Conservatives Exploit Torture for Political Gain

Rather than offer a compelling vision for restoring America's credibility in the wake of the Abu Ghraib torture scandal, conservative leaders are doing what they know best – ignoring their own incompetence, avoiding accountability, and exploiting raw emotions for political gain. In a feat of political logic, the conservative brain trust aims to convince skeptical Americans that the Bush administration has a grip on the situation by browbeating anyone who condemns the abuses and labeling critics as hostile to America.

• Conservatives disregard severe human rights violations and attack critics of torture as un-American. The failure of conservatives to comprehend the seriousness of the Abu Ghraib situation and respond accordingly is troubling. The move to tar critics of torture as hostile to American interests and our troops on the ground is downright disgraceful and reveals the incompetence and moral corruption of conservative leadership on the war in Iraq.
• President Bush needs to accept full responsibility for actions that humiliate all Americans and tell his surrogates to stop manipulating the Abu Ghraib story for political gain. The U.S. Constitution designates President Bush as the Commander in Chief of the nation's military. The abuses at Abu Ghraib are ultimately his responsibility. President Bush should recognize his responsibilities and tell supporters to stop attacking those who want America to uphold international human rights laws and fulfill its highest ideals.
• The administration should take immediate steps to show the world America is serious about responding to torture and human rights abuses. First, the president must demand Secretary Rumsfeld's resignation. Accountability for the failures at Abu Ghraib is paramount. Second, immediately convene an independent investigation of the abuses and offer corrective measures by the June 30 transfer of power. Third, establish an international committee to monitor prisons in Iraq and create a full database of prisoners so Iraqis can locate family members.

Click here to see our full recommendations for reforms at Abu Ghraib and other Iraqi prisons.

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