This Time They're Over the Line

Let's start out by getting a little perspective.

The abuse of prisoners is wrong, very wrong.

On the other hand, are you a demon fiendishly bent on torturing those who oppose you? Is anyone you know a demon fiendishly bent on torturing those who oppose them? Do you think that we, as citizens of the United States, are demons fiendishly bent on torturing those who oppose us?

Do you believe that the Democratic leaders who characterize the actions of a few in Iraq as a systemic problem with our nation and its people are anything but ham fisted politicians attempting to make political hay without regard for the consequences?

Your fellow Americans, who know their fellow Americans very well, don’t think so either.

Rassmussen
Nine-out-of-ten Americans have read, seen, or heard news stories about the abuse of Iraqi prisoners. Half of all voters (48%) believe that such abuses represent an isolated event. However, 29% believe such practices are fairly widespread.
The survey also found that 62% of Americans believe that Iraqis today are better off than they were when Saddam Hussein was in charge. However, 17% disagree with that assessment.

As an American, what do you think of the 29% who believe that prisoner abuse is a systemic problem? What is their worldview? What must they think of themselves, their neighbors, their country, in order to believe what they say they believe?

Who are the 17% that think Iraqis were better off under Saddam? What are they - nuts? No sane person could believe that Saddam was better than we are. Sadly Democratic Senator Edward Kennedy has placed himself firmly in the category of the insane.

Hugh Hewitt
Senator Ted Kennedy, on the floor of the United States Senate today:

"Protection of the Iraqi people from the cruelty of Saddam had become one the adminsitration's [sic] last remaining rationalizations for going to war....So it is human rights that the adminsitration[sic] turned to in order to justify its decision to go to war. On December 24, 2003, the day Saddam was captured President Bush said that 'for the vast of Iraqi coitizens[sic] who wish to live as free men and women this event brings further asssurance[sic] that the torture chambers and secret police are gone forever.' On March 19, 2004 President Bush asked 'Who would prefer that Saddam's torture chambers still be open?' Shamefully we now learn that Saddam's torture chambers reopened under new management, U.S. management."

Kennedy, as proxy number one for the presumptive Democratic nominee for President of the United States, John Kerry, has stepped way over the line. He has given our islamo-fascist enemies the “evidence” they need to incite their members to even greater violence by confirming their worst accusations. Al Jazzera, and other Arabic news outlets are going to replay those words and gloat for weeks to come. If I were Osama Bin Laden I'd put it in a recruitment video.

If he has a responsible bone in his body; if he can bring himself to think beyond the merely self-serving, shortsighted political motivation he has exhibited so far, John Kerry must denounce Kennedy's horrendous comparison of the United States to Saddam Hussein. Hillary Clinton must reject it. Responsible Democratic leadership (the names escape me) must tell the world that that is not who we are, nor what we want for the Iraqi people. Anything less is bad for our country and just plain wrong. Anything else is playing right into the hands of our enemies, and the enemies of freedom-loving people everywhere. Anything else is unacceptable.

Addendum:
Hugh Hewitt the man who inspired me to start this blog, has linked this article. Welcome Hugh Hewitt fans! While you're here take a look around.

Addendum:
Chris Muir, who draws the consistently excellent comic "Day By Day" graciously sent this preview of tomorrows strip. Check out his site.

Comments

[Michael]

Of course that 29% of Americans will all be voting for John Kerry, who has openly admitted that he personally committed war crimes himself.

[marc]

I have just heard Sen Imhoff give an excellant statement during the Taguba hearing. He took his time to slam all the partisans using this incident for political gain. He mentioned how Kerry hs placed a petition asking for Rumsfeld resignation and asking for donations. If you missed it track down the transcript

[John]

Kenney and Byrd are the Designated Democrat attack dogs. This is a planned strategy. Kennedy and Byrd are very old
Senators, Kennedy is Senator for life and Byrd is retiring. Their job is to make the most damaging attacks against Bush, regardless of personal backlash. They are, you might say, the Democrats suicide bombers.

[George Will]

I want to know who originally leaked the prisoner photos. I personnally feel it was a set up from the get go. Find out who that is and we will learn a lot about this situation.