War Crimes (washingtonpost.com)

War Crimes (washingtonpost.com)

Wow. I don't even know where to start on this subject. This editorial in today's Washington Post is a must-read detailing of the current proof that abuse of prisoners has been systemmatic and authorized. There are all kinds of things about which we can get outraged in the world, and each person has to choose his/her own way. It seems to me, though, that, as citizens, being outraged and demanding accountability on this one is mandatory. Nothing speaks more clearly to our communal position on fundamental human dignity and regard than how we react to abuses like these.

I've been stunned and dismayed for a while now that Donald Rumsfeld has remained in his position. While it's not entirely clear the role he has in this situation, any decent leader--Bush and Rumsfeld included--should recognize a fundamental moral obligation for Rumsfeld to resign even if he is and should be considered completely innocent of involvement in or responsibility for this disgrace (which the evidence makes doubtful). The obligation comes from a duty to protest, a duty to mark something as so unacceptable that one can no longer even afford or accept an association with it, and a sense that responsibility must ultimately stop with the leader, whether or not, in actuality, it does.

This is basic stuff. We have to get this right. We have to demand accountability. And we have to receive it.