photographic evidence is the only real thing that wakes up the western public.

[LynnTheDem]

1. 114 total US POW deaths from ALL causes during ALL of Vietnam.

US POW deaths, from ANY & ALL CAUSES, for the entire decade-plus of 'Nam?

114.

[saigon68]

4. That's because in Viet-Nam there were actually rules

And oversight

[LynnTheDem]

5. bush's America; WORSE than Hussein, WORSE than the Vietcong.

Gee makes me so fucking proud.

:sarcasm:

[Lori Price CLG]

2. Report says 98 dead in US custody in Iraq, Afghanistan

Report says 98 dead in US custody in Iraq, Afghanistan

Nearly 100 prisoners have died in US custody in Iraq and Afghanistan since August 2002, the Human Rights First organisation has said on BBC television.

At least 98 deaths occurred, with at least 34 of them suspected or confirmed homicides -- deliberate or reckless killing -- according to the group of US lawyers who will publish the report.

Their dossier claims that 11 more deaths are deemed suspicious and that between eight and 12 prisoners were tortured to death.

The number of deaths in custody discounts those due to fighting, mortar attacks or violence between detainees. They were directly attributable to their detention or interrogation in American custody, the BBC's Newsnight program said.

<snip>

Lori Price
http://www.legitgov.org/index.html#breaking_news

[LynnTheDem]

6. bushica 3 years; 98. Vietcong, 10+ years; 114.

If Hussein was "worse than Hitler", and BUSH has caused more deaths than Hussein has...

...what does that make bush?

[Judi Lynn]

3. Two-thirds of US detainee killings 'go unpunished'

Two-thirds of US detainee killings 'go unpunished'

22/02/2006 - 10:22:41

In only 12 of 34 cases has anyone been punished for the confirmed or suspected killings of US-held detainees in Iraq and Afghanistan, a US human rights group reported today.

The steepest sentence for any American soldier linked to a torture-related death has been five months in jail, said Human Rights First.

Beyond those cases, in almost half of 98 known detainee deaths since 2002 the cause was either never announced or reported as undetermined, the New York-based group said.

“In dozens of cases documented, grossly inadequate reporting, investigation, and follow-through have left no one at all responsible for homicides and other unexplained deaths,” it said in the 128-page report, based on military court records, news reports and other documents.
(snip/...)

http://www.eecho.ie/news/bstory.asp?j=142600540&p=y4z6xyyzx&n=142601149

[LynnTheDem]

7. Americans are human. Everyone else, esp terra-ists, are untermenschen.

And everyone in Afghanistan, Gitmo, Iraq et al are terra-ists. Even those 90% innocent in Abu Ghraib. And the women & children US troops kidnap. And the 70% innocent in Gitmo.

All sub-human terra-ists.

So don't worry, go shopping.

Hmmm. I sure do despise the bush regime.

[MsMagnificent]

8. Another similar article states:

http://www.africasia.com/services/news/newsitem.php?area=mideast&item=060222032741.dtax6tyw.php

22/02/2006 03:27 LONDON, Feb 22 (AFP)
Nearly 100 dead in US custody in Iraq, Afghanistan: report

Nearly 100 prisoners have died in US custody in Iraq and Afghanistan since August 2002, the Human Rights First organisation said ahead of the publication Wednesday of their report.

At least 98 deaths occurred, with at least 34 of them suspected or confirmed homicides -- deliberate or reckless killing -- the group of US lawyers told BBC television Tuesday.

Their dossier claims that 11 more deaths are deemed suspicious and that between eight and 12 prisoners were tortured to death.

However, charges are rare and sentences are light, the report said.

The report comes a week after new photographs of alleged prisoner abuse at Baghdad's notorious US-run Abu Ghraib prison emerged.

The report alleged that one person was made to jump off a bridge into the Tigris river in Iraq and another was forced inside a sleeping bag and suffocated.

<clip>

Article includes this astounding quote:

However, David Rivkin, a former White House legal adviser, said the numbers had to be put in perspective.

"(If) 10 people were tortured to death out of over 100,000 detainees in Iraq and Afghanistan" that was "a better rate" than in both world wars and "most civilian penal systems".

[muriel_volestrangler]

9. Wow. Here's his bio:

David B. Rivkin, Jr., is a member of the firm’s litigation, international and environmental groups. He has in-depth experience with various constitutional issues that are frequently implicated by federal regulatory statutes, including commerce clause-, appointments clause- and due process-related issues, as well as First and Tenth amendment-related matters. Mr. Rivkin also has practiced in the area of public international law and has extensive experience in international arbitration and policy advocacy on a wide range of international and domestic issues, including treaty implementation, multilateral and unilateral sanctions, corporate law, environmental and energy matters (with an emphasis on policy, regulatory and enforcement issues). He is also particularly knowledgeable about, and has been involved in, the handling of complex and contentious matters for clients that require the combination of lobbying, litigation and public relations and implicate difficult public policy issues.

http://www.bakerlaw.com/professionals/bio.aspx?id=11329

So he's an expert in constitutional issues, international treaties, lobbying, and excusing torture. I can't figure out why he wasn't Bush's choice for the Supreme Court or Attorny General.

[MsMagnificent]

10. Makes your skin crawl, doesn't it?

Yes, lesser deaths per capita are GOOD deaths! Who can argue with statistics? Even those individuals who lost their lives -- their count was less, that's all that matters.

--these alleged fewer deaths based on THEIR statistics, mind you.

Less is more; moreover he is implying they are superior, dare we say Humane in their torture!
Bush is the Chosen One of God to lead 'Murika, and 'Murika is Blessed by God.
Greed is Good.
War is Peace.

Ramen!

*going crazy over here*